The business of blogging
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jun 18, 2007 
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Erin Gurney of Ballhype.com asked me to join Michael Rand (Minneapolis Star-Tribune), Dan Shanoff (formerly of ESPN.com) and Dan Steinberg (Washington Post) to do a roundtable discussion about sports blogging.
Thanks to Erin for inviting me to join in.
Great discussion, Pete.
Congrats on all your personal success with the blog. It can’t be easy trying to wear both hats simultaneously. Your blog has contributed so many more human interests stories about our team, and for that, I thank you!
Pete,
I’ll echo Stef, above. This blog provides that something extra, and I particularly enjoy the debates you’ve started among your readers. I’ve loved baseball for a long time, and since I’ve started reading this blog, I’ve learned so much and it only adds to the love of not only the Yankees but the game in general.
Pete,
You say in the article that one of the advantages of the blog is that “you find out quickly what people want to read about… and what they care about.” How about putting up a poll asking readers if they like to hear the “A-Rod will opt out” narrative you’ve been harping on since the start of the season? That way, if the people hate it, you’ll never have to mention it again. Consider it a democratic argument for and against Heyman-itis.
Slick:
I’ve posted enoughly 800 times since the start of the season. I haven’t counted but I would guess I’ve written about A-Rod opting out less than 75 times. I would suggest that isn’t “harping” on the issue.
Beyond that, whether you like it or not, it is an issue. The guy has Scott Boras as his agent and he has that clause in his contract. If you think he’s going to say “I don’t want any more money” at the end of the season, you’re just being naive.
a-rod’s bags are packed .
Anybody who thinks Arod isn’t opting out is insane.
He’s opting out. Why wouldn’t he? The industry is flush with money, he is in the prime of his career, and he is having a magical season.
Does that mean he isn’t coming back to NY? Too early to say.
The Yankees haven’t lost too many, “in their prime” players in the Steinbrenner Era.
At this point, anybody predicting where Arod is ending up next year is just whistling in the wind. Nobody knows.
However, opting out? That’s happening, whether the naive folks want to believe it or not.
There is one way that A-Rod isn’t opting out. If the Yankees pre-emptively offer an extension with signficantly more $ (and that way keeping alive the Rangers subsidy for the present balance of his contract)
I keep reading in the paper that Joe wants to put Posada on 1st and Damon in center. Does Joe realize that this is COLORODO, I can hit there. We should keep our best fielders in and assume we will score with a half a team, especially since our hottest hitters right now are 3,4,5 anyways!
Worst come to worst, you have Posada pinch hit late in the game for Nieves and Damon for Cabrera. Moose pitches better to Nieves and we need Moose at his best in Coors Field.
He won’t sign it. He’s a Scott Boras client. At this point, it makes no sense to take an extension when you can test the market.
Also, how does Cashman offer an extension to Arod now and not Posada and Mo?
He’s testing the market because Scott Boras knows he can create an amazing market for him.
The three major markets, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles all bidding for the best player in the game.
Its an agents and players dream. That’s why there won’t be an extension.
Great comments Stef!! You are right on the money! The stories of our Yankees players are what attract me to read this blog everyday. Beside Canyon of Heroes, this is my favorite Yankees blog for now and years to come. Mr. Abraham are doing wonderful job on both blogging Yankees and reporting baseball news. In Taiwan, we have fans of Mr. Abraham who translate his article on daily bases. We have students reading the posts on this blog for purpose of learning English, enjoying baseball, and tracking Yankees’ super stars action.
One example: The terror of Taiwan By PETER ABRAHAM
http://wang40.com.tw/viewthrea.....a=page%3D1
Great Job Mr. Abraham!! Let’s Go Yankees!
Peter,
That is entirely true and you are correct. But wanting more money and opting out of a contract are not the same thing. Saying that he’d use his monster season to leverage New York into a huge extension is almost certainly more accurate. “Dave” above has the right idea. New York has a little less than 30 million dollars of free money to burn, and they wouldn’t let the best potential free agent on the market walk with those dollars already in hand.
