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sox working on extensions for both Jenks and Cabrera


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Sox in Brief: Extension for Jenks in works

 

January 26, 2008

BY JOE COWLEY [email protected]

White Sox general manager Ken Williams is among the first to admit mistakes were made last offseason -- namely that he discounted the effect that pending free agency would have on players such as Jermaine Dye and Mark Buehrle.

 

Williams is already trying to avoid a repeat of that situation.

 

The Sun-Times learned Friday that the Sox and closer Bobby Jenks began preliminary talks last month on a contract extension for the right-hander.

 

While Jenks didn't want to offer details on who initiated those talks, he did confirm that ''during the winter meetings, there were some feelers thrown back and forth, so we'll see.''

 

Jenks is still years away from free agency, but considering his resume already, locking up the 26-year-old wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

In saving 40 games last year, he became the first pitcher in Sox history with at least 40 saves in back-to-back seasons.

 

''To be honest, I'm not real worried about it,'' Jenks said of his contract status. ''I go out there and do my job. If they do it, great. If I have to still go out and continue to prove myself, I'll do that too.''

 

Williams said the Sox also plan to start talks with free agent-to-be Orlando Cabrera in spring training to make sure the shortstop is not a one-and-done situation.

 

''There's desire on his part to talk,'' Williams said. ''That's something I want to get on once we get to spring training. That's something I want to get done.''

 

 

 

 

 

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QUOTE(TheBigHurt @ Jan 26, 2008 -> 01:57 AM)
Hmm... if we sign OCab, does that mean Uribe may gone for sure?

 

I think it is safe to say that Uribe is gone either way. He may stick around and play second base/super-utility this year, but I dont think he is getting back his shortstop position after this year

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QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Jan 26, 2008 -> 12:25 PM)
Extending Jenks would be foolish; I hope he's telling the trooth.

Why would that be foolish? Top caliber closers dont exactly grow on trees. I think its more foolish to extend Ocab, I would like those draft picks that he should bring.

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QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jan 26, 2008 -> 12:29 PM)
Why would that be foolish? Top caliber closers dont exactly grow on trees. I think its more foolish to extend Ocab, I would like those draft picks that he should bring.

He's under team control for 4 more years, there should be no rush to guarantee him any money beyond 2008. Considering the volatility of the closer position in general as well as Jenks' history of arm trouble it would be foolish to guarantee $30M+ to him just so you can buyout his first year of free agency.

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QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jan 26, 2008 -> 12:33 PM)
He's under team control for 4 more years, there should be no rush to guarantee him any money beyond 2008. Considering the volatility of the closer position in general as well as Jenks' history of arm trouble it would be foolish to guarantee $30M+ to him just so you can buyout his first year of free agency.

 

Absolutely.

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QUOTE(Greg The Bull Luzinski @ Jan 26, 2008 -> 03:13 PM)
Just for s***s and giggles, what shall we say is a reasonable contract for an SS in his 30's, named Orlando Cabrera?

3 years 27 mil

Edited by shipps
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QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 26, 2008 -> 04:04 PM)
On the FA Market I think he'd get more than that. If he'd sign for that I'd go for it, but I'd expect it would take a down year for him to come into that range. 3/$30 or 4/$40 might be more realistic.

 

After seeing what Furcal got a year ago, that might be low.

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QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 26, 2008 -> 03:16 PM)
After seeing what Furcal got a year ago, that might be low.

That was 2 years ago actually, but with some mitigating circumstances. Furcal was 28 at the time I believe, Cabrera will be 34 if he hits the FA market. Furcal wanted to go about 5/$50 or so, but the Dodgers got him to take a shorter deal by upping the yearly dollars. Might be a bit low, but you certainly have to take the age in to account, especially if you're offering to extend him before he even plays an at bat with your team.

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I only posed the question because I have a suspicion that Cabrera's next contract is going to be a hair to rich for the Sox tastes. It will be interesting to reflect on these predictions next year when Cabrera next contract pays him over 10 mil a season well into his mid-30's. Just speculation, but seems to me the type of contract the Giants like writing.

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QUOTE(knightni @ Jan 26, 2008 -> 05:31 PM)
10 mil a year is too much for him.

Not in this market. And if an extra $2 million a year is the difference between us having Ramirez/Ozuna at SS next year and having Cabrera...well, Ramirez would have to be better than a backup for that to make sense.

Edited by Balta1701
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QUOTE(knightni @ Jan 26, 2008 -> 05:41 PM)
I'd rather have Ramirez there next year than a 35/36 year old Cabrera.

That depends on what I can get from Ramirez. Let's put it this way, would you rather have Uribe there for the next 3 years or Cabrera? Now, assume that Ramirez produces roughly at Uribe's level. Would you still want Ramirez? How much above Uribe's level does he need to produce before you switch to him?

 

If he comes out and shines, fine, wonderful. If he's average, ok. But if he's in Uribe territory, then that's a pretty big weak link.

Edited by Balta1701
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QUOTE(knightni @ Jan 26, 2008 -> 07:31 PM)
10 mil a year is too much for him.

 

If it costs $10 mil for Cabrera, I'd rather go after Furcal. Considering Cabrera had a horrible 2nd half, and would be 35 and 36 in the final years of the contract (given a 3 year deal), he could easily be Vizquel part 2. At this point, I'd much rather take the draft picks for Cabrera, and spend a little more on a younger Furcal.

 

EDIT: Although, I guess we would lose a draft pick(s) by signing Furcal, but either way, I'd much rather tie up big bucks into Furcal rather than Cabrera.

Edited by sircaffey
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QUOTE(The Beast @ Jan 26, 2008 -> 05:53 PM)
What would the Sox pay Jenks in terms of an extension?

It depends on the years. Clearly the Sox would be trying to buy out his arbitration years and maybe a year of FA, but they'd certainly be wanting a discount in exchange for giving him the money certainty.

 

With Bobby's background, I think he'd be of the sort where this deal would make sense for both sides, the Sox get to lock up a closer for several years and Bobby gets enough money for his family to live comfortably no matter what. But you have to think something like Joe Nathan's contract's yearly values would be where the Sox would like to go (something like $6-7 million a year for several years if he gives up a year of FA).

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QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 26, 2008 -> 08:00 PM)
It depends on the years. Clearly the Sox would be trying to buy out his arbitration years and maybe a year of FA, but they'd certainly be wanting a discount in exchange for giving him the money certainty.

 

With Bobby's background, I think he'd be of the sort where this deal would make sense for both sides, the Sox get to lock up a closer for several years and Bobby gets enough money for his family to live comfortably no matter what. But you have to think something like Joe Nathan's contract's yearly values would be where the Sox would like to go (something like $6-7 million a year for several years if he gives up a year of FA).

 

Which would be absolutely unnecessary and ridiculous. Pay him as little as possible with as little committment as necessary possible.

Edited by Gregory Pratt
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