This is from a side discussion in another thread, but I thought it might be worth asking here as well:

Who is on the hook for Bengie's 2010 bonus money?  It appears that in addition to his $4.5M base salary, Molina will start earning extra cash when he makes his 90th start ($.25M).  Every 5th start thereafter, he gets another $.25M until he maxes out at $1.5M total with his 115th start (or something along those lines).  While I am not completely familiar with the situation down in Texas, I get the sense that Bengie is in line for the lion's share of starts, so it is not inconceivable that he may earn a good portion, if not all, of his incentives.

Glaring omission in the press

All of the press reports so far (that I've found) state that Bengie was sent to the Rangers along with the remainder of his $4.5M base salary, but I have yet to see any reports that address his potential bonus pay.  Normally I would assume (correctly or incorrectly) that Texas would pick it up, probably since their personnel decisions would directly influence his ability to earn them.

Rangers not allowed to take on additional salary

The Rangers, however, are in bankruptcy and pending a sale.  Some combination of the bankruptcy judge and MLB must approve all trades (and likely scrutinize all of their liabilities).  The press uses the shorthand Rangers not allowed to take on additional salary to describe their limitations, but I'm not sure if that's absolute.  But since the Giants had to pay the entire $2M+ left on his base salary, it's obvious that cash liabilities are priority number one.  Would the judge/MLB in good faith to the Rangers' creditors allow the them to take on this additional liability, even if it's deferred?  Would the MLBPA even consider allowing this to happen?  I doubt it.

Information on Bengie's contract dubious from the start

The trade as reported, sounds like a fairly equal trade by most measures:  the cash and players involved roughly evens out.  However, Bengie's contract, from the very beginning, has been tip-toed around by the Giants FO.  Consider that at the time they signed him for $4.5M, we were all a little shocked because it looked like the Mets were going to pay him $5.5M.  It was only after a few weeks passed that the incentive package was quietly reported (and even then, as I recall, it was a bit vague).  The terms of the contract that was potentially worth a cool $6M was, by my observation, diluted in the press over time.

Passive PR ploy?

I understand the Giants' need for good PR to keep the fan base on their side, therefore I can see why they wouldn't mention Molina's incentives when announcing this trade if they continue to be on the hook for them.  To flat out lie is unforgivable, but to aid in under-reporting a (crucial? substantial?) part of the story?  You can spread the blame among the beat writers and FO, especially if it comes out several weeks from now or in the off-season.  As long as the press doesn't ask the question, no problem!

Contrived "Square Deal"

Personally, the Bengie drop is good enough for me for all the obvious reasons.  The extra $1.5M?  Whatever (it's not my money).  Yet, it's the way that the Giants are treating the situation that's got me bugged:  like a booty call being whisked out the front door before your roommates come home (uh, so I'm told).  Unless, of course, I am totally out in the LF View Reserved section on this one, it appears that the Giants are trying to contrive a "square deal."

Do the Giants pick up Bengie's bonus money?  Has anyone found any reports that address this (and quash this "conspiracy theory").

At yesterday's game, I spontaneously dodged slipped into the fanshop on the view level behind home plate and walked out with a beautiful brand new 39Thirty BP/ST style cap (and yes, I did pay for it... gulp).  I generally pick up a new one every season, and in this case, I was way overdue and opted for something a bit sturdier and more formidable than the floppy Franchise style hats I usually buy.

The new lid, as I said, is a New Era 39Thirty (similar to the pic below, but with gray crown and black rim) with a breathable polyester mesh fabric that, unlike wool/cotton, won't shrink.

I was wondering if anyone here has had any experience with these hats, and if so, what method you use to break in the stiff front panel so it doesn't feel like you're wearing a ten-gallon hat? 

I've read of a few techniques used for the 59Fiftys (authentic game hats) but they generally involve shrinking the wool crown to the shape of your head (the old soak-wear-dry maneuver).  I've also heard of some people working an X-acto knife to cut out the stiff mesh inside the front panel, but it appears to be glued or super-starched fabric (or something) on these hats, but maybe I'm just afraid to start slicing up my new friend.

Any ideas?  I'm dying to wear it in public without looking like a complete Gomer (or, I should say, I'd like the hat not to contribute to any Gomer-ness I may already exude).

via mlb.imageg.net

Next week I will finally make it out to my first Giants game this year, which is especially exciting because our group will include my little 18 month old niece.  It will be her first game EVER and I expect that it may be some combination of fascinating, overwhelming, etc., for her. 

I'm sure that she will often want to take us exploring around the park (thank god Grammy will be there!).  The Coke slide and mini field seem like obvious destinations (even though she may be too small, she would really dig watching the other kids for awhile), but I was wondering if any of you toddler veterans could suggest anything else that someone her age may like to check out. 

I know every little ankle biter has their own individual tastes, but any ideas you guys may have would be greatly appreciated!

Which of your favorite Dodgers is going to get a sizzling fastball in the ear flap? 

Which of your favorite Giants will administer the horse hide injection? 

Will it be the first order of business, or will it require a specific game scenario?

Will it be used to settle some old bad blood?

Will it happen at all? 

Call it here!!!

Some initial thoughts on potential principals:

Timmy -- probably prefers the chance to K 10 and pick up a win rather than get tossed

Wilson -- feelings hurt by Blake, but only comes in when the game is on the line

Medders -- would likely miss anyone he threw at

Most young bullpen guys -- need good numbers, but clubhouse love can come instantly.

Rihanna's boyfriend -- HR and tried to swipe a bag with lopsided score, but got put out by embarrassing slide

Ethier -- has been hitting it deep... good target

Russel Martin -- sucks just fine on his own, lives the nightmare of being himself... Martyr material?

Manny -- gives him an excuse for another day off at the beach

I can't remember where I left my car keys last night, but I do remember that for some time in the post-Happy Pete era, this guy was frequently mentioned in the whines around the interweb as the bat at the corners the Giants desperately needed.  I do recall that he's either been too slippery for the front office to get a hold of, or the Giants wanted to low-ball him (or actually just pay him what he's worth?)...

Which brings up my question [cue theme music with flyover Southfork Ranch]:  Can (will) Dallas McPherson contribute to the big club?

The press reports of this transaction often quote his AAA HR numbers from a town that seems to have a lot less gravity than the rest of planet Earth, and his MLB stats are like small grains of pepper sprinkled throughout the years.  Not much to go on, at least in the small part of the universe between my ears.

On paper, at least, he seems like an infield Adam Dunn who either K's or homers (though he had a good chunk of 2B's in 2005).  But can he hit MLB pitching, or is he another Crash McClain?

Let's just say he tears it up in Fresno (why not?)...  How does he make the trip up north?  Would it require injuries in SF?  Ishi failure?  or could he outright retire Richie?

I'm curious what the temp here is on our new friend, Mr. Dallas McPherson, if you please...

Schulman's latest is that Sabean is leaning toward a spring trade...  is this for real, or is he going to do this to us all season?

Which teams could Sabes be watching as possible salary dumpers?  And moreover, which players could be made available/on the block?

(someone mentioned Nick Johnson, but it made me throw up in my mouth)

As a mere mortal, I appeal to the higher knowledge of this board to help explain to me that our beloved GM isn't just stringing us along on his final leap off the cliff.