Cassel hoping to be traded sooner rather than later

[patsfanofNC12]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

Carolina is also a possible suitor, a lot of people down here are extremely unhappy with Delhomme after his playoff performance, and want Cassel.

 

[patchick]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

To play Devil's advocate here--don't the Patriots have two rather mutually exclusive goals here? (A) Have as good a backup QB as possible, (B) have as small a cap hit for Cassel as possible?

That's why I started with that big "if." If they actually plan to keep him then there is no timing to consider, everything's done. But if they don't, then faster is better.

To play devil's advocate against myself, though, if there are multiple suitors then a countervailing force might be to try to take the time to squeeze out the best possible trade compensation. Personally, though, I'd rather just settle for a decent package that can close quickly.

 

[jmt57]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

It makes sense for all parties involved to not let this drag out too long. Sure, the Pats might want to see teams get in a bidding war and drive up the price, but they also need to figure out what they can and can't do with their cap space, who to extend, who they may want to cut, etc. Though they can plan ahead, they can't finalize anything till the Cassel situation is resolved. They can also make more specific draft plans once they know exactly what draft picks they have.

For other teams considering to trade for Cassel, at some point they would have to move on and go to Plan B. Once free agency starts other QBs may be signed, leaving those teams with less options.

And for Cassel, naturally he wants to know where he'll be rather than sitting in limbo. Even though he realizes he's in for a big payday regardless of where he plays, of course he doesn't want the fate of his future to drag out.

 

[Spiral]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

I don't think anyone is going to wait for the combine. The top QB's probably won't be throwing there.

If you're one of the teams that's interested, you're probably already trying to work on the contract end of this deal with Cassel's agent(s). My guess is that Matt isn't going to try to squeeze the last dime out of this deal. Getting to a decent organization is probably his first priority. If a team can jump out there and get Matt to say "I really want to play here," it will give that team some leverage in trade talks with the Patriots. If there's a good team out there that thinks they can put a decent contract in front of him, they'd be crazy to wait.

 

[tombonneau]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

I believe the Pats have a number in mind...something like 2nd in 2009 and conditional 2nd in 2010 which becomes a 1st with reasonable playing time. That would be starting at the Schaub number but getting additional value if Cassel doesn't get hurt or totally flop. My reasoning behind this is that I don't believe that 2009 is the year to have an additional later 1st round pick...but the depth of the 2009 class is pretty solid

Gotta disagree big time here. I think the "anchor" of any Cassel trade is a 2009 first, with a 2009 second/third and/or 2010 conditional pick(s) being tacked on. But IMO there is no way he leaves without them getting immediate first round value in 2009.

 

[Metaphors]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

Gotta disagree big time here. I think the "anchor" of any Cassel trade is a 2009 first, with a 2009 second/third and/or 2010 conditional pick(s) being tacked on. But IMO there is no way he leaves without them getting immediate first round value in 2009.

Makes sense. My point was that if the Pats were looking for a 1st and 2nd as part of the deal, getting the 1st in 2010 and 2nd in 2009 may be a better order than the reverse. The 2009 draft class seems to be deep but not top heavy...meaning there doesn't seem to be 32 players with slam-dunk 1st round grades. Why would the Pats want two picks in this range?

Obviously the Pats could value this class differently. I was just putting my value system on the deal.

 

[ScottieC]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

The Patriots can't be so obvious about tag and trade, as the article suggests

I think considering the Tag came on the first day, they are being obvious for obvious reasons.

 

[mayoclinic]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

Assuming the Pats do intend to trade him (and yes, I assume that), the beautiful thing is that it's in everyone's best interest to get it done ASAP. Cassel wants to get settled and learning his new offense. The new team wants certainty about their QB situation...and to get him settled and learning his new offense. And the Pats want their salary cap back before free agency in in their rear-view mirror.

When all parties' interests coincide, deals usually get done.

I would agree with this. It's in everyone's best interest. By signing the franchise tender, Cassel essentially allowed the Pats to start shopping him early. He wants to know where he's going to be and start to get to know the players and system. Assuming the Pats are looking to move him for fair value, they will want to move him fast to take the cap hit off the books and be able to move forward. And whoever needs a QB will want to resolve that key issue ASAP.

 

[mayoclinic]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

To play devil's advocate against myself, though, if there are multiple suitors then a countervailing force might be to try to take the time to squeeze out the best possible trade compensation. Personally, though, I'd rather just settle for a decent package that can close quickly.

I think that as long as the Pats get something like "fair" value (whatever they deem that to be) they would rather close a deal fast than try to milk more out of it. They haven't been too "picky" in their trades the past 2 years. A lot of people griped that they should have got more from SF for 1(28) 2 years ago, but they ended up with Mayo and Moss out of it. A lot of people griped that they should have got more for their early third than SD's 2nd, which looked like a late 2nd at the time, but they are ending up with a mid-2nd round pick. So it doesn't seem like they are the type to hold up a good deal trying to squeeze out more.

 

[tombonneau]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

Makes sense. My point was that if the Pats were looking for a 1st and 2nd as part of the deal, getting the 1st in 2010 and 2nd in 2009 may be a better order than the reverse. The 2009 draft class seems to be deep but not top heavy...meaning there doesn't seem to be 32 players with slam-dunk 1st round grades. Why would the Pats want two picks in this range?

Obviously the Pats could value this class differently. I was just putting my value system on the deal.

I don't know. You try to take into account class depth, etc. and you run the risk of out-thinking the room.

I think that the Pats would love to have two picks in the low-20s this year, as it gives them ammo to move up into the low-teens for a Mayo/Warren 2009 impact type player, or sit tight and take two guys, likely a Top 3 LB and Top 3 DB.

And if you have a chance -- in the current year -- to draft Top 3 talent at two positions of need, you don't pass it up.

 

[stevedogc]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

I agree with the assessment that it benefits all parties to get this done as quick as posible. One point that has not been brought up yet is that trading for Cassel early in the trading period may make that team look more attractive to other free agents. Suppose the Vikings are interested in sign Houshmanzdah as the #1 receiver, it may help the process out by having Cassel already on board. I think this may result teams getting involved right away may result n these teams putting time limits on the offer. Offer good til the end of the week for examle.

 

[Jimke]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

I think that as long as the Pats get something like "fair" value (whatever they deem that to be) they would rather close a deal fast than try to milk more out of it. They haven't been too "picky" in their trades the past 2 years. A lot of people griped that they should have got more from SF for 1(28) 2 years ago, but they ended up with Mayo and Moss out of it. A lot of people griped that they should have got more for their early third than SD's 2nd, which looked like a late 2nd at the time, but they are ending up with a mid-2nd round pick. So it doesn't seem like they are the type to hold up a good deal trying to squeeze out more.

Teams that get greedy sometimes see the market dry up very quickly

and get little or nothing for the player.

 

[mayoclinic]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

One point that has not been brought up yet is that trading for Cassel early in the trading period may make that team look more attractive to other free agents. Suppose the Vikings are interested in sign Houshmanzdah as the #1 receiver, it may help the process out by having Cassel already on board. I think this may result teams getting involved right away may result n these teams putting time limits on the offer. Offer good til the end of the week for examle.

Excellent point, which I hadn't really considered.

 

[mgcolby]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

By February 27th the Pats will have had 3 weeks for teams to submit their best offers and a full week after the combine - for any teams that maybe thinking that Cassel's price is too steep and want to check out Stafford and Sanchez up close and personal.

They will have their best offer on the table by the 26th and at 12:01 am February 27th Matt Cassel will be the property of a team not named the Patriots.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

By February 27th the Pats will have had 3 weeks for teams to submit their best offers and a full week after the combine - for any teams that maybe thinking that Cassel's price is too steep and want to check out Stafford and Sanchez up close and personal.

They will have their best offer on the table by the 26th and at 12:01 am February 27th Matt Cassel will be the property of a team not named the Patriots.

Well, the combine is where a lot of free agent deals get done (Collusion?!? Did someone mention collusion?). I bet the Pats will be shopping Cassel there too.

I hope that Cassel is traded on the first day of free agency, but I won't hold my breathe. Sometimes these things take a while. I think everyone involved wants this done as fast as possible though.

