Yankees officially lock up Sheffield

[Zen-like Todd]

I'd think that this would knock them out of the market for Vlad, which is good for the Os.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8131-2003Dec17.html

[AJWatson3]

i was thinking the same thing. sounds like no other team has made a bid for vlad besides us. and the differences in the contracts proposed by the O's (5years-$65mil) and Vlad insane agent (8years-$144+mil) are so far off that Vlad is hoping some other team will try to bid up. because i think those in the O's FO are now not so stupid as to bid against themselves for his services... i do however think he is worth 5years at $15 mil per season. and i think that is what he'll sign for, maybe add another year on to it...