That's what we say, isn't it, whenever some soul-crushing free agent deal comes to pass? Sports is business. It might be true, but it usually sucks.
Sometimes it's good. (It's probably good exactly as often as it's bad, but sports fans are by nature pessimists.) For example, some recent good: the Rockies signing anybody and everybody to long-term deals, the most recent being Brad Hawpe. They've also reached four-year agreements with pitchers Aaron Cook and Manny Corpas. Matt Holliday got two more years. My favorite deal, of course, was the one with Troy Tulowitzki, who the Rockies ripped off to the tune of six years and $31 million. Of course, if Tulo had signed for 1 year and $150 million, I'd still defend the signing.
Unfortunately, Denver just got a big taste of the bad, too, as former Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker has reached a six-year deal with the Oakland Raiders. It's even worse because he wasn't a normal free agent; the Broncos had just cut Walker Friday, supposedly to get out of paying him a $5.4 million bonus.
$5.4 million is a freaking crapload of money, and it's not mine the Broncos would have spent, but you can't let such a clutch receiver go to your ultimate rival over something as fleeting as cash, can you?
For a guy who basically played one season for the Broncos (he was on the team for two years, but was injured much of the most recent season), Walker sure won me over in a hurry. Shoot, he had me sold in his second game as a Bronco, a 9-6 overtime win against Kansas City in which he made some key catches down the stretch. Then he spent the rest of the year doing nothing but catch long bomb after long bomb, even as the team fell apart around him. What a stud.
Unfortunately, Walker's first year ended in tragedy, as he was famously in the car with Darrent Williams when Williams was shot and killed. If Walker said to the Broncos this year that he just wanted out of Denver no matter what the cost, then I don't really fault him or the team, but I've seen no indication that that's the case.
It's also possible that the Broncos decided Walker's knee injuries are officially chronic, but on the other hand I'm sure the Raiders had him take a physical before signing the contract. Well, actually, I'm never sure with those guys, especially if Al Davis still has any input. And he should; he's certainly done a bang-up job the last few years.
I want Walker to do well in life and football, but going to the Raiders? Right now I feel like Moe Szyslak. I'm a well-wisher for Walker, in that I don't wish him any specific harm.
Comments
I actually remember reading something where Walker said there wasn't a place for him in Denver and the Broncos should trade him. (I think it was in the Denver Post, the paragon of good journalism.) I can imagine why he would want to leave the bad memories behind.
It is hard to imagine that Walker wouldn't have some trade value (although the $5.4 million bonus might have been a barrier). We should have traded him if for no other reason than to make sure he did stay in our division.
And whoever convinced Tulowitzki to take 6 years and $31 mill is the best executive or worst agent in MLB.
i don't think this is the end of the world. check out this synopsis from rotoworld:
Raiders agreed to terms with Javon Walker on a six-year, $55 million contract, with $16 million guaranteed. He'll make $27 million in the first three years.
Al Davis has lost his mind. Even Walker's old coach Mike Shanahan said the receiver eventually needed microfracture surgery on his chronically sore knee. No one else was bidding for Walker, and many teams publicly denounced any interest. Walker gained 57 yards on seven catches in his last five games last year, and barely seemed able to run. Perhaps he'll recover, but Walker isn't worth Randy Moss money even when healthy. Like Moss' deal with Oakland, this one could end ugly.