Buyer's Market

by Jeff on Nov 25, 2008 11:57 AM PST in Regular News Comment 37 comments

Brian Goldberg, the agent for former Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., said Monday he thinks things will to open up in early December. Dec. 1 is the last day for clubs to offer salary arbitration to their free agents. The players have until Dec. 7 to accept. If they refuse, teams get a draft pick or two for them - depending on their classification.
...

Goldberg said Griffey has had contact with nine teams - six in the AL, three in the NL.

"Some I contacted, some contacted us," Goldberg said. "We're still talking."

Phone: ring ring ring
Epstein: Ahoy hoy?
Goldberg: Hi there, Theo. This is Brian Goldberg, agent for Ken Griffey Jr.
Epstein: Oh yeah, hey, what's up?
Goldberg: I was just wondering if you would be interested in my client as an everyday regular for the 2009 season. An experienced player with Hall of Fame talent, Ken is passionate about helping his future employer proceed to the World Series.
Epstein: Sorry, Brian, but we don't have room or a need. But thanks for calling.

Phone: ring ring ring
Epstein: Ahoy hoy?
Goldberg: Hey Theo, Goldberg again.
Epstein: Uh huh
Goldberg: So, Griffey. I know before you said you weren't interested, but hear me out.
Epstein:
Goldberg: -an experienced player with Hall of Fame talent, Ken is passionate about helping his future emp
Epstein: We're not interested.
Goldberg: loyer proceed to the World Series.
Epstein: Not interested.
Goldberg: His experience and passion are second to none, and players with his kind of Hall of Fame talent are few and far between.
Epstein: Not.
Goldberg: I think he'd be a shot in the arm to your ballclub, and
Epstein: Interested.

Phone: ring ring ring
Epstein: Ahoy hoy?
Goldberg: Theo, hey, what's up! It's Brian Goldberg!
Epstein: What do you want
Goldberg: So, this Griffey kid, right? I noticed your team kind of struggled there at the end of the playoffs, and I've got just the guy to put you over the top.
Goldberg: What would you say if I told you I've got a guy with experience, passion, and Hall of Fame talent?
Goldberg: And that he's ready to sign with a winner? A winner such as the Boston Red Sox?
Goldberg: Speechless? I know, right? But I'm serious.
Lucchino: Brian.
Goldberg: who the fuck is this
Lucchino: If you call this number again I will have you dismembered.

Phone: ring ring ring
Phone: ring ring ring
Phone: ring ring ring

Phone: ring ring ring
Epstein: Ahoy hoy?
Goldberg: Theo! Buddy!
Goldberg:
Goldberg:
Goldberg:
Goldberg: Theo?

Phone: ring ring ring
Epstein: Ahoy hoy?
Goldberg: Theo, it's Scott. Boras.
Epstein: What's the good word?
Goldberg: So I've caught wind of some rumors involving you and my boy Mark.
Epstein: Yeah, I think it's fair to say we've got a bit of interest.
Goldberg: Well you know some of the other teams are going after him pretty hard.
Epstein: I saw that, yeah. We don't know yet whether we're comfortable going to the level that some of the other guys are talking about.
Goldberg: We're looking ten years and we're pretty sure we're going to get it.
Epstein: That just isn't reasonable, not for us.
Goldberg: I hear you, I hear you. It's a big time investment.
Epstein: It is. And worse comes to worse, we're pretty happy with the setup we've already got.
Goldberg: Well listen, if the market for Mark does end up going where I expect, a buddy of mine has a guy who might be able to help you out for a much lower price.
Epstein: Oh yeah?
Goldberg: Yeah, he was talking to me about the player just the other day. He sounds a lot more affordable.
Goldberg: An experienced player with Hall of Fame talent
Epstein: FUCKING CHRIST

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Comments

I'm dumbstruck.

by royalcurve on Nov 25, 2008 12:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Why do you always pick on Griffey?

Furcal

by JI on Nov 25, 2008 12:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

tee hee

by Omerta on Nov 25, 2008 12:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Thank you.

This pass a little time

I am no longer in Spokane, but I think I'll keep the name anyway.

by InSpokane on Nov 25, 2008 12:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

So Epstein is Mr. Burns?

by Mariner John on Nov 25, 2008 12:19 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm so glad the telephone has finally found it's internet voice

by seattlebruin on Nov 25, 2008 12:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

You sir are awesome

Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Washingtonhighways.org

by I'm NOT Corco on Nov 25, 2008 12:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

no no no

ahoy (hey!) hoy (small coaster vessel, usually sloop-rigged, used in conveying passengers and goods from place to place, or as a tender to larger vessels in port)

by msb on Nov 25, 2008 1:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This bit of nautical terminology I did not know.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Nov 25, 2008 1:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The more you know.

by BrianL on Nov 25, 2008 1:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I can see Cashman answering the phone with a simple "Yo."

by Goose on Nov 25, 2008 1:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Kevin Towers seems like a "Talk to me" kind of guy

by Jeff on Nov 25, 2008 1:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and a guy who ends the conversation with "talk to ya"

because saying “later” just adds so much time to the conversation.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Nov 25, 2008 2:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I've taken my cue from the movies and don't even say goodbye anymore.

by Teej on Nov 25, 2008 2:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and then you throw your phone at/to your assistant and head for the golf course.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Nov 25, 2008 2:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

At work, phone conversations are one syllabub conversations.

“Yep. Right. Cool. Bye.”

by Goose on Nov 25, 2008 2:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

One of my favorite phone conversations ever

was one I overheard on the Red Line between downtown Boston and Harvard Square. There’s about a minute or so when the T is above ground, going over the river, and in that time some dude pulled out his phone, dialed a number, and said “Hi.(pause) Yes.(pause) Thanks” and hung up. I was in awe of the fact that conversation apparently couldn’t wait.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Nov 25, 2008 2:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs