According to Frank Hughes at the TNT, Bentley wants to see whats out there. This is kind of surprising to me, honestly. It is not like he as ever shown that he is a definite starter for someone. He is obviously a nice piece for a team, but I doubt anyone is willing to take a chance on him as a starting MLB. At least not a team that hopes to contend. It is too risky.
I for one will hold out hope that he comes back. Pork Chop did this last year and then came back for a 1yr deal. Bentley may find the same type of thing. Nothing I have seen looking at free agency even mentions his name. If he leaves, you can add LB to the Hawks list of draft day options. Which isn't a terrible idea anyway, JP is getttin' on in age and will have to be replaced sometime.
I'm not too worried about losing Bentley. He is good, and I like him, but I would think Koutivides is a larger concern. Any word on him? He's a UFA, right?
ReplyDeleteAn even bigger worry is that hill and lofas contracts will run out soon and if we cant get them back we'll have terrible depth. lofa is gonna want big money, wich might mean hill will walk. they might want to get a couple in this years draft atleast for depth.
ReplyDeleteI think this has little effect for the Hawks as far as LB position goes. The team will simply slide Herring into that spot and not carry 7 LBs. That frees up a space for DB, DL, WR or maybe even RB.
ReplyDeleteNow if Niko leaves, then the team will need a LB in the draft.
There will plenty of money for Lofa and Leroy. There is lots of room against the cap next year and I don't see any big name signings on the horizon. Plus, now that guys Ruskell drafted have there rookie deals expiring, i have a feeling he will be a touch more inclined to sign them during the season.
ReplyDeleteNot that it affects this year, but how will an uncapped year factor into Lofa and Leroy's contracts. I mean, if I knew that was coming, I wouldn't be too motivated to re-sign the year before a potentially ridiculous payday.
ReplyDeletesteffes, I have a question, if we have a considerable amount of room in 2009, why cant we go after some of the big names thisyear, not give them alot in the first year of the deal pay them well next year to make up for it and possibly backload the rest. it seems like thats what everyone else is diong is heavily backloading most contracts. so we dont pay that well in year 1 (08) but make up for it in year 2 (09) etc. Is this a possibility?
ReplyDeletethank for an awesome web site
justin
spokane