I’m well avware of the finances, and not naive, but, for agrgument’s sake, I’ll play the other side.
ARod signed the richest contract in sports history, and he’s been publicly villified for it. If he opts out of the richest sports contract in history to go for more money, the hatred of him will escalate. It seems he cares about this. Conversely, by not opting out, he looks like a hero (which is insane if you think about it, but it would be true).
He will make 25+ million a year for the next three years. Barring injury, he get a nice 4-5 year extension after that. He doesn’t need to opt out. If he’s true to what he’s been saying, he’ll play out the contract.
NOthing stops the Yankees from adding to the contract, say $4M more a year for the next 3, plus $30 for 4 years extended. I personally think A Rod likes it here and will not opt out this year, not that’s its a big deal to him, but he is in the midst of buying a brand new penthouse in a high rise luxury building being built across from Gracie Mansion.
How it looks has zero to do with it. Its a business decision.
No matter what Arod does the rest of his career, a segment of people will hate him.
He could care less what the fans think anymore. If he did, he wouldn’t be having the year he is having, since he was booed on Opening Day and throughout the first week of the season this year by Yankee “fans”.
Heck, he goes 1-20 on this roadtrip, folks will come back here to this blog, rip him like crazy, and come with trade offers for him.
Its clear Arod has moved on from that mental hurdle.
The best way to gauge market value is to test it, which is why he will opt out.
If the Yankees want to keep him, they will have to ante up. Let’s be honest, they have gotten him for a discount rate the last four years due to Texas paying a sizable portion of his contract. After this season, the discount ends, and they are going to have to pay market value to keep him. If they don’t, he’s gone and he isn’t going to worry about what the fans think about it.
Why would it matter to him? If he leaves NY, the fans of his new team will cheer him like crazy. That’s all that matters.
These guys don’t make decisions based on what the fans or media think. They do what’s best for their own themselves, as it should be.
A Rod would be stupid if he didnt opt out. He has the right to do it. And if he wants to stay in NY he certainly can work out something.
You’re wrong on A-Rod.
Its not just about money which he will get no matter what. Its about legacy and winning. Hes finally comfortable in NY. He wins in NY. He is the most marketable in NY for now and for the future. Why would he want to screw that up? To get a a big deal to play for the White Sox?
Didnt he go thru this already with Texas? I think he learned a lesson there.
He’ll opt out and Cashman and Boras will negotiate a deal for him to finish up in NY and become the greatest hitter ever. It makes too much sense for it not to happen.
Jake,
You are probably right but the argument above you was more about whether or not he opts out. I think he has too. An extension is just to hard to get done at this point in time. If he had a year like this last year and Cash knew he was comfortable here then I think it would have gotten done this past offseason but I don’t think it can anymore. I to think he will be back with the Yanks.
If this team loses ARod it will set back the plan Cashman has by a long long time. I know you guys think Posada and Jeter are the greatest thing since DiMaggio and Mantle but if you take ARod out of this lineup this team is 15+ games back right now. Their is absolutely no power in this lineup without him and the big RBI guys aren’t really the same type of players they used to be.
The free agent market is pretty garbage this year too. Even if this team added Hunter and Ichiro that wouldn’t take the place of ARod b/c you are adding a few non-power hitters. The only way they get a bat to replace ARod would be by offering a package of several good young players to get a guy like Cabrera. If Cashman doesn’t get ARod resigned this team is in big trouble. Think of the Angels with ARod, Vlad and the best pitching staff in baseball. Wow.
ARod won’t be going to a small market, he’ll stay in NY, go to Chicago, or LA. He’ll be on a contender next year, we just hope it’s this one.
ARod is only going to be 32 in July. I can see him getting another 10 year deal on the open market. A minimum of 8 and I think the market may drive it up to 10. Soriano is just as old and he got 8. ARod is at least 1 1/2 times as good as Sori. I could realistically see a deal closer to 300M than 200M for him this offseason (which takes 25 of the 30 teams in baseball out of the picture). 10yr/280-300M dollar deal is maybe what this guy could be starring in the face after a 55+HR/150+RBI season.
