Dec. 20: Is it always the money?
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- December
- 20
I wrote, that it is always the money, and despite several posts in disagreement, I stand by that. Yes, there are other reasons why a player would leave a team as a free-agent. Among them:
1. A chance to play fulltime, but playing fulltime over part time would always entail a bump in pay. How could it not?
2. A chance to play at home at the end of one’s career. Well, that’s what Andy Pettitte said. But, for a couple of million more – even though he already is set for two lifetimes – he’s leaving Houston again.
3. Leaving a bad situation. What’s a bad situation? Not enough money? Not playing fulltime? Playing a position you don’t want? All these reasons could prompt a player to leave, but I’d bet they’d suck it up and stay if the money were right.
Maybe I’m too jaded, but few players pass on the money. Cal Ripken and Kirby Puckett gave up more on the open market to stay home, but they were exceptions and special players. Both achieved icon status in their cities and had other avenues of revenue for staying home.
I’m talking the routine free-agent, and in the end money talks loudest.
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I agree.
Dave
Bobby Bonilla wasn't about the money. When he played, it was for the love of the game and the admiration of the fans.
To BennyAyala (RE: Bobby Bo)
Sorry Benny, can't agree with you on that one. When Bonilla bolted the Pirates for the Mets, he left a winning team for a losing one. He also left for $30 million, which at the time was a monster contract. That's nothing now.
But Bobby did it, not for the love of money, but for the love of the fans. Everything Bobby did, outside of cashing those hefty paychecks, he did for others. He was perhaps the most caring, loving man ever to don a big-league uniform. And if you don't agree with me, I'll show you the Bronx to prove it.