Front Office Football Central  

Go Back   Front Office Football Central > Archives > FOFC Archive
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read Statistics

View Poll Results: How much per year will A-Rod's new contract be for?
Less than 20 million 1 2.17%
20 million 2 4.35%
21 0 0%
22 1 2.17%
23 1 2.17%
24 1 2.17%
25 7 15.22%
26 0 0%
27 5 10.87%
28 3 6.52%
29 0 0%
30 or more 25 54.35%
Voters: 46. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 07-24-2007, 10:06 AM   #1
Barkeep49
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Not too far away
How much will A-Rod Make?

Assuming he opts out of his contract how much will he sign for? This came out of a discussion DaddyTorgo, CoffeeWarlord, and I had last night when we met for drinks.

Poll choices coming shortly.

Barkeep49 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 10:09 AM   #2
Barkeep49
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Not too far away
I also apologize as I forgot to give a 13th choice: "He'll insist on being paid in trout"
Barkeep49 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 10:11 AM   #3
larrymcg421
Head Coach
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Georgia
If it's not 30 or more, he needs a new agent.
__________________
Top 10 Songs of the Year 1955-Present (1976 Added)

Franchise Portfolio Draft Winner
Fictional Character Draft Winner
Television Family Draft Winner
Build Your Own Hollywood Studio Draft Winner
larrymcg421 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 10:24 AM   #4
Ksyrup
This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off.
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: In Absentia
Who is Boras going to get to bid against the Yankees? The Angels have made noises about not getting involved and I tend to believe them when they say they are not interested in spending 25% of payroll on 1 guy, especially with Vlad on the team at half what ARod would get.

Since this is all about Boras and has nothing to do with what Arod wants, I say he stays in NY and gets a piece of the team. Or, if the Yankees really do play hardball during the 2 weeks they have to negotiate once the season ends, I could see him taking less per year with another team and an even greater ownership chunk down the road. I don't think this contract is going to be measured in terms of dollars per year. I say he gets a piece of whatever team he signs with as a way to save face for Boras not getting $30M+ a year.
__________________
M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."
Ksyrup is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 10:26 AM   #5
Logan
Head Coach
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: NYC
San Fran, both Chicago teams, even Boston. Lot of money coming off those books.

Last edited by Logan : 07-24-2007 at 10:27 AM.
Logan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 10:26 AM   #6
Logan
Head Coach
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: NYC
This poll should be revised to start with 28 (no under) and go up from there.
Logan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 10:36 AM   #7
stevew
Hall Of Famer
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: the yo'
I guess if he's shredding a 3 yr/almost 90m deal, he should be expecting at least close to 30m per year. My guess is that he nabs at least an 7 or 8 year deal for in excess of 200m.
stevew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 10:36 AM   #8
Ksyrup
This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off.
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: In Absentia
I could see San Fran as a legit target, but I don't think either Chicago could seriously bid on him. First, the Cubs can't even get their shit together to sign Zambrano, and they just added $300M in contracts last year. The White Sox...who the hell wants to play there, and would they really spend that kind of money? Can't see it at all. Boston, I could see getting in on the bidding just to up the ante for the Yankees, but I don't know. That pairing just doesn't seem like it would work, especially after 2004 when pretty much everyone said they were glad the Texas deal never happened.
__________________
M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."
Ksyrup is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 10:37 AM   #9
Barkeep49
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Not too far away
Ksyrup, I think Boras showed last time that he's more than capable of getting teams to bid against themselves.
Barkeep49 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 10:39 AM   #10
Ksyrup
This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off.
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: In Absentia
And that's why I said I think he stays with NY, but I think the deal will not be strictly cash, it will be creative to (a) make it affordable, (b) appease the Commissioner's Office (by way of the team that signs him), and (c) save face when he doesn't get the dollars he wants. Forget $30M, Boras is starting at $40M. No way he comes close to that, and once it gets out, he's got to show value for his client that comes close to matching what he first threw out there.
__________________
M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."
Ksyrup is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 10:45 AM   #11
cthomer5000
Strategy Moderator
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: North Carolina
For the non-baseball followers, can someone give me a brief rundown of:

-what, if anything, it costs him to opt out of the remainder of his deal?
-how much he will be leaving on the table from his current deal? (years + money)
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by albionmoonlight View Post
This is like watching a car wreck. But one where, every so often, someone walks over and punches the driver in the face as he struggles to free himself from the wreckage.
cthomer5000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 10:47 AM   #12
Ksyrup
This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off.
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: In Absentia
Doesn't cost him a dime, but he's leaving 3 years, $81M on the table.
__________________
M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."
Ksyrup is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 10:48 AM   #13
stevew
Hall Of Famer
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: the yo'
Quote:
Originally Posted by cthomer5000 View Post
For the non-baseball followers, can someone give me a brief rundown of:

