From what I've read, it seems as though the overall reaction to this extension is very positive. Of course, with almost every move, there are pros and cons associated with it. I say almost because exceptions like Tampa Bay's acquisition of Scott Kazmir a while back occur every now and then. Sorry to open old wounds, Mets fans.
The pros associated with this deal are rather obvious, since Roy Halladay is a supremely talented pitcher who will, in all likelihood, remain productive for years to come.
The cons aren't related to his performance, but rather the timing of the extension and the negative stigma associated with granting pitchers long-term deals.
It's obvious that J.P. Ricciardi didn't have to grant Halladay an extension with two years remaining on his current deal, but it's not as if he didn't benefit from it. At roughly $13.3 million a season from '08-'10, Halladay will likely be paid less than he's worth. On the other hand, since pitchers are always injury risks -- other than certain freaks of nature like Livan Hernandez and Mark Buehrle -- this contract may become an albatross. I understand both sides of the argument, but players of Halladay's ilk are few and far between, so having him under contract -- rather than risking his departure after '07 -- is certainly defensible.
Moving along, here are what some others had to say about this matter:
"No problem. I was either going to wake up rich or richer."
- Mike Norris, after losing in salary arbitration
Richard Griffin from the Toronto Star wrote that Halladay chose comfort over cash:
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Don Sutton
Mike Rutsey from the Toronto Sun includes various quotes in his article. Among them is one in which Halladay expresses his feelings towards loyalty:
"For a hundred years the owners screwed the players. For 25 years the players have screwed the owners - they've got 75 years to go."
- Jim Bouton
Geoff Baker from the Toronto Star points out what many Blue Jays fans are thinking: What about Vernon Wells?
Wells, who is owed $9.9 million (U.S.) through 2007, raised eyebrows this week by saying -- though he later tried to clarify the remarks -- that he could see himself playing alongside Texas Rangers shortstop Mike Young, his former minor-league teammate, in a couple of seasons.
"I think the one thing in (Halladay's) case is that he made it clear he wanted to stay here," Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi said. "If we get that clarity from Vernon, then we'll proceed the same way."
If that clarity comes, Ricciardi says the team will most likely look to doing something after the 2006 season.
With this extension, as well as the various other long-term signings from this offseason, here are the players who are under contract during the years '08 to '10.
Since I can't get enough of them, here are some more great money-related quotes from years past:
"Money and women. They're two of the strongest things in the world. The things you do for a woman you wouldn't do for anything else. Same with money."
- Satchel Paige
"I'm so poor I can't even pay attention."
- Ron Kittle, 1987
And here's one that's especially relevant on St. Patrick's Day:
"Ninety percent I'll spend on good times, women, and Irish whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."
- Tug McGraw, on his plans for his $75,000 salary
A very grateful thank you to Cot's Baseball Contracts for providing up-to-date MLB contracts and delightfully humourous quotes.