OK, now I am hearing about the Yankees being interested in trading for Shea Hillenbrand. What possible purpose would this serve?
The guy sucks, is a clubhouse headcase and cancer, so why bring him in to the fold when Miguel Cairo has been doing just fine defensively (which is the primary concern at 1B) and hitting well enough?
Arod would be a bigger star in LA. In fact, if Kobe is traded, Arod would be the biggest sports star in Los Angeles.
Its not even close when gauging his popularity in each (LA vs. NY) market.
The Yankees are Derek Jeter’s team. Has been since 1996 and will be until DJ retires. He is the biggest star in NY. Even bigger than Arod. Arod will NEVER be more popular than Jeter in NY, regardless of how many HR’s or how many rings he could win as a Yankee.
Let’s not forget, a large number of Yankee fans have HATED Arod for 4 years. Hell, a segment of the fans in NY still hate Arod and are waiting for a slump, or another empty post-season, to rip him to shreds again.
If Arod goes to LA, he’s GOD. Softer (media and fan-wise) market and, if its the Angels, he hits between Cabrera and Guerrero. Not too shabby.
Being the biggest sports star in the entertainment capital of the world, has its perks. Ask Shaq. He parlayed that into a 300 million dollar entertainment business, in addition to his substantial basketball salary.
From a pure business standpoint, going to the Dodgers or Angels is a no brainer. He has to go.
Let’s not kid ourselves, the Yankees need Arod a helluva lot more than Arod needs the Yankees.
Let’s hope “other factors” weigh into it. If not, its hard for me to see how Arod stays, especially if the fans turn on him again or the media decides to stake him out on a daily basis.
Like Nick said, if Arod leaves, it puts a serious hit on Cashman’s reloading plans.
Arod has the leverage and the hammer here. Just depends how much he uses it.
Personally, I don’t think he’s going anywhere. The Yankees will find a way to get him to stay. And I think the A-rod supporters VASTLY outnumber the haters among Yankees fans – it’s just that the haters tend to be the more vociferous bunch…
Larry,
I heard on XM This Morning that Shea Hillenbrand may no longer be available because of an injury to Garrett Anderson.
Also I just heard on XM on their noon report that Sam Perlozzo has been fired as manager of the Orioles. There is an interim manager, Dave Trembley, but guess who’s on the short list to replace Perlozzo? Joe Girardi.
Story link re: Perlozzo’s ouster:
“Girardi”:http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=2907704
The O’s having been playing musical chairs with their managers for years. Maybe they should try to reload on talent or get a new GM. It all can’t be the managers fault after hiring 3-4 guys in 5-6 years. Angelos wants big name guys but no one wants to play their. He should be glad he never pulled the trigger on the Prior for Tejada deal
LA really worships their sports heroes right?
How about that great football team they have there???
And name me a Dodger or Angel who anyone in the country could pick out of a lineup in the past 40 yrs???
You cannot be marketed as an athlete like you can for the NY Yankees. It isnt even close.
Being a Yankee and breaking every record in pinstripes is worth more over the rest of his life than any contract now.
Are you crazy? Do you know how much money Shaq and Magic have made in LA? Over a BILLION dollars combined in their on and off season ventures. Magic Johnson may be the most successful athlete EVER, in terms of on and off field business success.
Arod has always talked about wanting to have that type of impact in business. Something that is a factor here, IMO.
Shaq and Magic have made more money than ANY Yankee EVER. Its not even close.
Arod would be huge in LA. In fact, not having a football team, and no other stars (besides Kobe) in LA works to Arod’s advantage from a marketing perspective.
Breaking records in Pinstripes means something to pinstripe fans. It means ZERO in the marketing world.
If Arod broke every record in a Dodger or Angels uniform, he takes it to a whole different level.
Do you actually believe the second largest media, and number one entertainment market, in the world would ignore Arod’s achievements.
Sometimes, you have to look at things less like a fan and more from a business perspective.
Arod makes a ton of money in LA if he heads west. In addition, he doesn’t have to share the stage with Jeter or anybody else. Something that is a big factor when he weighs his options.
