will it be enough for the stros to get beltran? I sure as hell hope so.

Even if the Mets throw a couple more million at him, he needs to take into account the cost of living factor in NY vs. Houston.


- Don't you understand? It's not about him. To have a line as perfect as jerk store and to never use it. I couldn't live with myself.

It's smart...it's a smart line, and a smart crowd will appreciate it. And, I'm not gonna dumb it down for some bonehead mass audience!!

The stros wont spend enough money to keep him.

The problem is that 7/106 is plenty. Based on what Vlad Guerero was given last year that is more, and he is a better player, other than defensively.

I don't think cost of living is really a factor when we're talking about figures like this. Style of living is more like it (ie, huge house relatively close to town vs. apartment (albeit, a very nice one) in the city or a bigger house out on the island or something).

Phi, I hope you are being sarcastic as I don't find anyway you could be upset with the Astros if Beltran goes elsewhere. They've made an extremely competitive offer that is well above anything most people thought they would offer.

Interesting article ....

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2981721

I'm actually starting to agree with the writer on this.

NO STATE INCOME TAX. Anyone know the math for how much that is worth in NYC?

I think what you have to realize in this situation is that Boras is controlling this deal, and he could care less about the income tax he gets his percentage regardless. Therefore if the Mets are offering $112 million then he will push Carlos in that direction, because that is at least $200K to him.

Unfortunately, this is all about Boras and his ego. Ethics are a foreign cocept to him...Yesterday, before the Astros had upped their offer, he made a statement that it would take 7 years and 100+ million to even be in discussions with him, and he stated that all teams involved have at least that on the table. Total BS. He doesn't care that NY has a state tax. On the radio (610 or 790, not sure which), they said that NYC even has a city income tax, as well as higher sales tax. And of course, cost of living in general is higher there. Doesn't matter to Boras. He wants to be able to say he got a billion dollars for his guy.

It's too bad that the owners can't come together and put a clamp on this guy...but I'm pretty sure the commissioner's office wouldn't allow that kind of collusion.

Is his agent Scott Boras or Bob Sugar.

It's me, it's me

if beltran signs with ny then he will prove to be just like every other baseball player, that he only cares about money and nothing else. i personally dont really see the difference in an extra million a year when youre already making 15 or 16 million a year in the first place. but im also not a greedy sob like boras is and beltran is looking like. if he does sign with ny, i cant wait until they get last place again and hes stuck living in the hellhole that is new york.

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NO STATE INCOME TAX. Anyone know the math for how much that is worth in NYC?

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Here is the number crunching (general):

First off you are taxed in the state where you earn your salary thus if the final contract was for $120 Million, half of that will be eaned on the road thus state income taxes are the same whether with the Astros or Mets. So we are talking about $60 Million taxed at the highest tax brackets which is Federal of $36% and then the max anyone would pay in State and City (NYC has a city income tax as well) would get them up to 55% (which is 19% on top of the 36% federal). Thus for ease of calculation say an additional 20% which yields a tax of $12 million over 7 years (60,000,000 x 20%).

I've got my paysub, I pay 4.61% in state tax and 2.76 in city tax.

I don't think you should over-look the $0.60 disability.

Agreed - this is enough money. However, Boras doesn't know what 'enough' means.

I'd be shocked if he stays an Astro.

I from Texas, but can't you write off your state taxes on your federal taxes?

Some of your state taxes might be deductible but they defintely are not 100% deductible like your property taxes.

The Mets suck... you would think, making that kind of money, you would want to play for a team with a good chance at postseason play.

You guys don't want me to weigh in on this, I've already posted about a 1000 words on the 'stros board.

Let's just say the whole situation has devalued my opinion of Beltran. I still hope we get him, but I think Justice is pretty dead on in his recent article and I NEVER agree with Justice.

Considerations for Beltran:

1. Besides higher state and city income taxes, the cost of living is considerably higher in NYC or Chicago.

2. He's not a party guy; he's a somewhat retiring family guy. Quality of life for wife and children is a consideration.

3. There are more Puerto Ricans in NYC than anywhere but PR. That is attractive for marketing and of-the-field income and for a community for his family as long as he can stand living in the city.

I would think Chicago is out of it, but he has legitimate problems deciding between NYC and Houston. Of course, the Yankees or Mets may make that easy by springing for a lot more dough. I have always thought Steinbrenner would just to get even for Pettitte and Clemens.

Uva Uvum Vivendo Varia Fit





[This message has been edited by LonghornDub (edited 1/7/2005 4:26p).]

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Phi, I hope you are being sarcastic as I don't find anyway you could be upset with the Astros if Beltran goes elsewhere. They've made an extremely competitive offer that is well above anything most people thought they would offer.

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What the hell are you talking about? Who said anything about me being upset with anybody. Sheesh, all I said is that I dont think the Stros will spend enough to keep him. I really couldnt give a rip either way man!

Seriously though, when you're making 100+ million, what's the big deal b/t 107 and 115. Would 8 million at that stage make a difference to you?

