Marte option declined

by Travis G on Nov 6, 2008 8:03 PM EST in News Comment 6 comments

In a surprising move, Damaso Marte's $6 million option was declined. This was a guy the Yankees had wanted for years, so I don't quite understand it. I know Phil Coke was phenomenal in limited action, but as the old axiom goes: "Don't put too much stock into March or September." Rosters are watered down, teams aren't playing as hard, etc.

They'll probably offer him arbitration, thereby assuring themselves a first round draft pick if he signs elsewhere. But if he accepts arbitration, his salary might actually go up (look at Scott Linebrink).

UPDATE 11/7 1:30 p.m.:

Negotiations are underway with Marte for a new deal worth about $12 million over 3 years.

0 recs | Comment 6 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

very interesting move

are the yanks trying to cut costs here? But if they offer him arb then he could get paid more?? Man…I’m confused on this one. I say they give him another season to see what we have.

by kdog on Nov 6, 2008 10:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i think it's the right move

$6 million is too much for this guy. And quite frankly, he didn’t exactly impress the hell out of me in Pinstripes.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Nov 7, 2008 9:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I support the move ...

Marte didn’t impress me, either. Coke was superior. $6 extra large for a relief specialist is abit much for what we actually got. Hey, fire a few secretaries and George Costanza if it means more cash to land CC.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Nov 7, 2008 9:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

right move, likely to stay

actually, this is a no-brainer, even though they likely intend to keep him

The option was for $6 million but his salary this year was only $2 million. When we offer him arbitration, then he either goes somewhere else and we get two picks, 1st round of signing team and a sandwich pick (before 2nd round), OR, if he accepts arbitration, he gets a raise, but on his $2 million salary, NOT his $6 million option. In other words, his arbitration raise would still likely be no more than $2.5-$3 million, making declining the option an absolute no-brainer.

They can also negotiate a longer term deal, at lower than $6 million annually, and rumors suggested Cashman and Marte were in fact discussing that…

Right move any way you slice it, and we either get him for a more reasonable deal, or get two extremely valuable picks… win-win either way…

by Moonlight Graham on Nov 7, 2008 12:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs