Kimbrel has an AAV of 14.3 so he is owed a little less than 5 million the rest of the year. Astros could probably swing a deal to get the Cubs to eat a few million and maybe take Raley to stay under the tax. I don't see the Bryant deal happening. If they make another move awesome...but they have addressed the biggest issue on the team already. At this point I want all these guys to be traded (Bryant, Story, Baez, and anyone else that would have received a qualifying offer). Opens up more options for the Astros in the offseason.
If Kris Bryant Could Play One Position Moving Forward It Would Be … Center Field? July 13, 2021, by Michael Cerami Chicago Cubs https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs...tion-moving-forward-it-would-be-center-field/
In terms of surplus value based on $10M/war it is a massive overpay. Bryant has about $10M in surplus value and Kimbrel has almost none. So really even just Hunter Brown by himself would be fair value. But the market is showing that 4 prospect package is probably what it would take.
If I'm click I would throw the hat into the ring and test waters on a Kimbrel/Bryant trade. Would make our bullpen sick and I think Bryant could play a solid Center...not Springeresque but solid. If a trade isn't there, tip your hat and move one. We have addressed our needs in the bullpen and our lineup is very good. Straw isn't a liability (automatic out) and is having a solid season.
This is why I give no flying effs about what the Astros did in '17, and why I'm extra happy they mowed through BOS, NYY, and LAD on their way to do it. The big market teams have an undeniable advantage, even in trade season. LAD outbid on Scherzer and Turner because they didn't have to ask the Nats to eat salary, they just took it on. Just like they did when they traded for Mookie, then re-signed Mookie to that big ass contract. On top of that, with players having 10-5 rights, they tend to veto trades to the smaller market teams and opt to play for the big dogs. God forbid a smaller market team employs tactics (that the big dogs also use) to increase their chances to win against teams with a higher payroll, plus league protection for when they violate those same rules - then players from those same teams have the guts to complain about fairness. GTFO. We've watched our Cy Young and World Series MVP leave in FA from our championship year, while the other contenders keep their guys and take the best players from other teams on top of that. I hope we win the damn title this year. I want it bad.
Dodgers payroll is 290 million after the trades. DODGERS PAYROLL TOTALS Active Payroll:$152,301,383 Injured Reserve:$65,976,591 Retained:$26,485,251 Suspended/Restricted Salaries:$31,333,333 Buried Minor Salaries:$14,530,910 Total Payroll:$290,627,468 DODGERS LUXURY TAX PAYROLL 2021 Tax Threshold$210,000,000 40-Man Tax Payroll:$258,624,816 Est. Benefits:$15,500,000 Est. Minor Salaries:$2,500,000 Total Tax Allocations$276,624,816 Est. Tax Space$-66,624,816 Est. Tax Bill$34,368,612
This is also why Crane isn’t bowing down to these juggernauts. We are one. They want to add salary? Sure, Crane might match that move just to prove a point (adding Bryant and Kimbrel). This is why we should appreciate having an owner like Crane.
The trades have been underwhelming in terms of prospect cost so far it seems. We don’t *need* a massive rehauling of our roster, but hopefully Click can find ways to improve it.
Don't forget they also signed the reigning Cy Young winner. Altough to be fair, he's in legal problems
