Would this idea work to re-sign C. J. Wilson?

by K.S.B. on Oct 25, 2011 11:48 PM CDT

Anyone who was on the Game 5 GDT knows that I like CJ a lot, and want to see the Rangers re-sign him. With that said, I understand that there is a fiscal reality that might preclude this. My question then is this: would CJ be willing to sign an incentive-laden contract, with less guaranteed money, but huge upside for him? And also, are these type of contracts even allowed? My thought was that it could be structured to be a base salary of, say $60 million over 5 years, with innings and strikeout incentives at various levels that would balloon the pay up to perhaps as much as $90-100 million over those 5 years, if he hit various yearly targets. For instance, an extra $500K could hit at 100 innings, and every 25 innings thereafter, leading to a total bonus of (if my math is correct) around $2.5 million for 200 innings pitched. Similar incentives could be structured for strikeouts. I don't mind at all paying $18-20 million per year for a pitcher who's getting me 200 innings and 200 Ks.

First, is it even allowed by the CBA to make contracts so incentive-based? Second, is there any precedent for such a thing? And third, is it something CJ would even be interested in doing? I'm guessing probably not, if he can find someone who will give him $90-100 million without such incentives. But what if his best offer is $75-80mil over 5 years? Would he consider it then?

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Huge incentive laden contracts

basically never happen, aside from that Ceej isn’t going to have to accept something that is very incentive laden.

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by groundingout on Oct 26, 2011 12:36 AM CDT reply actions

yuP

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by Mike E on Oct 26, 2011 12:48 AM CDT up reply actions

This is why I presented it as more of a question than anything else.

I wasn’t sure if (A) it was even possible with the CBA to make it so incentive-laden; or (B) there was any precedent.

"An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come." *Victor Hugo*

by K.S.B. on Oct 26, 2011 12:54 AM CDT up reply actions

Probably

No, because it defeats the whole purpose of the endeavor.

"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels

by GhettoBear04 on Oct 26, 2011 1:00 AM CDT up reply actions

i think the only incentives you would see would be like

for cy young awards, all star selections, etc. i would imagine that the players’ union isn’t too keen on anything that starts to become a performance-based contract.

by SteveP on Oct 26, 2011 1:00 AM CDT reply actions

This is something I had already planned to look at in the offseason,

but the general rule of thumb is that players gain long term security and give up long term value. It’s a present value of money issue.

"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels

by GhettoBear04 on Oct 26, 2011 1:02 AM CDT reply actions

I think performance based incentives are a good idea

if nothing else to keep guys from just getting fat and lazy (Millwood) but realistically not only would the agents and players be opposed but there is much pressure from the MLB players union to make sure every contract is competitive. Kinsler’s contract caused a major uproar in the players union because he set a low precedent for his value.

Now as far as CJ’s case, his motivation is not tied to the money – he’s going to make plenty regardless. He told me his goals were to go to the All Star Game, to win a World Series, to throw a no-hitter, and to win a Cy Young. He’s not gonna start “mailing it in” anytime soon. He goes so far as to structure his diet to make sure his diurnal rhythms allow maximum hormone levels during game days. He is that compulsive

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by eclou on Oct 26, 2011 6:41 AM CDT reply actions

Why does he has such a shitty pickoff move? Doesn't that bother him?

by octoberty on Oct 26, 2011 7:11 AM CDT up reply actions

Well, he was a RP/closer for several years

They hardly ever bother to learn good pickoff moves.

by LSJ on Oct 26, 2011 7:58 AM CDT up reply actions

This is interesting.

Are you saying, then, that perhaps he might be interested in something of an incentive-based contract, though based on different incentives than IP and Ks?

"An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come." *Victor Hugo*

by K.S.B. on Oct 26, 2011 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Why on Earth would he be interested in an incentive-based contract?

He will want guaranteed money…it’s a no-brainer for him.

Contracts heavy on incentives are given to guys coming off injuries.

613photo

by Black Francis on Oct 26, 2011 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions

It's not like my idea only offers him $5mil a year or something like that.

I was thinking it would be like a $12-13mil a year base, with incentives that could take it up to around $20mil a year. That said, I admitted from the beginning that this idea might be a total non-starter, so I’m not actually predicting it will happen or anything.

"An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come." *Victor Hugo*

by K.S.B. on Oct 26, 2011 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions

i remember a few years ago

when the rangers allowed millwood to reach his innings pitched incentive. of course purposely not letting somebody reach an incentive would get ALL the players a little upset

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by gossamer on Oct 26, 2011 1:46 PM CDT reply actions