Hmm. Multiple reports surfaced Tuesday night that the Cincinnati Reds have agreed to sign former Phillies relief pitcher Ryan Madson to a one-year deal. According to Jim Bowden of Sirius/XM MLB Network Radio, it’s worth in excess of $10 million. Bob Nightengale of USA Today, it’s worth just $8.5 million.
This is certainly a departure from the beginning of free agency when it appeared Madson would be back with the Phillies on a four-year contract worth somewhere in the $44 million neighborhood. That contract never completely materialized, and now here stands Madson; about to ink a one-year contract with a mediocre team.
We don’t know the specifics of what did or did not happen between Madson and the Phillies, but Scott Boras may have cost his client a lot of money by playing hardball. If that report was not true, then this still makes the Phillies look pseudo-ridiculous for their handling of the closer position.
They signed Jonathan Papelbon to a very rich four-year deal when the market said wait. Now, it appears the Phillies may have overpaid for Papelbon – like way overpaid. Had they waited it out, which is not really Ruben Amaro’s strong suit, then they may have had a viable closer at a bargain-basement price.
That’s all in the past, however. If this report of Madson to the Reds is true, then we wish him the very best in NL Central. Just not against the Phillies.
