Aaron Harang
While it was great news, let's not get carried away. The Reds had to sign this guy, or be seen as Pittsburgh. It wasnt some great gesture to you. It was a matter of retaining credibility. Harang took so much less than he's worth, the Reds should be laughing all the way to the treasury. He'll be making less over the 4 years than, um, Ted Lilly and Gil Meche. The 1st 2 years, he'll be making only a little more than Dunn makes this year. It's the MLB equivalent of Manhattan for beads. That said, congrats to Harang, a quiet, durable, level-headed guy who's capable of winning 20 games for a few years to come.
posted by Paul Daugherty at 9:19 AM
11 Comments:
at 11:52 AM 
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at 11:04 PM 
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at 8:04 PM 
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Post a Comment*Harang should fire his agent immediately. Compared to the deal that Lilly and company got this is a steal for the Reds. That being said it is a long way from all the lofty rhetoric of the new management team when they took over. Maybe in '09 when they have a truly competitive team I'll buy a ticket.
You do realize that he had two years of arbitration time remaining, right? It was a reasonably fair deal for both sides in light of that. The Reds lock up their best pitcher and he gets a guaranteed contract.
You can't compare this to the Lilly and Meche deals. They were free agents. Harang still had two arbitration years left. This was a good move for the Reds and Aaron Harang.
It is not fair to compare this contract to Lily's or Meche's because the Reds were guaranteed to get Harang for below the free agent value for the next two years. Harang is likely going to make less in '09 and '10 than he would if he continues to be a top-shelf starter over the next two years, but you have to price in some risk of an injury - this isn't the NFL where the money isn't guaranteed.
The bead line is hilarious.
"Harang took so much less than he's worth."
I still think it's an ironic statement when we are talking about paying a guy $36 mil. to throw a ball every fifth day. But, the market is what it is.
Yes, I know he has 2 years. I agree you cannot compare the Harang deal to Lilly and Meche. Lilly and Mech stink, Harang is a top line pitcher. The price of quality pitching is astronomical. If he sits tight even a year he has a lot more leverage because that puts more pressure on the Reds. If he is willing to wait both years he at least triples this deal. Even if he blows his arm out I bet some team would take a flyer on him for what he is getting now just based on past achievement. It's not about the money? Tell that to Castellini. This is sports in the 21st century. It is always about the money.
I am right there with you in a very jaded, hyperbolic way! Here we are dissectioning a multi-million dollar transaction between two grown men that we some how personalize as fans, and through media hype and sheer stupidity will pay out of our stupid leming wallets for. I don't know, regarding sport and the business thereof, us fans have become bitter victims. Maybe we all should forsake the big dollar world of "sports entertainment" and start attending NCAA Division III sporting events. Then we will realize just how crazy our societal obsession with sports has become.
11:04
While were going to these DIII games, lets not stop at Kings Island. Lets go down the slides at a local park instead. Lets not drink Coke...how about a cold Big K?! Who needs a car with air conditioning? Color TV? I have a radio.
What good does it do to support any NCAA event with your state of mind? Its all part of this big-money sports machine you seem to loathe.
You may not like it, but its a luxury. Most folks enjoy going to the game. If you get upset about the amount of money ballplayers make...then you must hate movies, TV, Ford, GM, 5th 3rd, etc.
Castellini putting down $70m over 2 days. That is good news. Solid baseball moves. I think that neither transaction would be considered Earth shattering, but very good, symbolizing the grinding approach of this stewardship.
I see an 85-77 season approaching. Given the climate here and results since Trader Jack's 1999, I say that's a respectable baseball club.
11:04 You are so off, I agree with 8:04. You need to rethink your stupid takes before you come into my house.
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