The Derek Lowe negotiations

The latest on the Derek Lowe offer from Jon Heyman of SI.com:

"The Mets made an offer of about $36 million over three years, as first reported by the New York Times. However, indications are that Lowe isn't seriously considering that proposal, and that several other teams are currently leading the chase.

Lowe is believed to be seeking a salary close to $16 million, so the Mets' initial offer isn't really in the ballpark. Burnett received $82.5 million over five years from the Yankees, who at one time were also talking to Lowe."

Joel Sherman of the NY Post also wrote about the deal that Carlos Silva received last season (4 years for 52 million) and how Lowe considers himself "Far superior to Silva".

...Why should Omar just throw "Burnett" money at Derek Lowe? Is anybody else?

If he is worth that kind of money, why hasn't he received that offer? Burnett and Sabathia signed almost a month ago, Lowe was next in line. The only reason it has spilled into January is because Lowe's demands are not in line with what his possible suitors have gauged his value at. The only thing he can do is wait, and hope a higher offer comes in. But the man is going to be 36 years old for crying out loud, 16-18 million a year? For Derek Lowe? A lifetime #3 starter? Maybe last year, but in my opinion NEVER this year.

For years, the players have had the upper hand in negotiations, the economy was inflated and for a proven FA there were generally multiple teams bidding for their services. It was a SELLERS MARKET. Let's also be honest here, prices across the board have been grossly inflated since the Feds lowered interest rates after 9/11 Anyone remember gas prices the past few years? Home values at their peak in 2005?

Open your eyes and look around at today's economy. I realize Carlos Silva got a ridiculous deal last year, but that was last year and there were ZERO free agent starters available. That's why the Mets waited until Feb on Santana.

The bottom line here is that today's free agent market place is a BUYERS MARKET. Many possible free agents, and less teams able to spend the kind of money it will take to land them.

After Derek Lowe, there are many other quality starting pitchers available so if Lowe wants to balk at the Mets offer, they can just move on to another FA. Where will Derek Lowe go if he loses the Mets?

This can only mean one thing for a guy like Derek Lowe. He can say he wants 16 mill a year and that he considers himself a "Far superior" pitcher to Carlos Silva; but if no team out there offers it to him he will be forced to accept the Mets lowball offer, which may very well wind up being the highest offer on the table at the end of the day.

You can call the Mets cheap all you want, and if another team sneaks in and offers more money I will consider myself wrong on this. But I think Omar Minaya is doing a great job of reading the market place and not bidding against himself.

Think of it this way, if you were involved in an auction for the car of your dreams and placed a bid. Would you raise that bid if no one else came in to offer more? You would want to get it for the best price possible right?

Well it's the same thing here, regardless of what writers in the papers say or people on blogs write.

Omar Minaya is showing his savviness in negotiations and reading the market place for what it is. He is not allowing anyone or any "Opinions" to sway him from his position. I think ultimately you may see a vesting option for a 4th year and the yearly value slightly increased, but only if Scott Boras is able to entice any competition. Otherwise, you may see Lowe sign for the initial offer probably holding out until right before spring training. Just like Boras did with Kyle Lohse last off season.