-what, if anything, it costs him to opt out of the remainder of his deal?
-how much he will be leaving on the table from his current deal? (years + money)

Approximately 3 years and 80ish million is left on his current deal.
stevew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 11:24 AM   #14
MikeVic
Head Coach
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Hometown of Canada
Ehh, I don't know if ARod would get a stake in ownership with the Yankees?
MikeVic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 11:27 AM   #15
gstelmack
Pro Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Cary, NC
What about the Mets, who have shown a willingness to spend lately? Wouldn't stealing ARod from the Yankees give them a boost?
__________________
-- Greg
-- Author of various FOF utilities
gstelmack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 11:28 AM   #16
rkmsuf
Head Coach
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Boston will make a big push. Lowell's deal is up and they'll at least take a run at A-Fraud.

It's complicated though. I'd guess the Red Sox would try and move Manny in that case. They might be able too since his deal is almost up.
__________________
"Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales
rkmsuf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 11:32 AM   #17
Logan
Head Coach
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: NYC
We don't really need him (I say that knowing it sounds stupid when talking about a 50+ HR guy). Reyes and Wright are the young cornerstones of the offense, and money will need to be spent on both corner OF spots and catcher this offseason, plus a starter. While the Mets are in great financial shape with the new network and Citi Field opening in 2009, they will still operate within a relatively reasonable budget. Omar won't commit $200MM to one player.
Logan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 11:50 AM   #18
Desnudo
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Here and There
Quote:
Originally Posted by rkmsuf View Post
Boston will make a big push. Lowell's deal is up and they'll at least take a run at A-Fraud.

It's complicated though. I'd guess the Red Sox would try and move Manny in that case. They might be able too since his deal is almost up.

That thought depresses me. The though of A-Rod as part owner of the Yankees makes me happy.
Desnudo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 11:51 AM   #19
rkmsuf
Head Coach
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Quote:
Originally Posted by Desnudo View Post
That thought depresses me. The though of A-Rod as part owner of the Yankees makes me happy.

you'll love him when he's on your team. always works like that.

you'd despise manny or ortiz if they were yankees.
__________________
"Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales
rkmsuf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 11:58 AM   #20
Desnudo
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Here and There
No, Manny and Ortiz are interesting characters. A-Rod is a little bitch who was lucky enough to be born into a superstars body. I just don't see how he can come to Boston after the handbag incident.
Desnudo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 12:04 PM   #21
Ksyrup
This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off.
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: In Absentia
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeVic View Post
Ehh, I don't know if ARod would get a stake in ownership with the Yankees?

Why not? The team is not 100% owned by Steinbrenner. There are small, fractional interests.
__________________
M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."
Ksyrup is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 12:04 PM   #22
rkmsuf
Head Coach
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Quote:
Originally Posted by Desnudo View Post
No, Manny and Ortiz are interesting characters. A-Rod is a little bitch who was lucky enough to be born into a superstars body. I just don't see how he can come to Boston after the handbag incident.

of course he can. it's been demonstrated over and over again how short the fans memories are when a guy is going yard for your team.

all they have to do is play well. if they suck it's another matter.
__________________
"Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales
rkmsuf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 12:08 PM   #23
Desnudo
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Here and There
Quote:
Originally Posted by rkmsuf View Post
of course he can. it's been demonstrated over and over again how short the fans memories are when a guy is going yard for your team.

all they have to do is play well. if they suck it's another matter.

At the heart of it, I think that him playing for them leads to them sucking, or at least not achieving their full potential. A-Rod is definitely a Ewing theory candidate.
Desnudo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 12:11 PM   #24
rkmsuf
Head Coach
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Quote:
Originally Posted by Desnudo View Post
At the heart of it, I think that him playing for them leads to them sucking, or at least not achieving their full potential. A-Rod is definitely a Ewing theory candidate.

that's an odd force at work there
__________________
"Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales
rkmsuf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 12:14 PM   #25
Desnudo
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Here and There
Quote:
Originally Posted by rkmsuf View Post
that's an odd force at work there

I don't think it's that odd. I believe he's a poor teammate and therefore makes his teammates less motivated to play well.
Desnudo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 12:16 PM   #26
rkmsuf
Head Coach
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Quote:
Originally Posted by Desnudo View Post
I don't think it's that odd. I believe he's a poor teammate and therefore makes his teammates less motivated to play well.

eh, ok. the league is full of assmunchers.

he's quite a force of nature then.
__________________
"Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales
rkmsuf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 12:24 PM   #27
Desnudo
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Here and There
Quote:
Originally Posted by rkmsuf View Post
eh, ok. the league is full of assmunchers.

he's quite a force of nature then.