 

[mgcolby]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

Well, the combine is where a lot of free agent deals get done (Collusion?!? Did someone mention collusion?). I bet the Pats will be shopping Cassel there too.

I hope that Cassel is traded on the first day of free agency, but I won't hold my breathe. Sometimes these things take a while. I think everyone involved wants this done as fast as possible though.

IMO, the Pats want it done as soon as possible and are/will be using this three week period to work out a trade, and give time for Cassel and his agent to work out a deal with the new team.

Its in their best interest to have this situation done within minutes of the FA period, unless they don't plan on being a major player in FA or are already out of the running for the "big prize" FA they may have targetted.

It just makes to much sense for all parties involved:

1. The Pats get the compensation they want and free up the cap space within minutes of FA beggining.

2. The new team gets Cassel in time for the offseason and makes a big splash with their fans on the first day of FA.

3. Cassel for the first time in his collegiate or professional career goes into an offseason as the undisputed starter. That has to be a great feeling for him. Oh, and he gets the long term deal he wanted.

Its a win-win-win

 

[upstater1]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

Beyond clearing up heir own cap issues, the Patriots may also feel that the price for Cassel might be greater in the beginning of free agency for two reasons:

1. A team might be willing to pay more for Cassel in draft picks if they come to a reasonable agreement with him in terms of salary. This should be determined immediately by Cassel's agents. If the team sees the salary is right for them, they might be willing to ante up for the Patriots because they'd get a QB early enough in the year to have him settle into the position.

2. There are a lot of teams who need QBs, but many GMs will not want to take on the risk of trading for Cassel. I think the market for him will be limited, though that doesn't mean the limited amount of players won't meet the Patriots demands. It does mean, however, that the Patriots might not be inclined to wait, if they too believe only a few GMs are willing to take the chance.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

IMO, the Pats want it done as soon as possible and are/will be using this three week period to work out a trade, and give time for Cassel and his agent to work out a deal with the new team.

Its in their best interest to have this situation done within minutes of the FA period, unless they don't plan on being a major player in FA or are already out of the running for the "big prize" FA they may have targetted.

It just makes to much sense for all parties involved:

1. The Pats get the compensation they want and free up the cap space within minutes of FA beggining.

2. The new team gets Cassel in time for the offseason and makes a big splash with their fans on the first day of FA.

3. Cassel for the first time in his collegiate or professional career goes into an offseason as the undisputed starter. That has to be a great feeling for him. Oh, and he gets the long term deal he wanted.

Its a win-win-win

The Pats may want to get the deal done quickly. I don't disagree that they want to get the deal done quickly. The problem is that there are a lot of moving parts to getting Cassel traded and sometimes the wheels move slower than we would want it to do. The Pats will need to get a trade deal in place and Cassel would need a long term contract done before a trade could happen. Even with three weeks, that might not be enough time.

 

[tombonneau]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

The Pats may want to get the deal done quickly. I don't disagree that they want to get the deal done quickly. The problem is that there are a lot of moving parts to getting Cassel traded and sometimes the wheels move slower than we would want it to do. The Pats will need to get a trade deal in place and Cassel would need a long term contract done before a trade could happen. Even with three weeks, that might not be enough time.

Dunno, think you might be unnecessarily pessimistic in your time frame. Remember, there are player for picks trades that are done on draft day within minutes (e.g. Moss to Pats. ) Now granted, some if not most of these deals there is already framework in place, but the deal still goes down quickly.

If there is a team hot to trot for Cassel, there is no reason that the deal can't go down in a matter of days. The delay could come if there are two or more serious suitors and the Pats want to squeeze after last ounce of value out of the deal (not to mention Cassel and his agent ...).

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Re: Cassel Hoping to Be Traded Sooner Than Later

By February 27th the Pats will have had 3 weeks for teams to submit their best offers and a full week after the combine - for any teams that maybe thinking that Cassel's price is too steep and want to check out Stafford and Sanchez up close and personal.

They will have their best offer on the table by the 26th and at 12:01 am February 27th Matt Cassel will be the property of a team not named the Patriots.

Assuming Stafford and Sanchez don't decide to wait and throw to their own receivers at their Pro-Days...