Buyer's Market

Cincinnati.com:

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