Hot Stove Thread 2014-15

Scherzer's deal has a "present day value" of $191.4 million. Apparently it was structured that way, at least in part, to avoid Washington, D.C. taxes as he plans to live in Florida after his career.

Details of Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer's contract - Washington Times

 

Also I presume that, although he is just a newlywed, he wants to shield some of the income from the future ex-wife. It's the only smart play for an athlete.

 

Won't work that way ... She gets half (or whatever she negotiates) of whatever he earns while they're married. That some compensation is deferred would be irrelevant.

BTW ... did anyone see where some of Darryl Strawberry's deferred compensation was auction off by the IRS the other day?

Money owed to Darryl Strawberry from New York Mets won at auction - ESPN New York

 

Darryl Strawberry, the anti-Bonilla.

Re Scherzer ... OK now I'll just say that living in Florida it will be easier to dump the body.

 

A-Roid's reentry shaping up to be the baseball tab story of spring training. It's going to
be a circus.
Yankees reject A-Rod's mea culpa meeting request - NY Daily News

 

I have a feeling no matter how much pitching they have, unless Harper hits like he's supposed to hit (600 PA or better, .850 OPS or better), they are going to fall short of their goals.

 

If that team falls short of its goals, it's not going to be because one player -- any one player -- didn't live up to expectations.

 

Ryan Zimmerman needs to have a sonar like focus this year.

 

Yankees trying to get out of A-Rod's potential $30M in milestone bonuses. (He gets the first $6M with his sixth home run of the season.)

New York Yankees devising legal arguments so Alex Rodriguez won't be able to collect bonuses - ESPN New York

I guess they're skipping the tried-and-truly-ineffective threat of "We'll cut you if you don't take a buyout!" Good luck with that breach of contract there, Steinshitheads.

 

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...ielder-Snider-to-Orioles/stories/201501270214

Travis Snider was a big reason the Pirates finished the 2014 season strong enough to make the playoffs, playing regularly after top prospect Gregory Polanco faltered. His $2.1 million salary in 2015 seemed reasonable for a fourth outfielder, especially with the still unproven Polanco expected to open the season as a starter. But the Pirates traded him to the Orioles for a minor-league pitcher, not a top prospect, and a player to be named later. I'm not sure I understand this one. It doesn't even save them much money and it isn't as if they have other great options as reserve outfielders. Jose Tabata stinks. Andrew Lambo hit in the minors, but certainly wasn't a guy they had they need to get in the lineup.

A thin bench hurt the Pirates last season. They fancy themselves a contender, so why give away a solid reserve bat?

 

That one seemed strange to me too.