Roger Dorn wrote:

•One MLB official told ESPN.com’s Buster Olney that the Phillies would like to re-acquire a player they once drafted and developed. "You know who they want, right?" the official asked Olney. "They love Michael Bourn." Bourn also figures to draw interest from the Nationals when he hits free agency this offseason, and the Braves will likely have some interest in retaining him. Bourn and agent Scott Boras might have tremendous leverage as the three NL East teams bid for his services. Olney suggests Bourn figures to get a multiyear deal in the $16-22MM per season range, and I agree.

From MLB Trade Rumors today...can't wait to sign Bourn to a multi-year deal at $22 million/season.

Bourn=Hamilton? His stock is rising like crazy and I'm not sure why.

I'm thinking though that the Phillies might want to limit the players they have that make over 20 million for the sake of roster flexibility

I mean, isn't that more than Kemp got ffs. Where does trollney get this shit

Hamilton's performance has been on a downward trajectory the past couple of seasons.

not really true. his first 2 seasons were awesome, then he had a down year, then he had an amazing year. last year he was at .882, this year he's at .910. his .175 babip in july killed his OPS for the month.

yeah but what if he plays 89 and 101 games again and not even 120.

The Dude wrote:yeah but what if he plays 89 and 101 games again and not even 120.

you could say that about any player though. bourn is the other big name, and if he does his hamstring, that saps all of his value. as far as i know, hamilton doesn't have any major issues, its just the niggling issues. a tweak here, a tweak there.

games played/fwar

90 / 2.6
156 / 4.1
89 / 1.4
133 / 8.5
121 / 4.2
101 / 3.4 (this year)

he'll finish this year at 140ish games played probably, maybe more.

i honestly have no clue what he will look like in 5 or 6 years. im not concerned about the off the field stuff. it is what it is. predicting his free agent contract is nearly impossible because of how unique his situation is.

unless he craters, hes a 4 win player per year. that's "worth" $20M+. the upside is obviously much higher. he was an 8.5 win player in 2010 and he only played 133 games.

if there isnt a bidding war for him because teams are scared away, you might actually get him for a reasonable length/dollars.

i understand its really risky. but most free agent signings are really risky.

you can't say it about any player, bc that's what he's done in the last few years. his WAR may be great in those games, but it doesn't take into account the crappy player that fills his spot when he misses 40-60 games.

and i don't want bourn either, i don't want them to spend the money just bc they have it next year

i want them to spend money, but not necessarily on a long term deal unless it feels right. i think you have to make a push with doc and chase in the last year of their deals because its a bit uncertain after that

he has one of the prettiest, smoothest swings ive ever seen

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?conte ... p_klondike

All in on Hamilton. It'd be awesome if whatever people are worried about actually pushed his value down.

FTN wrote:not really true. his first 2 seasons were awesome, then he had a down year, then he had an amazing year. last year he was at .882, this year he's at .910. his .175 babip in july killed his OPS for the month.

You're right.

ReadingPhilly wrote:All in on Hamilton. It'd be awesome if whatever people are worried about actually pushed his value down.

i doubt it does. he's the best FA out there and its not even close. maybe in a more crowded market

Napalm wrote:

ReadingPhilly wrote:All in on Hamilton. It'd be awesome if whatever people are worried about actually pushed his value down.

i doubt it does. he's the best FA out there and its not even close. maybe in a more crowded market

but i think the issues will bring down the cost slightly.

i dont remember reading any speculation on what kind of offers texas has made to him or considered making to him.

Who else would even be a player at $20M+ aav?

ReadingPhilly wrote:Who else would even be a player at $20M+ aav?

edit: woops, misread

im sure the yankees will be involved.
dodgers of course, since they want everyone.
cubs possibly
angels?
rangers of course

thats basically it.

phdave wrote:When Buster and others talk about how the Phillies should have given away Cliff Lee they never consider two things: being competitive next year and selling tickets. They must assume that the Phillies are going to suck next year and no fans are going to show up even if they keep Lee so they might as well give him away.

and the thing that drives me nuts is points like Trollney's don't get challenged, they just move on till the decide to change the narrative

Damn I want some Phillies baseball

Just realized there is no game today.

Everyone's favorite federal prison parolee / racist scumbag is in all the comments section now ranting about ownership and acquiring Josh Hamilton.