You don't have to agree but this is how Jays fans feel about it. It was 20 years of pent-up frustration released at that moment.
Especially when you know that it was the PEDs that gave him the numbers that he's asking so much money for.
...I gotcha, but keep in mind that this is a Yanx board and most around here are not very fond of the Jays, Rays, Sox, O's....well you get the idea. ...if someone on a Jays message board were to post what an ass Gossage is, I certainly would not try to defend him on a "foreign" board...and would not expect the Jays posters there to be very receptive if I did. (fwiw, yes, Gossage can be an ass and likes to shoot his mouth off a lot) ...as far as Bautista, you're right, 3 years is as far as I'd wanna go...but if I were a Jays fan the thing that would concern me the most is considering how violent his swing is, his wrist issue could flare up again.
I mean, I get it-- his agent is seeing Pujols and Cabrera getting $30MM at 40, 41-years old, and thinking that he's at that level. And the Jays can't expect EE to be smacking dingers in two or three years based on his body type, so they don't really have a long term plan B. Both guys are destined for DH. I wish I could say the Jays won't give Bautista what he's asking for but I don't know at this point. Does it come down to whether or not another team is willing? Do you do business based on how other teams do business?
I'd rather create the business model, rather than copy another Teams business model...jest sayin'... Personally, If I were the Jays Brass, I'd be looking to invest my Teams future in a much younger player, who can equate to Joey's numbers in due time....but then, who would said younger player be....??
Speeds you make some good points BUT.........................you mention Pujols & Cabrera who have been putting up the same numbers consistantly year after year for there entire careers. Than you looks at Bautista going from 15 HRs & 64 RBI in 2007 with 532 ABs to a short 3 years later in equal number at bats his HR total jumps to 54 & RBI to 124. Sorry but this guy is destined for a major breakdown in his numbers due to what he's putting into his body and also his age in the very near future. So I'm in full agreement with you that if I'm the Jays I'd give him 3 years TOPS! but not at $30M. I'd go maybe 3 @ $75M. JMO.
No problem, I get it, and yeah others are entitled to theirs. Jays fans can think He's the 2nd coming of Christ; but I still think Joey Bats is a Fraud, ... now Tulo, He's another story, IMO.... best SS in the game, ntm- Andrelton is hot on his heels... Speeds, don't get me wrong, I've been to quit a few Jays games when old Exhibition Stadium was their home, in 78, 80 and 84; (I never understood why anyone would sit in the CF seats being so far away from the wall, and yes I'm aware it was home of the CFL Argonauts,).... I took in a home stand in the Sky Dome's opening year, 89, vs the Yanx; and enjoyed every minute of the games and stadium, (other than the fact, I wore my Yanx hat and Starter Coat, Jersey too with pride, but my eldest Son had to wear his Jays garb, despite me. I was born a Yankee Fan, due in part by my GrandPa's insistence, and constant 'spoon feeding'- story telling of seeing Babe and Lou, DiMaggio, and Mick. He was a lucky man to see those Bustin' Babes and Larrupin Lous barnstorming tours; and He filled my head full of those visceral memories...Epic Giant Legends, in my childhood head... Being a legal immigrant around the turn of the 19th to 20th Centuries, his loyalties stayed in his new found home country, and would chastise us for speaking French, saying often: "damn it kids, your in America now, speak its native language, damn it, speak English". Tho' he wished the Expos, and prior AAA Montreal Royals well; he never wavered when it came to the Yanx, and as I've mentioned on these boards prior, watching the last (6th) game of the 81 W.Series with him, was a highlight of my life, and the last game he'd ever see, as he passed 2 weeks later.... Que les grandes équipes du nord de baseball soit béni, que les Yankees gagnent toujours.
I see that Cashman and Girardi met with Goose, would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for that. Feature old Namby Ass Cashman saying now Goose, you were mean to Jose and have embarrassed the Yankees. To which Gossage should retort no Cashman it is you who have embarrassed this franchise with all of your shitty deals. I remember a game at the stadium in '80 between the Red Sox and Yankees. Senor Tiant pitched 7, Gossage 2. His pitches were like bullets hitting the intended target. Yanks won the game 2-1. The man was a competator for certain.