Plus ARod has a significantly better chance to win a World Series with the Angels. I know you guys don’t agree but if you put ARod on that team they immediately become the favorites.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love Arod to stay in NY.
I am a huge Arod fan and have been since the day he arrived.
I think the crap Yankee fans have heaped upon him is embarrassing.
However, its pretty clear NY, while a great option, may not be his best option.
I sure hope he stays but, it wouldn’t shock me if he goes.
Its going to take a lot of money, and a GREAT sales job, by the Yankees to convince him this should be his last career stop. Let’s hope it works.
Think of the marketing possibilites, given A-Rod’s “devilish” tendencies (e.g., the Post story) if he was an Angel.
I sure hope he stays in NY because it would be great to have his talent on the team I like. But I’m prepared for A-Rod to go. What I would be upset about is if the Yankees let him go without a fight. If they make a great offer and A-Rod walks, well, then, that’s life. But if he walks without any consideration being given, that would not sit well.
The only thing I would question, SJ44, about LA embracing A-Rod, is LA truly seems to be a basketball town. A fast-paced game for a fast-paced crowd. I don’t think the same kind of adulation would go A-Rod’s way. I don’t they you could compare A-Rod to Kobe, Magic and Shaq. And it A-Rod hits 70 HRs this year, or whatever it takes to beat out Bonds’ single season record, that is what will take him into marketing heaven. Even over Jeter to some extent.
LA is a star town. They embrace stars.
It just so happened the last 25 years, most of the stars in sports have been Laker players.
Arod is a true star. The type of Hollywood personality that gets people involved and becomes the kind of player they have to see.
Its like when the Kings got Wayne Gretzky. LA was never a hockey town. Once Gretzky hit town, it was the hottest ticket in town. He was a huge star in Hollywood. Ironic since, that was at the height of the Lakers Dynasty with Magic and Kareem.
Arod is that kind of star and Boras will market him as such. If that’s what he is looking for, its going to be a tough for the Yankees to keep him.
I find it encouraging he is looking at new apartments around town. Hopefully, that’s a sign that his family (who supposedly like it in NY) are pushing him to stay.
If the Yankees lose Arod, that’s gonna be a big, big hit. I think they will fight to keep him but, some things (personal life, fan and media treatment, future plans, etc) may be out of their control.
Unless Cashman is crazy or gets fired before hand I don’t see any possible way he doesn’t fight to the death for him. If you say bye bye ARod you are probably saying good bye to Joba and Ian too b/c they will be going to Miami for Cabrera. This team HAS to have a big bat in that four hole and no one in the free agent market really brings that except Andruw Jones who I wouldn’t want on this team. Ichiro is a leadoff guy and Hunter is a 5-6 hole hitter. I don’t think Joe Crede is the replacement Cashman will have in mind.
Please NO Shea Hillenbrand. I’ll be sick.
I may be in the minority, but I don’t think A-Rod will opt out if he finishes strong this year with the Yankees. If he opts out, I think it will be to get off the Yankees, not to get more money. Think of the criticism he got when he originally signed the deal (in the papers AND things like when they pelted him with money upon his return to Seattle). Now think of the criticism he gets for virtually everything he does (people even get on him for hitting HRs in “garbage-time”). He really can’t make much more money than he already has, and he’s also got length on his contract. Therefore, opting out for more money and/or more years will cause him to be the most hated man in all professional sports (if he’s not there already). I really don’t see him opting out unless he tanks in the playoffs (assuming the yanks get there) and he wants out of NY.
What might happen is an extension and a bit more money. But honestly, how much more ludicrous could his contract get?
I’m with Susan — no Shea Hillenbrand. Cashman worked to get rid of some of the biggest disruptive forces on the team last season. Do we really need to go THERE again — especially considering Shea’s stats? They’re pathetic. Why do we need to add his $5 million+ salary for such unimpressive returns?
pick up a solid guy for 3b, move abomb to ss incentive to stay i think. jeets goes to 1b thereby extending his career a few years. if you can play at short, 1b is a cakewalk.
for now just let cairo do his thing unless, the deal of the century opens up.