Guardado’s Option
Okay, this isn’t so much a post as it is a thread for you guys, since Jason was the only saving grace for us abandoning you guys over the weekend.
The Mariners hold a team option for $6.5 million on Eddie Guardado for 2006. He has a player option for $4.25 million that he can opt to pick up if the M’s decline their team option. If both sides decline their options, he becomes a free agent.
What do you want to see the Mariners do with Eddie? Bring him back at $6.5 million? Turn down the option and put the ball in his court?
For what its worth, relief pitcher is by far the most saturated part of the upcoming free agent market. If Guardado did become a free agent, he’d be joining a talent pool that consists of a ridiculous amount of quality relievers. Among those are Billy Wagner, B.J. Ryan, Kyle Farnsworth, Bob Wickman, Todd Jones, Tom Gordon, Ryan Dempster, Trevor Hoffman, Guillermo Mota, Rudy Seanez, and Al Reyes. Even Ugueth Urbina and Jose Mesa get to carry around their Proven Closer cards.
Personally, I’d decline his option. If he picks up his player option, fine, he’s a nice buy at 1 year for $4.25 million. If he doesn’t, I’m willing to make a run at a guy like Farnsworth to replace him as my relief ace.
Comments
109 Responses to “Guardado’s Option”
#86 — Mesa’s option is not being picked up. The Pirates would not have removed him as their closer if they intended to bring him back next year for a relatively high price.
I personally would vote for Al Reyes or Rudy Seanez to be the next M’s closer. Both could probably be had on one- or two-year deals for less dough than the “proven closers” on the market and have been legitimately dominant at times this year. Despite the recent college-to-pros movement of Huston Street and Chad Cordero, let’s not forget that most successful closers out there are failed starters or are setup men who got promoted and suceeded in the new role. Way more often than not, closers are not born, they are made — by managers or by front offices who choose who pitches when in the game.
In the event where the Ms do not pick up his option, is there anything written on Eddie’s contract stating by which day he is supposed make his decision on whether or not he picks up his player option? If the Ms decide to go after a free agent reliever, this might affect how much time have to wait before being able to go after someone, by which time some of the better free agent relievers may have already signed with other teams.
I’m not a huge Eddie fan, but he seems to be well liked and generally gets the job done. I agree with those who don’t think he’s worth $6.5 million, however. Since the Mariners would undoubtedly rather focus on starting pitching and a left handed hitter this offseason, rather than risk losing him and/or pissing him off by declining his option, couldn’t they go to his agent and offer to split the difference between his option and theirs? Wouldn’t that make a certain amount of sense? Is there any reason they can’t do that?
This “loyalty” argument is ridiculous. The M’s doctor wanted Guardado to have surgery on his shoulder at the end of last year, but HE refused to do it and elected to pitch this year with a torn rotator cuff. Yes, he pitched well, but the team certainly didn’t push him to do it.
“A lie becomess truth if you believe it.”
Ayn Rand is going to kick your ass.
The more lefties in the Mariner bullpen, the better. That said, decline the option. Put it in Eddie’s court. If he picks it up, fine. If not go after Wagner and B.J. Ryan. Seems like a lefty closer at Safeco is to our advantage, considering righties have such difficulty hitting for power..
Come to think of it, come all lefties!! Hitters and pitchers!!
90. MSB. If Mike Morse and Rene Rivera are a big part of the Mariners’ future, I’m pissed off.
Colm,
I can understand Morse not being a big part of the future, but why wouldn’t Rivera be considered? Is his defence bad? I certainly don’t expect him to hit .390 for his career, but he seems like he has an acceptable bat. I don’t know his splits, so I coun’t say for certain, but he is young, and has had success.
Rene Rivera can’t hit. We’ve done several posts on this. Feel free to google for them. You can also look at Rivera’s minor league statistics. His 40 at-bats with the M’s this season are a statistical anomoly.