Couple thoughts on this after looking at it again: This deal really seems to make sense for both sides, assuming Crane is in “F it” mode and is willing to pay the tax on an addl ~$20M in payroll for 2019. Houston adds a superstar bat and a veteran pitcher to maximize their odds of winning in what might be their last time as WS favorites. They also add another QO draft pick (along with one they’ll get for Springer) to offset the draft pick penalties. The complicating factor is that it doesn’t leave a spot for Tucker. But Tucker can be eased in as the primary backup at all 3 OF spots and 1B. Straw would be the main one whose ABs are reduced; alternatively, it opens up the possibility of trading Diaz if there’s a team out there (Reds?) who needs an everyday caliber SS or super utility player. Boston reduces their payroll by $20M and adds 3 potential long term complementary pieces who are ready to contribute now. Urquidy may post a higher war than Price, so their rotation probably doesn’t get downgraded. Reddick is an obvious downgrade from Betts, but they now have some longer term financial flexibility to address their lineup as needed at the deadline or next offseason. Toro would compete to be their everyday 1B or 2B this season, with a bench role being his floor. Abreu is a potential elite reliever who is a likely immediate upgrade to their bullpen. All in all, I like this trade for both sides, but it’s really unlikely for several reasons. First, other teams are probably much further down the road in discussions, making it hard for Houston to get involved last minute. But beyond that, Click is unlikely to make this big of a splash this soon. Crane is unlikely to approve such a high payroll. Boston will likely be looking for 1 elite prospect rather than 2-3 2nd tier guys.
Betts +27 mil Price +32 mil I'm assuming you take the 20 mil off at an average of 5 mil per year for the last 4 years of Price's deal. So Betts 27 mil and Price 28 mil. Take off Reddick's 14 mil, Urquidy's estimated 583,500. Toro and Abreu have minor league contracts. 27+27-14-.6= an increase of 39.41 mil for this season.
Bringing in Hunter Pence and then moving Reddick? Would be kind of funny the first day Click is on the job he trades Reddick.
Not sure Reddick is a part of this thinking. 13 guys on offense: C Maldonado, Garneau 1B Gurriel 2B Altuve 3B Bregman SS Correa LF Brantley CF Springer RF Pence DH Alvarez IF Diaz OF Tucker OF Reddick Straw and Toro are kept down as injury replacements.
In the A.L., the NYY have the most to gripe about. That first game in 2020 in Yankee Stadium is going to be a nail biter for me. Maybe every game there. If we meet the Dodgers in the W.S., that might could get serious also. But more than teams, its individual players that will want to lash out, probably with their managers veiled support.
I assumed the $20M would be applied to Betts salary for 2020. That’s the difference between your math and mine.
Can somebody make a thread with just player movement and not cheating talk, I have no idea who we are looking at or who we have signed. Everything gets buried in this thread. Have we signed anybody new?
I don't believe we have the option to take the 20 mil off of this year. It's AAV, right? I believe it would just come off the total owed.
Pretty sure teams can negotiate how money included in trades is applied, as long as it’s within the players’ contract structure. So assuming the Red Sox agreed, they could apply the $20M just to 2020.
It was 2 years 7 million. Only other move they made was they traded for Austin Pruitt. He pitched for TB. Might be a local guy as well. Numbers don't look great but apparently has good spin rate so hopefully Strom can work his magic. Now not sure how Click and Baker view him but when Luhnow acquired him, he said he would have a shot at winning the 5th starter spot. Other then what the poster said above(Pence) , not much news in the media. Nook said he's heard they were interested in Archer and or Taillon(mostly Taillon but it looks like he's out for the season). Also this was before Click hiring.
