Wieters interested in long-term deal with Orioles

[Far from home]

Pay Matt like a 5-6 WAR player which he probably will be in the near term future. Maybe longer then that.

He already has been, and could easily be there again with slightly better walk and power rates.

[hector]

If you're saying overall average hitter - then there is some truth to this.
If you saying hitting for the C position - then you aren't correct. His rate statistics could improve, but he hit the 3rd most homers among C's, and had the 3rd most RBIs - in baseball.
Imo, the real issue here is that he's so concentrated on catching, 2nd best rate C in baseball, that he's not hitting to his full capability.
I willing to bet if you put him at DH, he jumps in production. In fact, I'm willing to bet that he makes a jump in rate production this year, as some things become second nature. Some times, it seems as if he loses concentration at the plate..which could be due to fatigue....

I agree with your comments. Matt is an average hitter overall and an above average defensive catcher. His trade value is probably at its max right now when some teams might be desperate for a very good catcher who can play another 8 years or so. If the O's sign him to a long term contract, he's worth $9-10M per year and no more.

If the O's moved him to DH, he'd be an average or below average DH and they'd lose the benefit of his defensive ability behind the plate. Trading him at the top of his market value should be seriously considered by the O's (just as they should have considered trading Roberts when I suggested that about three years ago.)

[johnpolitics]

But what does his agent the evil Scott Boras want?

[hector]

But what does his agent the evil Scott Boras want?

I haven't discussed this yet with Scott but I assume he'll be asking for $15M plus per year for at least 7 years.

[weenie]

I haven't discussed this yet with Scott but I assume he'll be asking for $15M plus per year for at least 7 years.

He'll start with two benchmarks, Mauer (8 yrs, $184M, 23M annually) and Y Molina (5 yrs, $75M) and he'll try to split the difference but he'll watch to see if/when Posey signs a long term deal before he gives any real consideration to his client's opportunities. When all is said and done, I'd guess 7 yrs, $140M in a mid-season trade/sign deal..in 2013 or '14.

And that likely means the Yankees, an LA team or maybe Detroit or Texas..unless Wieters gets another agent.

[Far from home]

He'll start with two benchmarks, Mauer (8 yrs, $184M, 23M annually) and Y Molina (5 yrs, $75M) and he'll try to split the difference but he'll watch to see if/when Posey signs a long term deal before he gives any real consideration to his client's opportunities. When all is said and done, I'd guess 7 yrs, $140M in a mid-season trade/sign deal..in 2013 or '14.

And that likely means the Yankees, an LA team or maybe Detroit or Texas..unless Wieters gets another agent.

As good as Wieters is, those aren't comparables.
He's never had a season as good as those two.
If anything, he's more Molina's level than Mauer's.

[hector]

He'll start with two benchmarks, Mauer (8 yrs, $184M, 23M annually) and Y Molina (5 yrs, $75M) and he'll try to split the difference but he'll watch to see if/when Posey signs a long term deal before he gives any real consideration to his client's opportunities. When all is said and done, I'd guess 7 yrs, $140M in a mid-season trade/sign deal..in 2013 or '14.

And that likely means the Yankees, an LA team or maybe Detroit or Texas..unless Wieters gets another agent.

I think you're exactly right that some fool will pay $140M for 7 years. That's at least twice his value. I hope the O's have the good sense to trade him sooner rather than later.