Wells is About to Sign an Extension

by mark w on Dec 15, 2006 4:23 AM EST in News Comment 8 comments

Ken Rosenthal reports that Vernon Wells is on the brink of signing a 7-year, $126 million extension with the Blue Jays. One item of note is that the contract, like the one given to A.J. Burnett, includes an opt-out clause.

In one of the bigger upsets of the off-season, the Blue Jays are on the verge of signing center fielder Vernon Wells to a seven-year, $126 million contract extension.
An agreement between the Jays and Wells is close, according to major-league sources. The deal is expected to include full no-trade protection and an opt-out clause.
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The deal also would reflect positively on Wells, who could have commanded a much bigger payout - perhaps as big as 10 years, $200 million - as a free agent next winter.
Wells, 28, will earn $5.6 million in 2007. His new contract would run from `08 to `14, and his ability to void the deal probably would come after year three or year four.

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More on Wells

I'll post my thoughts and expand on this by tonight. On the whole, it appears to a wise move, especially considering Wells' age. The inclusion of an opt-out clause is never a good sign, but at least he's under control for more than one season. As for the money, it's very high, especially for someone who's not quite in the upper echelon of talent. But the current market requires that we adjust our expectations, even if it doesn't seem all that logical.

by mark w on Dec 15, 2006 9:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I love Wells

but frankly, this deal is a surprise.

Wells is great, but he has only had 2 really splendid seasons with the bat and could end up in a corner in the next few seasons depending on how his body ages after 30. He's a big fella.

It seemed to me that the Jays had a ready replacement in Rios - if he can hold down defense in center, his bat is splendid for that position (assuming 2006 was not a fluke, which I don't think it was). Johnson could have also perhaps held down a regular CF job, his glove is up for the task and he is a good top of the order hitter. Rios is so cheap and so good that he is still a bargain in right, and so I guess the Jays figured even if they moved Rios to center, they would have to get another corner infielder as Rios/Johnson/Lind just isn't a good enough outfield for the AL East.

7yrs/126 for wells is not too terrible - and it would not be the worst thing in the world if he were to have a few great seasons and then opt out for another big payday. I just hope the Jays don't start cutting payroll after this deal like they did with Delgado's - he played great for the most part, but by his last year in T.O., they had cut payroll so far his deal was almost half the payroll (or so it seemed).

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Dec 15, 2006 10:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rios

At the end of the article I linked, Rosenthal mentioned the possibility of trading Rios for pitching. I'm still not entirely sold on Rios (I'm a tough sell, I guess, haha), but I agree that he's a very valuable player who shouldn't be overlooked.

by mark w on Dec 15, 2006 10:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Johnson

Of all the outfielders, I would rather trade Johnson, who should have a lot of trade value. He is a better player than Matthews and Pierre, and will be cheap for the next couple years. I expect Johnson to come back to earth next year but could net us at least an average starter.

by slitheringslider on Dec 15, 2006 11:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like that idea

but I am not as convinced as you about Johnson's trade value. He is a bit under the radar, for whatever reason, and would have to be marketed hard as a CF and compared to those two.

I could see Reed bringing back someone like Heilman or Madson or Wainwright (those teams don't need a CF, Reed would be dead useful for the Cards and Phils), but, while those guys would be helpful, I'm not quite sure it's really what we need. I don't see Reed netting someone like McCarthy or Haren, which I think Rios could maybe get done. Maybe.

Chicago has pitching, and they might get desperate enough to trade McCarthy for Reed, but I think that's probably just wishful thinking on my part. I think it would take Rios, if even that were enough.

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Dec 15, 2006 11:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think

your value of Reed Johnson is too high. Although he is a decent player, he will not bring the players you mentioned above.

by ReLaunch on Dec 16, 2006 10:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

you are

probably right about that. That was actually what I was trying to say in my post, but then I got a bit carried away thinking about what he might get back.

I could see him getting a good pen arm, but probably not a good young one like those I mentioned. (you never know though. ) Rios, on the other hand, I do think teams would pony up for.

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Dec 16, 2006 1:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

According to

this, the Jays plan to package either Rios or Johnson and a pitching prospect for a middle of the rotation pitcher, assuming Wells signs.

I'm not sure how crazy I am about that thinking. Obviously, it depends on the pitcher, but if we're looking at a Johnson/McGowan for Garland swap or something along those lines, I'm not going to be very happy. I just don't like the sound of "established middle of the rotation starter" - it suggests a bit of mediocrity. Perhaps worth Johnson, but not a pitching prospect, and not Rios.

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Dec 15, 2006 11:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

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