Kelvim Escobar $28.5 million - 3 year extension

[Pogotheostrich]

You all really think Escobar would get $10 million+ as a FA?

[RAmst23]

I think the whole middle of the road pitcher market is way overpriced. You have above average position players making less than average starting pitchers. Escobar isn't the most durable starter, as he's only started 30+ games twice in a season (99', 2004). Not sure a 30 million investment is a good idea.

There's so many average starters in the major leagues, it just didn't seem like smart business to sign a guy like this for 10 million... maybe spend a little more on some hitting Anaheim??

[Yoda]

You all really think Escobar would get $10 million+ as a FA?

Depends on how he finished out the season. Some notable 2006 pitcher salaries in millions > 7.5:

Mussina 19
RJ 13
Pavano 8
Wright 7.66
Schilling 13
Clement 9.82
Colon 14
Weaver 8.32
Vazquez 12
Contreras 9.5
Garcia 9
Buehrle 8
Garland 7
Pedro 14.8
Glavine 10.5
Lowe 9.5
Od Perez 8.75
Wood 12
Maddux 9
Hampton 14.5
Smoltz 11
Clemens 22
Petit 16.4
Oswalt 11
Schmidt 10.5
Washburn 7.5
Wolf 9.12
Lieber 7.5
Mulder 7.75
Benson 8.3
Halladay 12.75
Park 15.3
Millwood 7.86
Radke 9
Johan 8.75
Livan 8
Zito 7.9
Milton 9.83
Ru Ortiz 7.87
Sheets 9.6


I think Hudson and Burnett had a high signing bonus and is not up there. Not sure whoelse is on that boat but... Seems like Escobar would be worth at least 9 based on this list if he remained healthy and keep up the same numbers he has so far (probably more from a bigger market team). But if he pitched extremely well the rest of the way which is possible, then he could have commanded at least another 2 per season I would think.

[DevilDriver]

Kelvim definitely deserves this money IMO...unless, of course, he gets injured

[Pogotheostrich]

I think Hudson and Burnett had a high signing bonus and is not up there. Not sure whoelse is on that boat but... Seems like Escobar would be worth at least 9 based on this list if he remained healthy and keep up the same numbers he has so far (probably more from a bigger market team). But if he pitched extremely well the rest of the way which is possible, then he could have commanded at least another 2 per season I would think.

Millwood had big signing bonus too.

It just seems like a big risk to spend an average of $9.5 million a year on a 30 year old pitcher with a history of injuries. Did I mention he has only topped 200 innings once? I just didn't see him getting Burnett-like deal on the open market but like you said the rest of this year would have had a big influence on that.

[WittyC]

Kelvim definitely deserves this money IMO...unless, of course, he gets injured

This is the only reason why this contract might be steep -- injury concerns. But if he gets 25+ starts over the next three years, this will seem like a bargain. Kelvim is an excellent pitcher!

Also, consider that Burnett had the injury risks, too, and got that bloated contract the BJ's laid out for him. Still... everyone seems to be gambling on pitching these days. I mean, one of the best OBP guys in baseball got almost this exact same contract in the offseason when Giles re-signed w/ the Pads. As much as I like Kelvim, I think Giles is a much better asset over the next three years.

[Yoda]

I think Hudson and Burnett had a high signing bonus and is not up there. Not sure whoelse is on that boat but... Seems like Escobar would be worth at least 9 based on this list if he remained healthy and keep up the same numbers he has so far (probably more from a bigger market team). But if he pitched extremely well the rest of the way which is possible, then he could have commanded at least another 2 per season I would think.

Millwood had big signing bonus too.

It just seems like a big risk to spend an average of $9.5 million a year on a 30 year old pitcher with a history of injuries. Did I mention he has only topped 200 innings once? I just didn't see him getting Burnett-like deal on the open market but like you said the rest of this year would have had a big influence on that.

Yeah I didn't have the bonus info and as you already know, a lot of those pitchers on the list had at least 1M+ which would result in a lower per season salary.

After looking at the salaries, the contract does seem like it is on a higher side for a pitcher that is relatively unknown and hasn't had a big year to show his true potential. But I think that has a lot to do with the Jays yanking his chain by making him a starter then converting to a reliever, back to a starter, back to a reliever then back to a starter. He just hasn't had the chance to truly realize his potential and is still relatively young when everything is considered.

[RynMan]

It just seems like a big risk to spend an average of $9.5 million a year on a 30 year old pitcher with a history of injuries. Did I mention he has only topped 200 innings once?

This is exactly what I was going to say. With Lackey, Santana and Weaver, that is your starting 3 for the next 3 or 4 years and they won't cost the earth to retain. I don't know about Colon's contract but I'm sure Escobar at that money is unneccessary. With all the talent they have coming up at their positions, they are able to trade guys like Kotchman and McPherson for mid level starters to fill out their rotation.

It's not so much the amount that I don't like, it's the duration. Please, 2 years maximum on Escobar.

[Ditka311]

tonight aside, Contreras seems like a bargain.

wish they could take away the $7mil they pay Judy Garland though.

[RynMan]

wish they could take away the $7mil they pay Judy Garland though.