Rob Neyer

  (11:56 AM)

Hey there. I'm jumping in a few minutes early because I have to jump out a few minutes early, thanks to a foolishly scheduled radio spot in St. Louis...

shane (knoxville)

from what I've heard, the Nats may be offering Teixera a 10 year deal. Would you agree with me that it is foolish to sign anyone over the age of 25 for 10 years?

Rob Neyer

  (11:57 AM)

Not Alex Rodriguez, necessarily. Or Willie Mays. But Mark Teixeira, who hasn't really been a *great* player during his 20s? Yeah.

kelsea (boston)

Washington post says a Tex decision is coming sometime today. What have you heard?

Rob Neyer

  (11:59 AM)

Just what I read in the "papers"; I do believe that everybody involved wants to get this thing resolved before the holidays.

Steiny (NYC)

This is from Matthew Cerrone at Metsblog.com: The Angels will first push for Manny if they lose Teixeira. If, however, Manny signs with the Yankees, the Angels could come knocking on Omar Minaya's door about 1B Carlos Delgado, who would be a one-year fix at first base, while also playing filling in at DH in the American League. Do like that idea and do you think it is a possibility?

Rob Neyer

  (12:00 PM)

I guess the missing piece of the question is who plays first base for the Mets? Because I don't see anyone else on the roster who's qualified for that role.

Steve (Cleveland)

Hi Rob, why haven't you joined the front office of a big league team yet? Is it you, or is it them?

Rob Neyer

  (12:01 PM)

It's both me and them. I'm not smart enough and they're not dumb enough.

Devlin (minny)

Peter Gammons thinks the Red Sox will eventually land Tex. But don't you think playing in a hometown is more important than playing for a winning team i.e loyalty

Rob Neyer

  (12:06 PM)

I think different things are important to different players. Usually -- not always, but usually -- I find it relatively non-productive to read minds.

Sam (Lake Bluff, IL)

Do you see any team taking Jason Marquis?

Rob Neyer

  (12:09 PM)

Oh sure. He's been almost exactly a (National) league average starter for two seasons running, which means he'll find a team and be able to afford a solid 3BR/1.5BA ranch. Maybe 4BR in today's market.

William Lew (Queens, NY)

What's your take on Austin Jackson? It seems like the Yankees always hype up their prospects so much and they never deliver. I want to see a homegrown star like Jeter, Posada, Rivera, etc make it. Too much to ask?

Rob Neyer

  (12:12 PM)

Well, it wasn't that long ago that Cano made it. Like everyone else, I like Jackson. The question isn't so much about his talent; rather, it's about the Yankees' patience. Every good prospect doesn't hit the ground running.

Toby (Harrisburg, PA)

Do you think Ibanez over Burrell is an upgrade and if so, why?

Rob Neyer

  (12:12 PM)

I think it's a slight downgrade, plus it makes the Phillies particularly vulnerable to left-handed relievers.

Jim (NJ)

Is it possible for the Twins to sign Joe Mauer or will he hit the FA market in 2010? And what would his value be if he was to stay at his current level of play with little injuries over the next 2 seasons? Thanks!

Rob Neyer

  (12:15 PM)

Actually, he's not going to be a free agent until 2011, at which point he'll become the highest-paid catcher ever. Probably. We've never really seen anyone -- exceptionally tall catcher who wins batting titles -- so it'll be a real challenge for teams, trying to put a $$ value on him.

Joseph (NYC)

Have you ever met Scott Boras? Thoughts?

Rob Neyer

  (12:16 PM)

I spent 20 minutes on the phone with him last summer. My guess is that he's usually the smartest guy in the room.

JR (Vegas)

Rob, Care to give us your 2 cents on the Furcal "fiasco"? Lot of finger pointing back and forth between Braves and Furcals agents. Who do we believe?

Rob Neyer

  (12:18 PM)

Both or neither, depending on how you think about such things. I'm sure both sides believe they're in the right on this one, and I'm sure both sides heard what they wanted to hear. And I think this whole thing will blow over before next winter (if not sooner).

Dan (Commack)

Isn't Manny way overvalued? 25 million a year? He costs so many runs on defense that his WARP is in the 8s.

Rob Neyer

  (12:20 PM)

Yes, I do believe that he's not worth $25 million, at least in terms of runs scored and runs allowed. But that's why the DH was invented, right?

Steve (Minn)

What's the value on Abreau? $10 million a year for two?

