With Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken JR getting elected to the HoF,
the fact is mentioned that both players played their whole career for one franchise.
If either player was a free agent this offseason, and in their prime, what kind of contract would they command, and which team would be the most likely for either player.
Guess the salaries
For the sake of argument I'm assuming that they're being signed at age 30 and that people are unaware of the way the rest of their career goes.
Ripken would command 6yrs. 100+ million, Considering the franchise icon status he has, the impending record that people were aware of by the time he was 30, and the PR value of having him combined with the dearth of power hitting SS candidates his value would be through the roof.
Gwynn, while still valued, would probably come in much less considering how much power numbers are valued now (go on any sabermetric message board and listen to people rail against singles hitters, which is just what Tony Gwynn was). Obviously not all GMs are statheads, but I think he probably gets something like 5-6 yrs. 54-72 million depending on how in love with him the GM is.
Ripken would command 6yrs. 100+ million, Considering the franchise icon status he has, the impending record that people were aware of by the time he was 30, and the PR value of having him combined with the dearth of power hitting SS candidates his value would be through the roof.
Gwynn, while still valued, would probably come in much less considering how much power numbers are valued now (go on any sabermetric message board and listen to people rail against singles hitters, which is just what Tony Gwynn was). Obviously not all GMs are statheads, but I think he probably gets something like 5-6 yrs. 54-72 million depending on how in love with him the GM is.
I think with Ripken going on the market, any franchise with a hole at SS would have to make a run at him and in St. Louis, the clammoring for him would be huge with Eckstein being a free agent and ownership's refusal to spend money after winning the series last year that resulted in the disaster unfolding as we speak. However, no way Peter Angelos lets him leave Baltimore since he's the one thing that makes the franchise a draw and gets at least 16 million a year.
Gwynn would go for maybe 11 or 12 million a year for 4 or 5 years. With all the pitching they need to sign long term, I think the Pads let him walk and he ends up in a place like Chicago to replace Podsednick
Gwynn would go for maybe 11 or 12 million a year for 4 or 5 years. With all the pitching they need to sign long term, I think the Pads let him walk and he ends up in a place like Chicago to replace Podsednick
