RockieBill
12-17-2003, 09:40 AM
As I had hoped, the money they 'saved' by turning over the closer duties to Chacon looks to be re-directed in an effort to sign Payton. This is something the Rockies need to get done - they can't afford to let left field remain a black hole forever.
From the <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/rockies/article/0,1299,DRMN_19_2511198,00.html">Rocky Mountain News</a>
The outfielder (Jay Payton) was given a one-year contract offer that is in line with what free-agent outfielders have been able to command on the open market this off-season.
General manager Dan O'Dowd said he is reluctant to discuss the negotiations with Payton, but what seems certain is that Payton either will be signed by Saturday night or he won't return to the Rockies.
Saturday night is the deadline for teams to tender contracts to players. With Payton having arbitration leverage, the Rockies have indicated their budget will not allow them to take that salary gamble with him.
As it is, club ownership made a major concession to allow O'Dowd to make a serious proposal to Payton. O'Dowd has been operating under a budget that allowed him only $10 million to sign 20 players, with $51.1 million committed to the five other players - outfielders Larry Walker and Preston Wilson, first baseman Todd Helton, pitcher Denny Neagle and catcher Charles Johnson.
O'Dowd has less than $1 million earmarked for the starting left fielder, but it is believed the offer to Payton included several creative ideas and is worth in excess of $3 million. The projection is that Payton could command $3.75 million in arbitration.
From the <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/rockies/article/0,1299,DRMN_19_2511198,00.html">Rocky Mountain News</a>
The outfielder (Jay Payton) was given a one-year contract offer that is in line with what free-agent outfielders have been able to command on the open market this off-season.
General manager Dan O'Dowd said he is reluctant to discuss the negotiations with Payton, but what seems certain is that Payton either will be signed by Saturday night or he won't return to the Rockies.
Saturday night is the deadline for teams to tender contracts to players. With Payton having arbitration leverage, the Rockies have indicated their budget will not allow them to take that salary gamble with him.
As it is, club ownership made a major concession to allow O'Dowd to make a serious proposal to Payton. O'Dowd has been operating under a budget that allowed him only $10 million to sign 20 players, with $51.1 million committed to the five other players - outfielders Larry Walker and Preston Wilson, first baseman Todd Helton, pitcher Denny Neagle and catcher Charles Johnson.
O'Dowd has less than $1 million earmarked for the starting left fielder, but it is believed the offer to Payton included several creative ideas and is worth in excess of $3 million. The projection is that Payton could command $3.75 million in arbitration.