Brutus
12-09-2010, 03:40 PM
Scouring the new Cliff Lee article, where it has been reported the Yankees have now offered 7 years and $140 million, I came across the bit that the Rangers have asked Lee's agent what it would take to sign him.
Seems harmless, right?
Darek Braundecker, apparently, was somewhat offended. Lee's agent had this to say:
"We have no interest in participating in the unconventional negotiating style the club has requested," Braunecker told ESPN.com. "For the player to submit an offer to the club ... that's not the way the process works."
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5902103
God forbid a club simply wants to know an amount it takes to sign a player. "Unconventional negotiating style?" Since when is it unconventional for one half of the parties involved in a negotiation to want to get to a bottom line number? Good grief. This guy has lost touch with reality--that a service contract is a two-way street.
I understand it's better for his client if he stays mum on such a question, and instead lets clubs continually go through the bidding process. Make no mistake, I don't blame him for not wanting to answer the question. However, I wish he'd get off the high horse about what constitutes a a conventional negotiating tactic.
Lest I be clear, from the player's standpoint, I can understand not wanting to put a number on the finality. After all, if they float a number that Texas agrees to, not only does it end the bidding, but then they have to be prepared to accept the offer since they acknowledged it would get the job done. But don't get offended by the fact they simply wanted a number.
</end soapbox>
Seems harmless, right?
Darek Braundecker, apparently, was somewhat offended. Lee's agent had this to say:
"We have no interest in participating in the unconventional negotiating style the club has requested," Braunecker told ESPN.com. "For the player to submit an offer to the club ... that's not the way the process works."
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5902103
God forbid a club simply wants to know an amount it takes to sign a player. "Unconventional negotiating style?" Since when is it unconventional for one half of the parties involved in a negotiation to want to get to a bottom line number? Good grief. This guy has lost touch with reality--that a service contract is a two-way street.
I understand it's better for his client if he stays mum on such a question, and instead lets clubs continually go through the bidding process. Make no mistake, I don't blame him for not wanting to answer the question. However, I wish he'd get off the high horse about what constitutes a a conventional negotiating tactic.
Lest I be clear, from the player's standpoint, I can understand not wanting to put a number on the finality. After all, if they float a number that Texas agrees to, not only does it end the bidding, but then they have to be prepared to accept the offer since they acknowledged it would get the job done. But don't get offended by the fact they simply wanted a number.
</end soapbox>