Mario Trade Idea

[WMH]

I'm wondering if applying the tag is a game they will play. A tag @ $22ishMM is not something they can absorb. If they apply it, and don't find a trade partner, the agent/Mario has no reason whatsoever to "make a deal." He then has the Texans by the balls. If they reach a stalemate, some pretty significant folks might have to get the ax to get under the cap. Other teams know the same scenario, so why would they want to give up a package of now affordable picks for a guy they know the Texans can't afford without chopping some significant heads. Pretty dangerous game if you ask me.

They might make a legimate effort to keep him around, without applying the tag. If it doesn't work, then he walks.

He walks, the Texans not only have money for Foster, Myers, and Dressen, but could also be in play for a lower-upper tier FA WR.

Food for thought on this dreary, rainy, Wednesday morning.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by WMH

I'm wondering if applying the tag is a game they will play. A tag @ $22ishMM is not something they can absorb. If they apply it, and don't find a trade partner, the agent/Mario has no reason whatsoever to "make a deal." He then has the Texans by the balls. If they reach a stalemate, some pretty significant folks might have to get the ax to get under the cap. Other teams know the same scenario, so why would they want to give up a package of now affordable picks for a guy they know the Texans can't afford without chopping some significant heads. Pretty dangerous game if you ask me.

They might make a legimate effort to keep him around, without applying the tag. If it doesn't work, then he walks.

He walks, the Texans not only have money for Foster, Myers, and Dressen, but could also be in play for a lower-upper tier FA WR.

Food for thought on this dreary, rainy, Wednesday morning.

I don't think it would be that hard to make a deal. Sure teams may know we don't want to keep him, but knowing we may not keep him and having him on your team is two different things. If I am another team and I want Mario, I can make a deal with Houston or be one of a half a dozen teams bidding in FA and wondering where he wants to go.

Another team knowing we will get rid of him only takes away leverage if they know they are the team he will choose in FA.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by barrett

I don't think it would be that hard to make a deal. Sure teams may know we don't want to keep him, but knowing we may not keep him and having him on your team is two different things. If I am another team and I want Mario, I can make a deal with Houston or be one of a half a dozen teams bidding in FA and wondering where he wants to go.

Another team knowing we will get rid of him only takes away leverage if they know they are the team he will choose in FA.

I hear ya, but one comes before the other, meaning the tag will be placed prior to FA begining. So playing those against each other really doesn't work in this instance. If he is a trade candidate, then that means he is tagged, and he has no FA rights.

So, will multiple teams be interested in trading high value, lower $ cost, picks for him? That's the only way the price gets reasonable in the Texans favor. And will the Texans make a $22MM gamble that they can pull off a trade?

[cadams]

i believe that the texans can recind the franchise tag within a certain amount of time from when he signs the tender.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by cadams

i believe that the texans can recind the franchise tag within a certain amount of time from when he signs the tender.

They can rescind it anytime until he signs it, but once he signs it there's a binding, one-year contract. Most guys who get tagged aren't in a big rush to sign the tender because they'd rather try to work out a long-term deal or try to somehow finagle out of the tag so they can hit the open market. There are exceptions, though -- in 2009 Matt Cassel signed his $14 million tender from the Patriots two days after it was offered. After he was traded to the Chiefs he renegotiated that into a six-year contract with $28 million guaranteed.

[cadams]

yeah, i know it was like that in the past, but i thought i heard something on the radio that said there was something different in the new cba on this issue. i could have misheard it though.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by Warren

They can rescind it anytime until he signs it, but once he signs it there's a binding, one-year contract. Most guys who get tagged aren't in a big rush to sign the tender because they'd rather try to work out a long-term deal or try to somehow finagle out of the tag so they can hit the open market. There are exceptions, though -- in 2009 Matt Cassel signed his $14 million tender from the Patriots two days after it was offered. After he was traded to the Chiefs he renegotiated that into a six-year contract with $28 million guaranteed.

Good info from you and cadams. I wasn't aware that it could be rescinded. If Mario would have to sign the tender prior to being traded, doesn't that mean that we would have to have cap room for that tag. Could be a big obstacle, even if it is a short term one, as, IIRC, I don't think the league is real lenient with that.

I asked Paul K @ ESPN regarding the actual tag #, and he is thinking it is closer to $16MM than $22MM. Who the hell knows, but neither figure is good for us in this spot.

While I am not opposed to trading, resigning him, or letting him walk, I don't think the tag and trade is going to be a very easy task.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by WMH

I asked Paul K @ ESPN regarding the actual tag #, and he is thinking it is closer to $16MM than $22MM. Who the hell knows, but neither figure is good for us in this spot.

While I am not opposed to trading, resigning him, or letting him walk, I don't think the tag and trade is going to be a very easy task.

To me, the possibility that the tag number is closer to $16 mill than $22 mill is pretty big news. With that number, I think franchising him might still be doable, as this is about what he's been counting against the cap for the last couple years. Think of it this way, last year Mario counted about that against the cap. How come everyone wasn't screaming that we have to cut Mario and save this $16 mill? Just look at 2012 as if he still had 1 year left on his contract.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by WMH

If Mario would have to sign the tender prior to being traded, doesn't that mean that we would have to have cap room for that tag. Could be a big obstacle, even if it is a short term one, as, IIRC, I don't think the league is real lenient with that.

The tender counts against the cap as soon as the player is tagged, even before it is signed. On the plus side, since there's no bonus with a tender, if you trade a guy who has signed his tender there isn't any dead money left against your cap.