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Originally Posted by BirdWatcher
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SP Cheol-han Lee 98-38 (.721) record (from 1970-1975 only - all the info I had at hand).
The question is, WHY did he opt out? Was it because of money? No. He only had one more year left on his contract. He wanted to capitalize on yet another great year and sign a contract to get him to the end of his career or close to it. You really can't blame the guy. It makes sense. He probably will even make additional money as well. What he has done for the Denver Brewers, he deserves it.
Just how important is he to the organization of now and the near future while he is still playing and where does he stand in regards to "retiring as a Brewer" before he is most assuredly voted into the Hall of Fame? If I remember correctly you had mentioned that you wanted him to retire a Brewer, am I right? He is 34 now, (how far from 35 I don't know) how long before he begins to break down? Does that make any difference if he IS destined to retire in the purple? Does the price to sign him back matter at all? I think that I know the answer to all of these questions, and if I am correct he will be back in a Brewer uniform when pitchers and catchers report in February (assuming he doesn't decide to sign with another team). Which I think he won't.
Get a meeting with him asap, gauge his interest, if you feel he is a wiggling worm hook him right then and there. Give him your best offer with incentives to sweeten the deal (this time with no opt outs or options, either player or team. You want him to retire a Brewer right?). Then close the deal with your first Hall of Famer SP Cheol-han Lee.
Then it's time to go celebrate!
Have a Great night my man!
Palaaemon