You'll see. Mark my words, you'll see.
Desnudo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 12:25 PM   #28
Synovia
High School Varsity
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ksyrup View Post
I could see San Fran as a legit target, but I don't think either Chicago could seriously bid on him. First, the Cubs can't even get their shit together to sign Zambrano, and they just added $300M in contracts last year. The White Sox...who the hell wants to play there, and would they really spend that kind of money? Can't see it at all. Boston, I could see getting in on the bidding just to up the ante for the Yankees, but I don't know. That pairing just doesn't seem like it would work, especially after 2004 when pretty much everyone said they were glad the Texas deal never happened.

Boston fans would bitch and moan for like 3 weeks, and then they'd realize how much better he is than "The Julio Lugo Experience" and be happy.

Us redsox fans are a fickle bunch.
Synovia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 12:29 PM   #29
rkmsuf
Head Coach
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Quote:
Originally Posted by Desnudo View Post
You'll see. Mark my words, you'll see.


you can't be wrong unless the red sox win the world series. whose fault will it this year if they don't win it? how about last year? surely there is a force in the clubhouse dragging them down.
__________________
"Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales
rkmsuf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 01:03 PM   #30
Ksyrup
This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off.
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: In Absentia
Quote:
Originally Posted by Synovia View Post
Boston fans would bitch and moan for like 3 weeks, and then they'd realize how much better he is than "The Julio Lugo Experience" and be happy.

Us redsox fans are a fickle bunch.

ARod is too thick to play SS ever again. Or at least, to play it well, without spending some serious conditioning time in the off-season.
__________________
M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."
Ksyrup is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 01:21 PM   #31
Synovia
High School Varsity
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ksyrup View Post
ARod is too thick to play SS ever again. Or at least, to play it well, without spending some serious conditioning time in the off-season.

Hes not thicker than he was when he got to NYY.
Hes also probably still better than Jeter.
Synovia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 01:42 PM   #32
Izulde
Head Coach
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
I'd love to see A-Rod in a White Sox uni. Means we could get rid of Joe Fucking Crede.
__________________
2006 Golden Scribe Nominee
2006 Golden Scribe Winner
Best Non-Sport Dynasty: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty)

Rookie Writer of the Year
Dynasty of the Year: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty)
Izulde is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 02:01 PM   #33
Young Drachma
Dark Cloud
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Gotta start the convo at $30m or there isn't a point in chatting at all. And someone will pay it.
Young Drachma is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 02:04 PM   #34
Logan
Head Coach
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: NYC
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ksyrup View Post
ARod is too thick to play SS ever again. Or at least, to play it well, without spending some serious conditioning time in the off-season.

Respectfully, I think when this is bumped in a year or so you will have been wrong about every single thing you've said in this thread.
Logan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 02:19 PM   #35
Ksyrup
This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off.
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: In Absentia
I hope so, because then that will mean he's with another team.

I could see him giving the Yankees a big F You and not only leaving, but going to a team willing to let him reclaim SS. Not saying it can't happen, but I just don't see that transition back working very well at this point. And the more important point is that all of these hidden agendas of ARod's are secondary to Boras' money grab. ARod may very likely have to give in on playing somewhere more comfortable (West Coast) and his preferred position (SS) because with Boras as his agent, he goes where the top dollars are.

I really don't have a rooting interest here, except I hope he leaves NY because that makes them weaker by far. We should know fairly quickly whether he is going to resign with the Yankees, because if it doesn't happen before he opts out, I believe the Yankees will call his bluff and move on. He can't expect NY to give him the contract he wants after he opts out and costs them $30M of Tom Hicks' money.
__________________
M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

Last edited by Ksyrup : 07-24-2007 at 02:19 PM.
Ksyrup is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 02:23 PM   #36
rkmsuf
Head Coach
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
thinking about it off the top of my head...why would A-Rod even need Boras at this point? Or at least why would Boras have any influence on what A-Rod wants to do?

Seems to me if you go on the premise of A-Rod being a grown man that he could make the call and at the most rely on Boras to dot the i's and stuff.

Maybe A-Rod is a gigantic douche or just a total dumbass. I have no idea but to me, if I'm him, a pleasant place to play with a chance to win is worth playing for even 20 million a year, Boras be damned.

