Ryan Madson finally found a team to sign with. Madson signed a 1 year deal with The Cincinnati Reds for $8.5 million. There is also a mutual option for 2013 at an undisclosed amount. Madson’s agent, Scott Boras, said that Madson wanted to close games, not just be a set up man. This signing is quite a major victory for the small market Reds who had been trying to land a solid closer for as short a contract as possible. The Reds had been trying to re-sign their former closer Franciso Cordero, who is also a free agent, but Cordero has refused to sign just a 1 year contract.
It’s hard for me to totally believe Scott Boras’s rhetoric. If he could have gotten (let’s say) a 3 year deal for Madson as a setup man at (let’s say) $12 mil a year, I think Madson would have jumped at that. Rafeal Soriano, signing a 3 year deal with the NY Yankees, and Francisco Rodriguez, agreeing to arbitration with the Milwaukee Brewers, are examples of former high profile closers who have taken $12 mil (or more) to be set up men. After all, money talks, and no one believes that more than Scott Boras.
So why did it take Madson so long to sign on with a team this off–season? Firstly, Madson had the misfortune of becoming a free agent in a market very heavily loaded with closers. And isn’t that the job of a good agent to understand the market ahead of time and make sure your client isn’t screwed? And that leads to… Secondly, Madson had the wrong agent, especially for this type of market. Boras has been known for his landmark deals he has made for his players, but he is also known for being arrogant, and getting some of his clients (effectively) locked out of the market.
Boras is also known to try and bully teams and general managers. Some teams have basically refused to deal with him. The only problem with that is Boras has a very large majority of the baseball players as his clients. He wields amazing leverage in the world of baseball, often getting the top young amateur players to sign with him, promising them the world. Even I have to admit sometimes he delivers just that, regularly breaking records for contracts and bonuses. But Boras also has hurt some of his clients too, costing them millions in salary and burning their bridges with their clubs. And this time was no exception, with Boras and Phillies’ GM Ruben Amaro Jr pointing fingers at each other in the media.
Ok, enough of that boring Boras guy… let’s move on!
How much does signing Madson help the Reds this year? The Reds have been upgrading their pitching staff and think, with their two main rivals losing Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, they have a great chance to compete this year. With new acquisitions, Madson closing, lefty setup man Sean Marshall and frontline starting pitcher Mat Latos, the Reds have done a great job with their pitching. And with their hitting still intact, they have to feel good about their chances in 2012.
I still think that the St Louis Cardinals are still the favorite to win the division with the Milwaukee Brewers breathing right behind them. But the Reds are there too, it really should be fun watching these 3 teams fight it out all year for the NL Central crown.
The 31 year old Madson has long been a great setup man. But he finally got to be a closer for a full season in 2011 and he shined in that role, saving 32 games in 34 chances for the Phils. But with Madson doing so well, Boras did not want to negotiate with the Phillies until Madson officially became a free agent (he often uses this tactic with his clients). The Phillies, though, decided to go with a veteran closer instead, Jonathan Papelbon.
Ryan Madson – Past 3 seasons:
2011: 60.2 IP, 62 K, 4-2 record, 32 Saves, 2 holds, 1.15 WHIP, 2.37 ERA
2010: 53 IP, 64 K, 6-2 record, 5 Saves, 15 holds, 1.04 WHIP, 2.55 ERA
2009: 77.1 IP, 78 K, 5-5 record, 10 Saves, 26 holds, 1.23 WHIP, 3.26 ERA
Things aren’t too bad for Madson though. He did land on a very good team with a good chance to compete and you and I would never cry over $8.5 million to play a kids game!
Chances are good that if Madson does have another great season as the Reds closer, he will opt to become a free agent again and try for a long-term contract next year. After all, there shouldn’t be as many closers available next year! And you can safely assume several of the pitchers from this year will have failed at being a closer. Maybe Madson will have wised up by then and he will have a new agent for his next contract.
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