MLB 2018-19 Offseason Thread

What is he going to get?

 

Jim Bowden's estimate in the Athletic was that Harper would get $320 million. I don't think that's enough difference to solely determine Harper's decision. More likely it was 1. the opt-out discussed earlier in the thread and 2. A desire to leave the Nationals.

 

I think he gets 360 over 9. Opt after 5.

 

We'll see, but the Nats have an easy explanation. They valued him at 30 mill per.

The explanation I would like is why they would not offer an opt out.

 

Fair point.

 

Bryant on the move?

 

Bryant's got three years of arbitration left and is projected to make $12 million next year. Figure that goes to $15 million in 2020 and $20 million in 2021.

If the Dodgers are committed to stay under the luxury tax, there are only a few teams that could afford Bryant.

 

Yea, and the Cubs are one of them.

 

So are the Pirates.

 

We do this every offseason.

Bored reporter: Hey, has team X tried to trade team Y?

Sources: Well, they said they were willing to talk about anybody.

BR: Wow! Hey, Team X GM, are you trying to trade Superstar Player?

Team X GM: Nobody is untouchable, we will always consider any move that improves our team, but I'd be surprised if we got an offer that fit considering how much we value him.

Headline: TEAM X CONSIDERING TRADING SUPERSTAR PLAYER

 

I remember an anecdote in "Boys of Summer" where Roger Kahn talks about a spring training game between the Dodgers and Cardinals getting rained out, so everyone was scrambling for a story. One of the New York writers concocted a rumor that the Cardinals were going to trade Stan Musial to the Dodgers and asked the St. Louis GM about it, and he of course denied it.

So naturally, everyone had a headline the next day reading "Cardinals deny Musial trade rumors"