JFLNYC wrote:

JFLNYC wrote:

cartersDad26 wrote:

JFLNYC wrote:The article mentions their are incentives in the deal, so they may have made the difference in his decision to take the deal.

probably involving the worst stat in sports - the Hold?

Also might be saves, on the theory that if Lidge goes down, Madson might have to step in and close.

The deal calls for Madson to receive a $1 million signing bonus, $2 million this season, $4.5 million in 2010 and $4.5 million in 2011. He can earn $1.5 million annually in performance bonuses if he becomes a closer: $150,000 each for 30, 35, 40 and 45 games finished; $200,000 each for 50 and 55, and $250,000 each for 60 and 65.

DiamondDerby wrote:I suspect Madson's velocity increase was two things. First, he paced himself when he was starting and he may not have adjusted naturally back to throwing harder when he resumed his relief role. Second, he had some tendinitis or something like that in 2007 and Phils criticized his unwillingness to pitch more than one inning, commenting that he needed to let loose. I suspect it took him until mid-year 2008 to really trust that he could let loose. Lo and behold, his physical maturity over the last few years then matched his mental ability to let loose and other factors, such as his mechanics and ironing out his other pitches. We could have a backup closer here.

Trent Steele wrote:

JFLNYC wrote:

JFLNYC wrote:

cartersDad26 wrote:

JFLNYC wrote:The article mentions their are incentives in the deal, so they may have made the difference in his decision to take the deal.

probably involving the worst stat in sports - the Hold?

Also might be saves, on the theory that if Lidge goes down, Madson might have to step in and close.

The deal calls for Madson to receive a $1 million signing bonus, $2 million this season, $4.5 million in 2010 and $4.5 million in 2011. He can earn $1.5 million annually in performance bonuses if he becomes a closer: $150,000 each for 30, 35, 40 and 45 games finished; $200,000 each for 50 and 55, and $250,000 each for 60 and 65.

Games finished? Boras got punked by Rube.

JFLNYC wrote:

Trent Steele wrote:
Games finished? Boras got punked by Rube.

You do realize how rare it is to reach those GF numbers, don't you? Over the last 10 years, only one Phillies non-closer reached even the lowest benchmark (i.e., 30 GF).

kruker wrote:

JFLNYC wrote:

Trent Steele wrote:
Games finished? Boras got punked by Rube.

You do realize how rare it is to reach those GF numbers, don't you? Over the last 10 years, only one Phillies non-closer reached even the lowest benchmark (i.e., 30 GF).

You do realize that's why Trent said, "Boras got punked BY Rube", don't you?

JFLNYC wrote:

kruker wrote:

JFLNYC wrote:

Trent Steele wrote:
Games finished? Boras got punked by Rube.

You do realize how rare it is to reach those GF numbers, don't you? Over the last 10 years, only one Phillies non-closer reached even the lowest benchmark (i.e., 30 GF).

You do realize that's why Trent said, "Boras got punked BY Rube", don't you?

Good point. My humble apologies to Trent.

Madson also cited a frank conversation he had with pitching coach Rich Dubee during spring training. Dubee questioned Madson's level of preparation. He challenged the pitcher and told him that he had too good an arm to be a pedestrian reliever. Dubee told Madson, a husband and father of three young children, that he had the potential to be one of the best setup men in baseball and enjoy the financial rewards that go with it if he improved his commitment and performance.

"I told him, 'You're cheating yourself and your family,' " Dubee said in October. "He hadn't stepped up. He has a total-package arm, but he hadn't pitched to his capabilities. I felt he should know."

"It had an impact, absolutely," Madson said in October.

Madson's contract may have surprised some folks, as Scott Boras clients aren't seen as likely to give up free-agent years. But while Madson showed closing potential late last season, he was throwing only 91 mph earlier in the year. Boras is said to have been in favor of Madson taking that deal based on personal circumstances. Madson has three young children and was understandably looking for security.

kruker wrote:

Madson's contract may have surprised some folks, as Scott Boras clients aren't seen as likely to give up free-agent years. But while Madson showed closing potential late last season, he was throwing only 91 mph earlier in the year. Boras is said to have been in favor of Madson taking that deal based on personal circumstances. Madson has three young children and was understandably looking for security.

Heyman.

Woody wrote:Sure bake, you or I would be set for life. But don't forget Ryan has an insatiable appetite for PPV pr0n

Bakestar wrote:

Woody wrote:Sure bake, you or I would be set for life. But don't forget Ryan has an insatiable appetite for PPV pr0n

PPV or POV? Or both?