Gallardo, Under Control through 2013?

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

I realize its only been 5 starts so far this season, but 4 of the 5 have been great, and Yo looked absolutely amazing today. The question is, at what point do the Brewers try and lock him up? My first thought was the offseason (Winter 2011) where we still controlled him for two more seasons. I hate to extend a long term contract to a pitcher (more than four years), especially one that has yet to pitch a full MLB season, but I also realize the more MLB success that Yo has, the higher the price will be. Assuming he gets a raise to $600-800k next year, and likely $6-8 million in arbitration in 2011, what type of contract would be neccesary to buy out 2 years of arby and 2 years of FA? Yo will be 27 when he becomes a free agent. Locking him up through 2 years of free agency would mean the Brewers control his 27-29 or "peak" years. I'm not advocating we sign him now, or even this offseason, but I'm really excited about his potential and really don't want to go into his walk year without an extention.

 

Would 4/50 in 2011 be enough? Assuming he develops, he could be another 7/140 pitcher in about 2013 and beyond our price range.

[Tailgat0r76]

I was calling for the 15-year deal this offseason; but since that didn't happen...

 

Is it completely unreasonable to start talking extensions now? The only reason I ask is with the low dollar amounts free agents got this offseason; it would be great to use those as baselines for negotiations. Who knows when the economy turns around and the pitchers start getting astronomical figures again. I definitely want to see him locked up; he's a complete player. Pitching, Defense, Offense, athleticism; he's got it all.

[GamelToe]

It's unwise to lock up a young pitcher for very long-term when we already have him under team control for a long time. So many things can go wrong.

[Invader3K]

It's unwise to lock up a young pitcher for very long-term when we already have him under team control for a long time. So many things can go wrong.

Yeah...I definitely think they shouldn't talk about anything sooner than before his first year of arbitration.

[PlayerHader]

You have to figure that we have him signed right now for something like 5 yrs, 30-35 million. Think we can get him to sign a better deal than that?

[TheCrew07]

I think the opposite...lock him up right now to a James Shields type deal, get some years of FA with an option or 2. Get the cost certainty, with longevity and a team discount, then they can focus their attention elsewhere.

[Hate those Rodents]

Jeff D'Amico and Nick Neugebauer would also like the premature extension. I don't think Gallardo follows in their footsteps, but there is no reason to risk a looooooooooooong term deal when we already have a long term deal with Yo in my eyes.

[Invader3K]

Jeff D'Amico and Nick Neugebauer would also like the premature extension. I don't think Gallardo follows in their footsteps, but there is no reason to risk a looooooooooooong term deal when we already have a long term deal with Yo in my eyes.

I agree. In the world of baseball's guaranteed contracts, it's much too risky to give him a contract at this point.

[TheCrew07]

Yes but if he stays healthy then we're shortening the window he actually stays in Milwaukee, which is why the options help.

James Shields rhp

4 years/$11.25M (2008-11), plus 2012-14 club options

 

* 4 years/$11.25M (2008-11), plus 2012-14 club options

o signed extension with Tampa Bay 1/23/08

o 08:$1M, 09:$1.5M, 10:$2.5M, 11:$4.25M, 12:$7M club option ($2M buyout), 13:$9M club option ($1.5M buyout), 14:$12M club option ($1M buyout)

o value of 2012-14 club options may increase package to $38M

o performance bonuses based on innings pitched, starts, and Cy Young voting may increase package to $44M

* 1 year/$0.3949M (2007)

o re-signed 3/07

* 1 year (2006)

o contract purchased 11/05

* ML service: 2.125

 

I would be absolutely thrilled with that contract, if Gallardo got hurt they'd be on the hook for less than 10 million dollars total, and look at how reasonable those option years are through 2014. That's the kind of deal you sign the guy whom you expect to anchor your staff to. This is the year to do it, even though Yo didn't pitch last year he still earned service time, he's a stud.

[Invader3K]

OK, if you are talking those kinds of dollars and structuring, then I can see it. Do you honestly think Gallardo would take it at this point, though?

[Fatter than Joey]

Do you honestly think Gallardo would take it at this point, though?

 

He may --Look at that injury he suffered last year -- If Prince would have steamrolled his arm, he might have been done.

 

Yo would only be 30 or so. He still could go get his 100 M contract if he pitched well.