Is that way off base? Seems like logical thinking.
__________________
"Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales
rkmsuf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 02:43 PM   #37
stevew
Hall Of Famer
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: the yo'
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ksyrup View Post
I hope so, because then that will mean he's with another team.

I could see him giving the Yankees a big F You and not only leaving, but going to a team willing to let him reclaim SS. Not saying it can't happen, but I just don't see that transition back working very well at this point. And the more important point is that all of these hidden agendas of ARod's are secondary to Boras' money grab. ARod may very likely have to give in on playing somewhere more comfortable (West Coast) and his preferred position (SS) because with Boras as his agent, he goes where the top dollars are.

I really don't have a rooting interest here, except I hope he leaves NY because that makes them weaker by far. We should know fairly quickly whether he is going to resign with the Yankees, because if it doesn't happen before he opts out, I believe the Yankees will call his bluff and move on. He can't expect NY to give him the contract he wants after he opts out and costs them $30M of Tom Hicks' money.


So by him opting out, it ends up saving the Rangers owner a great deal of money? I guess I didn't realize how that cash payout when they acquired him actually worked.
stevew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 02:43 PM   #38
Ksyrup
This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off.
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: In Absentia
Logical, but when you hire Boras, it is all about the money. They give him total control to make the deal.

Everything I've read suggests that no teams are willing to go as high as Boras wants, and that he will find some creative way to make the total financial package as impressive as possible, and that includes discussion of ownership. Because if he can't get a yearly average of $30-35M, then he's just cut his legs out from underneath himself. And Boras will never do that. His value to guys like ARod is to secure the best deal above and beyond what any other agent could get. Look how openly pissy he was about his lack of leverage in the Dice-K negotiations.
__________________
M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."
Ksyrup is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 02:44 PM   #39
Ksyrup
This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off.
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: In Absentia
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevew View Post
So by him opting out, it ends up saving the Rangers owner a great deal of money? I guess I didn't realize how that cash payout when they acquired him actually worked.

Yes, right now the Yankees are actually paying ARod less than they are paying Jeter. Hicks owes around $29M for ARod's last 3 years of his current deal. If he plays out or extends that deal, Hicks still pays that money. If he opts out, Hicks is off the hook and even if ARod re-signs with NY, it's a new contract and the Yankees pay all of it.
__________________
M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

Last edited by Ksyrup : 07-24-2007 at 02:45 PM.
Ksyrup is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 02:52 PM   #40
Logan
Head Coach
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: NYC
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ksyrup View Post
Logical, but when you hire Boras, it is all about the money. They give him total control to make the deal.

Everything I've read suggests that no teams are willing to go as high as Boras wants, and that he will find some creative way to make the total financial package as impressive as possible, and that includes discussion of ownership. Because if he can't get a yearly average of $30-35M, then he's just cut his legs out from underneath himself. And Boras will never do that. His value to guys like ARod is to secure the best deal above and beyond what any other agent could get. Look how openly pissy he was about his lack of leverage in the Dice-K negotiations.

I remember hearing all the talk about ownership prior to his last deal. What ended up happening? Hicks bid against himself and the monster deal came to be. It'll probably go the same way this time, but with a different team taking the bait.
Logan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 02:57 PM   #41
stevew
Hall Of Famer
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: the yo'
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ksyrup View Post
Yes, right now the Yankees are actually paying ARod less than they are paying Jeter. Hicks owes around $29M for ARod's last 3 years of his current deal. If he plays out or extends that deal, Hicks still pays that money. If he opts out, Hicks is off the hook and even if ARod re-signs with NY, it's a new contract and the Yankees pay all of it.

Hmmm, in that case George better get something done.
stevew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 02:58 PM   #42
stevew
Hall Of Famer
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: the yo'
Ideally the conspiracy theorists would love to see the Yankees trade for Texiera at some sort of discount, and then magically see the yankees let Arod walk.
stevew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2007, 03:19 PM   #43
Ksyrup
This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off.
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: In Absentia
Quote:
Originally Posted by Logan View Post
I remember hearing all the talk about ownership prior to his last deal. What ended up happening? Hicks bid against himself and the monster deal came to be. It'll probably go the same way this time, but with a different team taking the bait.

Could be. I'd say after the Yankees, the Giants have to be next in line. After that, I'm not really sure any team would be in it other than to jack up the price for another team. Will the Cubs even have an owner by November? Maybe if they let Zambrano go they'll over-compensate by going hard after ARod.
__________________
M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."
Ksyrup is online now   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:01 PM.



Powered by vBulletin Version 3.6.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.