Jake doesn't think he'll be a Padre in 2 years.

[realmofotalk]

That map is a bit inaccurate. There are more Yankee fans in South Florida than there are Marlins fans, and that's no joke. But I digress. Carry on.

[JayDawg27]

Wood where's the Mets thread man so we can make our predictions before the game actually starts, if it starts.

[love_that_reefer]

There's a fine line between loyalty and stupidity.

To just blindly give him what he asks for would be stupidity if he were to, say, ask for 30 mil per year.

Not saying that he will ask for that, or even close to that, but to say they should "show loyalty" and equate that to giving him whatever he asks for implies that they're not being "loyal" if he were to ask for that and they were to subsequently turn it down....as they should if he asked for that.

I think the Padres can display "loyalty" to Jake Peavy without giving him anything and everything he asks for.

The Padres will have to pay him what he is worth. He is worth a lot and rightfully so. Like I said, loyalty goes both ways. Peavy will probably show his by asking for the same deal Zito/Zambrano got. Since the Pads have first shot, they should show theirs and give him a deal. It's not like they are going to go get that big bat, they haven't in years. If Peavy wants a good deal, the Padres should do whatever it takes to give it to him. If he wants to go tests the market to get the most outrageous deal, then let him be. $18 mil/yr should be enough to keep him locked up. The Padres are soon to lose their franchise player (Hoffman) and Peavy is the only one that can fill that void. .

[HollywoodLeo]

Wait. Let me get this straight.

In order to show the Padres loyalty, all Peavy "has" to do is ask for deals similar to that of Zito and Zambrano? But in order for the Padres to show him loyalty they have to give him whatever he asks for?

Must not be hard showing "loyalty" to a team, I suppose.

And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Jake doesn't have a right to test the market if he wants to. I'm just asking to leave the "I really want to stay with the Padres" part out of it if the money is more important.

I don't know, it just seems to me that if you really want to stay with one team and you're already a multi-millionaire you wouldn't let a few million bucks get in the way of you and you staying with the same team....if that's truly your top priority.

If his top priority is getting top dollar, whether that be because he's greedy or because of the principal involved in others not half as good as him getting paid more if he doesn't, or both, whatever...if that's his priority at least be up front about it.

[love_that_reefer]

Are you high?

In order to show the Padres loyalty, all Peavy "has" to do is ask for deals similar to that of Zito and Zambrano? But in order for the Padres to show him loyalty they have to give him whatever he asks for?

I think if Peavy asked for $18 mil the Padres would have to do it. If you disagree, that's your problemo. Not smart if you ask me. Loyalty on Peavy's part-asking for market price. Loyalty on the Padres part-giving it to him.

[HollywoodLeo]

I don't know what your definition of loyalty is, but my definition doesn't include demanding 18 mil per or walking.

Does he have a right to ask that much? Sure, he's worth it. But if it's "pay me market price or I walk" that's hardly being loyal to the Padres.

Does he have to be loyal? No....but he still wouldn't be being "loyal"

[love_that_reefer]

$18 mil for Peavy after 09 is a fair price. He will get more elsewhere. Giving your team first crack at a fair value is loyalty in my book.

[HollywoodLeo]

I agree.

Unfortunately, however, a team in the market the Padres play in might not be able to afford that salary, however.

Add on top of that that Jake might demand more than that (since he's better than Zambrano) and they can't really afford to pay him what he's "worth"

With that said, they can't really afford to be "loyal" to him while maintaining a team that can actually win (while still bringing in a profit)....and therein lies the problem.

[HollywoodLeo]

But....if Jake were "loyal" to the Padres he'd take what they can afford.

If he takes market value he's being smart in terms of what he's worth...but not being loyal to the Padres.

[love_that_reefer]

I don't see how giving the Padres a discount on what he could get anything but loyal and yes the Padres could afford it and would be dumb not to.

[HollywoodLeo]

I don't see how you can ascertain what the Padres can afford without seeing their books.

Jake could be the best pitcher baseball has ever seen...the Padres wouldn't be wise to put 1/3 of their payroll into him.

Facts are facts.

If I was a Yankees fan I'd argue different.

[love_that_reefer]

Facts are facts? What facts? In regards to the Padres not affording him, why not pay for your franchise player and top five pitcher in MLB? If the Padres would quit making dumb moves they can make a really good team and have a true ace to lead the charge. By 2010 a lot of money will be freed up so I don't think $18 mil will be that bad of a reach for a true ace. If you don't want Santana going to the Dodgers, you really don't want Peavy too either. And as I said, it's not like the Padres are going to get that big bat. It's just not in them.

[FmrFresnan]

Reefer, I think you're missing the point of "being loyal". Noone's arguing that Jake isn't worth $18m/year, I'm certainly not going to. But, if Jake is offered $14-$16m a year and he turns it down, that's where the "loyal" comment comes in.

I think these high payed players need to understand something, the more money that is thrown into their contract is money their team can't use on other players to turn a "mid-major" team into a championship contender.

[love_that_reefer]

If the Padres offer him just $14 mil, I would consider that a slap in the face and far from loyal. I think if the Padres work on a deal before they pick up his $8 mil option, good things can happen. An offer somewhere around 6 yrs/ $16 mil per with a player option of $19 mil would suffice.

[FmrFresnan]

If the Padres offer him just $14 mil, I would consider that a slap in the face and far from loyal. I think if the Padres work on a deal before they pick up his $8 mil option, good things can happen. An offer somewhere around 6 yrs/ $16 mil per with a player option of $19 mil would suffice.

I said $14-$16m a year, apparently it wasn't if you're willing to offer $16m/year.