Yet Junior is a smart guy. He knows the game and the business of baseball. He loves this team and this city, obviously. Why would he sign an incentive-laden contract if he knew that it was in the team’s best interest that he not attain the standards required to make those incentives worthwhile? There are a couple options I can think of…1st, perhaps he still thinks he can legitimately produce, not just at a major league level, but at a level befitting a starting designated hitter on a contending team. Or 2nd, he knows he will never reach those standards, but he’s signing a deal that will at least help him maintain some dignity. But if that’s the case, it seems that he wouldn’t want to come back and play if it will be part-time at what he knows isn’t his best.

And Jack Z’s a smart guy too. He’s not going to waste money. If he thinks Junior is worth $3.9M, he’ll pay him $3.9M. If he doesn’t think he’s worth it, he won’t pay him that. So is this incentive package merely a formality that both sides know will never be realized? Or do both sides see it as a legit possibility? If the former (which seems most reasonable), they must have something up their sleeves, i.e., Junior is being signed for his tickling, laughing, and ice cream pies and ends up on the 60-day, keeping him on the team yet opening up the roster for a better player. If that’s the case, why offer him a roster spot to begin with? Why not just bring him back as a coach (unless he doesn’t want to)? And if the latter, then I have grossly underestimated both the intelligence of Junior and Jack Z, and am due for disappointment in the future, because I don’t think any reasonable person can see Junior being as productive as anyone else they could put in that spot.

Anyways, all things being said, this situation is proving rather confusing to me. Thanks for letting me roll this around somewhere other than my head. Comments anyone?

And I agree with you on the cheaper options.

Even money says the last home game of the season is played in teal sleeveless jerseys.

I have 5 bucks that says you are proposing a bet.

Would you not rather have Andruw Jones signed to a one-year contract for $500,000, with a chance to make $1 million in performance bonuses?

Yes. I would not. And it has nothing to do with clubhouse presence.

He’s a right hander that would have issues hitting in Safeco. Why, other than a cheap price tag, would you want to see him signed in Seattle?

unless the team comes out with a “teal trident farewell edition” or something

Even money says the last home game of the season is played in teal sleeveless jerseys.

Which is unfortunate. If it were, we could do the world a service by keeping the cadets here and deploying the Yankees to Afghanistan instead.

Very nice. you get 5 points for that one.

and as it turns out West Point is not the United States School of Baseball Excellence.

Which is unfortunate. If it were, we could do the world a service by keeping the cadets here and deploying the Yankees to Afghanistan instead.

Like giving roster spots to quality baseball players?

Now you’re just being picky! But it is a thought…