<$BlogRSDURL$>

Dave's Mostly Mets Blog

1/05/2005

It Aint' Over 'Til It's Over 

Everyone is making a big deal over the Mets offer to Carlos Beltran. While I agree that it's very encouraging to see the Wilpons take such an aggressive step I believe it's way too early to celebrate (as many fans are doing already). Even if the offer is as good as people say and makes the Mets the highest bidder you can't get too happy until his signature is on the contract.

Houston has until midnight Saturday to negotiate with Beltran and you know that Astros owner Drayton McLane will use every minute of negotiating time he has. McLane is a businessman and knows how to negotiate. You make an offer or two to your free agent. The free agent shops around and sees what else he can get from other teams. If the free agent likes your team then he'll bring those offers back to you and give you a chance to beat them before making a final decision. This is the script and it is being followed to the T in this scenario. McLane, Beltran and Beltran's agent, Scott Boras, will have many conversations over the next few days and you can bet that Houston's offer will get better. Will it be good enough to make Beltran turn down the Mets' offer? We won't know until Saturday night.
What I'm Reading
MLB Scoreboard


















Google
WWW
golddave.com