Rob Neyer

  (12:21 PM)

His agent would look at Raul Ibanez's contract and laugh at you. Which doesn't mean you're wrong...

Carly (Memphis)

If you were building a team from scratch today, who would you take first? Pedroia, Hanley, Wright, Sizemore, or someone else? I say Hanley.

Rob Neyer

  (12:22 PM)

I'd throw Jose Reyes into that mix. Then I'd find out everything I could possibly find about Hanley's defense at shortstop. Then I would make a really tough decision.

Floyd (Los Angeles, CA)

Tell me why Adam Dunn, 1B, Los Angeles Angels doesn't make sense.

Rob Neyer

  (12:24 PM)

Can he play first base? I mean, decently? And how good with the glove is Kendry Morales? Anyway, these questions are probably moot because the Angels don't like two-dimensional players if the two dimensions are homers and walks.

Kevin (STL)

No Pujols on that team you would build?

Rob Neyer

  (12:25 PM)

I assumed we're talking about building a team for (say) the next six years, and if that's the case I want a player in his early or middle 20s.

Bill (Baltimore)

Do you see the market so weak that players like Burrell, Abreau and Dunn will just negotiate a one year deal so they can re-enter the market next year?

Rob Neyer

  (12:26 PM)

Anything's possible, but considering that a lot of people think things could worse before they get better, I wonder if a two-year deal might be more attractive for those guys.

Insuk (Broomall)

What's your read on how long Bud will remain as commish? Any reason to think he's going to step down any time soon?

Rob Neyer

  (12:27 PM)

Think of him as a Supreme Court Justice; he'll have the job as long as he wants it, and he'll want it until he can't physically do it anymore.

Jon (Bay Area, California)

I'd take Evan Longoria over all the players that Carly mentioned.

Rob Neyer

  (12:28 PM)

Jon, I knew I was missing someone, and Longoria was the one. That said, I might want to see him play brilliantly for one more season. After all, those other guys are still exceptionally young superstars.

Jeff (Manchester, NH)

Are you going to the MIT Sports Business Conference again this year?

Rob Neyer

  (12:32 PM)

I hope to be there on March 7, Jeff. (For those who don't know what we're talking about, every winter MIT/Sloan hosts this conference in Cambridge, and I've been there to moderate a panel. People seem to really enjoy the conference.)

Chris (Chicago)

Does Dawson get in on the Hall vote this year?

Rob Neyer

  (12:33 PM)

He'll move up a little bit, but this year's going to be just Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice (and it just occurred to me, could two Hall of Famers at the same position be more different?).

Pratip (India)

How do *you* think this dramatic recession will affect this game we love? Fewer tickets next year? Lower dollar contracts? Something worse?

Rob Neyer

  (12:35 PM)

I don't think it'll bother us, as fans, all that much. Ticket prices may not rise as much as they would have otherwise, which is actually a good thing for most of us. Maybe it'll take an extra year or two for the Florida teams to get their new ballparks. Generally, it'll impact the front offices and the teams a lot more than it'll affect us. Baseball-wise, I mean.

Chris (Boston, MA)

Are you sure Mauer is under control through 2011? Cotts has him signed through 2010 and he has enough service time to be a FA by then.

Rob Neyer

  (12:38 PM)

I'm sorry, I should have been more clear ... Mauer does become a free agent *after* the 2010 season. When I said 2011, I meant that would be his first season with his new team (if he has one).

Don (NY, NY)

it almost seems as if Boston wants to under-bid Washington and be in a poition to tell Boras: take it or your client plays in Siberia with the reputation that he prefers the marginal dollar over October baseball. And in response, Boras is desperately trying to get the Yanks involved so his client has an out.

Rob Neyer

  (12:39 PM)

Could be, Don; and if anyone can do it, Boras can. There's never been anyone better.

John (NY)

Do you agree with all the negative press the Mets get? The Phillies like to complain about the Mets showing other teams up, but I remember Jimmy Rollins walking around the bases (from 2nd to 3rd) after a Ryan Howard home run in the World Series. I know Jose Reyes can be a bit crazy, but I actually think it's just excitement and enjoyment rather than an attempt to insult. It's annoying to see other players try to tear down a player who just really likes to play the game.

Rob Neyer

  (12:41 PM)

The Mets get negative press? I'm sorry to say that I missed that. Thanks for all the questions, have a fantastic holiday, and if you just can't get enough of me, I'm now jumping over the ESPN 1190 Radio in St. Louis. See you next week.