Friday, January 7, 2005

By BOB KLAPISCH
SPORTS COLUMNIST




The Mets' fantasy of a clean-sweep winter - Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado, all at Shea by Opening Day - was slowed by a 1-2 reality combination on Thursday. The first potential setback occurred in mid-afternoon, when the Yankees came to terms with Randy Johnson and prepared to unleash their dollars on Beltran. A separate, second front was opened by the Astros, who learned they have greater incentive than ever to sign the free-agent center fielder.

According to a major league source, Roger Clemens has told owner Drayton McLane he'll retire if Beltran isn't re-signed by the Astros. With less than 48 hours left before the 'Stros lose their negotiating rights to Beltran, McLane is under enormous pressure to raise his offer beyond the current six-year package worth, $84 million package.

Late in the evening, the Astros did just that, upping the deal to six years, $105 million – and telling Beltran to take it or leave it.

“The offer we have out there, that's the only one we're going to give,” McLane told the Houston Chronicle. “There are no more… If that fits them, terrific. If not, then we have to move on."

The Mets have been borderline-delirious imagining they can win the Beltran sweepstakes, but they're not completely blind. In fact, there's a healthy skepticism that, despite their staggering seven-year, $112 million offer, Beltran will return to Houston now that McLane has achieved near-parity with Fred Wilpon.

But if Houston prevails, it won’t be because of Clemens' influence or McLane’s dollars. Instead, it'll be Beltran's wife, Jessica Lugo, who will have emerged as the real winner.

Although she was quoted in a Puerto Rican newspaper this week saying, "I don't have a favorite (team) yet" friends says Lugo has made it clear she wants her husband to play for the Astros. The 27-year-old Beltran, quiet and religious, is depending heavily on his wife in the decision-making process. That may foil agent Scott Boras' goal of delivering his client to the highest bidder.

That's why the Mets flew to Puerto Rico on Monday - not only to hand-deliver their offer, but to gauge Beltran's mood. They used every possible sales-pitch, including the one which guarantees Beltran will be the Mets' biggest star. That's a promise the Yankees can't make or keep. According to people familiar with Monday's talks in San Juan, both parties walked away smiling, but a day later, the Mets couldn't shake the feeling that Beltran's heart is elsewhere.

Still, the Mets deserve credit for this much: their willingness to negotiate aggressively speaks to the Wilpons' commitment to winning, or at least putting a viewable product on the air in 2006, when their new cable network is launched. It's just too bad Fred Wilpon waited until now to start spending. Had he been this bold a year ago, the Mets might've been able to snare free agent Vladimir Guerrero and Jim Duquette, a smart executive who deserved better, probably would've kept his job.

Instead, Duquette was the one saddled with the $80 million payroll and the leftover garbage from the Steve Phillips era. These days, Omar Minaya is the rising star, but the Wilpons' decision to dole out $100 million this year helps, too. The surplus cash made it possible for the Mets to sign Pedro Martinez, and they have every right to think they can score another upset in the Beltran wars. But this time, the Mets' path is littered with obstacles.

Take the Yankees, for instance. All week, they've claimed to be focusing on Johnson instead of Beltran - a simple game of rope-a-dope that fooled no one. "I don't believe for one second the Yankees aren't in this," said one National League executive.

It's no coincidence that Johnson's contract was completed on Thursday, giving Steinbrenner two full days to blow away the Mets' offer and appeal to Beltran's huger to play for a winner. Remember, this is a star who spent 6 1/2 years suffocating in Kansas City, so if anyone is ready for the promised land, it's Beltran.

By all accounts, the Yankees are ready for him, too. Beltran is exactly the powerful, speedy under-30 talent the Bombers lack and can build their team around, especially with Jason Giambi having become a non-person, Bernie Williams' career nearly finished, and Tino Martinez in his decline phase. If the Yankees sign Beltran, questions about their aging roster will be quieted, at least temporarily.

But the more significant doubts are within Beltran himself. If his friends are right, Beltran is waging an impossible war, trying to balance the efforts of his super-agent, Boras, against the wishes of his family. That's why Clemens' ultimatum to McLane, which the pitcher publicly insists publicly was never made, could be the deciding factor here. With the Astros now coughing up enough money and using Texas’ favorable tax laws to keep pace with the Mets, Beltran might just stay put.

Naturally, that would be a huge victory for the Astros. The Yankees would rationalize the loss by saying they were never that interested, anyway, especially after acquiring Johnson. But the Mets? They're gotten close enough to probably feel heartbroken, even if they signed Delgado.

After all, hitting the Martinez-Beltran-Delgado trifecta wouldn't just help the Mets' public relations campaign, it would make them a real threat to the Braves and Phillies. But without Beltran, the Mets' are looking at a more modest 84-87 win summer.

That's why this off-season ride has been so exhausting for the team's executives. One minute they're imagining their new, hip, Latino all-star squad. The next, they're worrying about who'll drive in the runs at first base and what to do about centerfield while Mike Cameron heals from wrist surgery.

The Mets' cash is on the table, but so are their hopes and dreams. Only 48 hours to go, and everyone's sweating profusely.

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I from Texas

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That's a pretty telling statement.