Buyer's Market

by Jeff Sullivan on Nov 25, 2008 11:57 AM PST in Seattle Mariners Regular News

Brian Goldberg, the agent for former Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., said Monday he thinks things will to open up in early December. Dec. 1 is the last day for clubs to offer salary arbitration to their free agents. The players have until Dec. 7 to accept. If they refuse, teams get a draft pick or two for them - depending on their classification.
...

Goldberg said Griffey has had contact with nine teams - six in the AL, three in the NL.

"Some I contacted, some contacted us," Goldberg said. "We're still talking."

Phone: ring ring ring
Epstein: Ahoy hoy?
Goldberg: Hi there, Theo. This is Brian Goldberg, agent for Ken Griffey Jr.
Epstein: Oh yeah, hey, what's up?
Goldberg: I was just wondering if you would be interested in my client as an everyday regular for the 2009 season. An experienced player with Hall of Fame talent, Ken is passionate about helping his future employer proceed to the World Series.
Epstein: Sorry, Brian, but we don't have room or a need. But thanks for calling.

Phone: ring ring ring
Epstein: Ahoy hoy?
Goldberg: Hey Theo, Goldberg again.
Epstein: Uh huh
Goldberg: So, Griffey. I know before you said you weren't interested, but hear me out.
Epstein:
Goldberg: -an experienced player with Hall of Fame talent, Ken is passionate about helping his future emp
Epstein: We're not interested.
Goldberg: loyer proceed to the World Series.
Epstein: Not interested.
Goldberg: His experience and passion are second to none, and players with his kind of Hall of Fame talent are few and far between.
Epstein: Not.
Goldberg: I think he'd be a shot in the arm to your ballclub, and
Epstein: Interested.

Phone: ring ring ring
Epstein: Ahoy hoy?
Goldberg: Theo, hey, what's up! It's Brian Goldberg!
Epstein: What do you want
Goldberg: So, this Griffey kid, right? I noticed your team kind of struggled there at the end of the playoffs, and I've got just the guy to put you over the top.
Goldberg: What would you say if I told you I've got a guy with experience, passion, and Hall of Fame talent?
Goldberg: And that he's ready to sign with a winner? A winner such as the Boston Red Sox?
Goldberg: Speechless? I know, right? But I'm serious.
Lucchino: Brian.
Goldberg: who the fuck is this
Lucchino: If you call this number again I will have you dismembered.

Phone: ring ring ring
Phone: ring ring ring
Phone: ring ring ring

Phone: ring ring ring
Epstein: Ahoy hoy?
Goldberg: Theo! Buddy!
Goldberg:
Goldberg:
Goldberg:
Goldberg: Theo?

Phone: ring ring ring
Epstein: Ahoy hoy?
Goldberg: Theo, it's Scott. Boras.
Epstein: What's the good word?
Goldberg: So I've caught wind of some rumors involving you and my boy Mark.
Epstein: Yeah, I think it's fair to say we've got a bit of interest.
Goldberg: Well you know some of the other teams are going after him pretty hard.
Epstein: I saw that, yeah. We don't know yet whether we're comfortable going to the level that some of the other guys are talking about.
Goldberg: We're looking ten years and we're pretty sure we're going to get it.
Epstein: That just isn't reasonable, not for us.
Goldberg: I hear you, I hear you. It's a big time investment.
Epstein: It is. And worse comes to worse, we're pretty happy with the setup we've already got.
Goldberg: Well listen, if the market for Mark does end up going where I expect, a buddy of mine has a guy who might be able to help you out for a much lower price.
Epstein: Oh yeah?
Goldberg: Yeah, he was talking to me about the player just the other day. He sounds a lot more affordable.
Goldberg: An experienced player with Hall of Fame talent
Epstein: FUCKING CHRIST

14 recs | 37 comments

Comments

Thank you.

This pass a little time

InSpokane - November 25, 2008 reply

So Epstein is Mr. Burns?

Mariner John - November 25, 2008 reply

I'm so glad the telephone has finally found it's internet voice

seattlebruin - November 25, 2008 reply

You sir are awesome

Corco - November 25, 2008 reply

How did you acquire the phone transcripts?

Dewey N - November 25, 2008 reply

can somebody photoshop a little captains hat onto Theo?

msb - November 25, 2008 reply

I always thought it was "yahoy hoy"

Robert - November 25, 2008 reply

no no no

ahoy (hey!) hoy (small coaster vessel, usually sloop-rigged, used in conveying passengers and goods from place to place, or as a tender to larger vessels in port)

msb - November 25, 2008 reply

This bit of nautical terminology I did not know.

pdb - November 25, 2008 reply

The more you know.

BrianL - November 25, 2008 reply

I can see Cashman answering the phone with a simple "Yo."

Goose - November 25, 2008 reply

Kevin Towers seems like a "Talk to me" kind of guy

Jeff Sullivan - November 25, 2008 reply

and a guy who ends the conversation with "talk to ya"

because saying “later” just adds so much time to the conversation.

pdb - November 25, 2008 reply

I've taken my cue from the movies and don't even say goodbye anymore.

Teej - November 25, 2008 reply

and then you throw your phone at/to your assistant and head for the golf course.

pdb - November 25, 2008 reply

At work, phone conversations are one syllabub conversations.

“Yep. Right. Cool. Bye.”

Goose - November 25, 2008 reply

One of my favorite phone conversations ever

was one I overheard on the Red Line between downtown Boston and Harvard Square. There’s about a minute or so when the T is above ground, going over the river, and in that time some dude pulled out his phone, dialed a number, and said “Hi.(pause) Yes.(pause) Thanks” and hung up. I was in awe of the fact that conversation apparently couldn’t wait.

pdb - November 25, 2008 reply