Bregman wants to be here. He just wants 200 million more. He's not getting 200, so now he has to decide if 20 million extra is worth living and playing in Detroit.
I don't understand the issue. Houston- 6 year offer at let's say $165 mil (after taxes that's like 1 billion dollars) Detroit- 6 year offer at let's say $180 mil (after taxes that's around $15) The answer is in the numbers.
As much as it is frustrating, Bregman’s free agency has been fascinating. I am extremely surprised he’s letting this play out as late as he has. If he’s not going to wait into spring training (or even into the season) to see if an injury expands his list of suitors, he’s well past the timeline where his market wouldve peaked, since so many teams have already spent their money. I’m also really surprised to keep reading that 4+ teams have kept open $150M+ this late into the offseason.
Maybe he thinks he already signed and Boras is the one holding out. That awkward moment when Bregs reports to Astros training camp in two weeks.
Its a middle class problem that middle class teams have figured out how to navigate. Right now, there's about a 70% chance of a total work stoppage after this CBA goes. And this time, MLB and the players union have ample evidence that baseball contracts have stifled while other leagues have seen exponential growth. Bregman signing a deal in 2018 that paid him 28.5 million for 2 bought out FA years, and he can't get that now, is just one example of the middle class problem. (also, its clear that the BBS and fan bases are more frustrated by the Bregman issue than either Bregman or the Astros.... he's staying in shape regardless. Not like he needs to learn a team's playbook or something).
I know exactly how Bregs feels as I'm going through the same thing. I'm selling an air condition on OfferUp. A few years ago it was worth $230 but I know I can't get that anymore so I'm good with $110. I received an offer for $80 right off the bat but decided to wait and now the only offers I get are for $50 by 2 other people. Good thing is, it's still cold outside so I'm willing to wait it out until Spring. I know its worth and refuse to settle (even if I have to coach little league somewhere, I mean give it away later on).
I do wonder how much the looming CBA expiration is factoring into the Astros (and potentially other teams) decisions on whether to give out long term deals. A salary cap could potentially be bad for teams that have high payrolls (although it could also go the other way if the new CBA exempts deals that were signed under the old CBA).
It would definitely have to have a tapering off period, but contracts signed for 8-13 years would be interesting.
There will probably be some sort of negotiated "grandfather" clause for all existing contract.... if a cap even gets approved without having to suffer through a 1 year+ long lockout. The hope is that all of baseball (players, owners, league office, tv networks, streaming platforms) have enough self awareness to see that other leagues are having higher revenues, higher contracts, higher franchise values. Baseball meanwhile will point to attendance increases as a marker of "health"... and while that is true, that may be the only aspect of the game that is truly healthy (and that's only because of the pitch clock/shorter game times mostly).
Did Bregman need any kind of surgery to fix the "gremlins" in his elbow? If so did he have it done already?
I wonder if instead of a cap/floor, they just have more significant penalties on the very top and bottom teams. Like, the 3 teams with the largest payrolls lose their 1st and 2nd round picks, and the teams with the 3 lowest payrolls lose 50% of their international signing pool. It’s gonna be interesting to see how it plays out. I’m hoping they don’t lose a season. I think that would be utterly devastating.
why do I feel like the way he is treating free agency matches what he does at the plate? patience is a virtue. but $%#@ I wish he would just hit the ball already.
They need to actually fix something this time. Nothing got fixed with the last work stoppage and despite better attendance, contract values are holding relatively pat (minus Soto and Ohtani) and some teams are going on more than almost a decade without raising payroll.
