If you’re going to pay top dollar, and seeing how contract values are going up almost exponentially every 2-3 years, it actually does make sense to lock in a longer contract at a fixed rate (for the team) vs. paying short term and then possibly having to guarantee a huge raise if you want to consider re-upping. For free agents, I would have expected more opt-outs after 2-3 years in order to optimize earning potential in a setting of ever-increasing AAV’s. I guess teams are treating opt outs like the new no-trade clause deal breakers.
I don't necessarily agree. If Leon proves to be more capable, we have Tucker's replacement in place for two years. I am assuming Tucker is following the path of Correa as has been reported. But I do like your pitcher extension priority.
I wonder if there’s any chance we get both Contreras and Nimmo. What a disgustingly good lineup. Nimmo Altuve Yordan Bregman Tucker Abreu Peña Contreras McCormick
Maldy's strengths are not measured on the field and do not require playing at all. COACH MALDY is the solution 2024 and BACKUP C is a solution for 2023 since coaches are not generally paid like players, even backups.
Honestly, if we roll with this, i would be thrilled... 2B Altuve (R) CF Nimmo (L) 3B Bregman (R) DH Alvarez (L) 1B Abreu (R) RF Tucker (L) SS Pena (R) LF Brantley/McCormick (L/R) C Maldonado (R) That assumes Brantley looks healthy. I would still like to add a veteran starter for 5-10 million. Maybe an older ring chaser... David Price could work as a lefty pen guy and 7th starter behind Brown... maybe a Wade Miley... My backup plan would be: 2B Altuve SS Pena 3B Bregman LF Alvarez 1B Abreu RF Tucker C Contreras DH Brantley / Yuli CF Mccormick / Leon Possibly Brandon Belt... have a feeling Giants keep him now without signing Judge...
I love Tucker, but is there a point where we think about trading him if he's going to pursue a $30M+ AAV long term contract in free agency? We could get an absolute HAUL for him. We might wait a little while until Gilbert is closer to making the MLB team.
That's my dream off season, but I'm hoping for at least one more. (Abreu was #1) Contreras #2 and Nimmo #3. #4 is a DUBON free bench because he will get too much playing time with Dusty.
Oh! Yankees Central on the Lake. In my youth, the cubbies were lovable losers. Now they are just LOSERS. I'm glad we rescued Abreu. What a shrewd move by the cubbies. Trading 4.2 WAR for 1.2 WAR at virtually the same price.
The optimal Trade time would be after 2024 with a year remaining and after Altuve and Bregman complete their contracts.
I wonder if the Stros are low balling him, or he wants to play back in Florida. He has his ring, I guess the rest is just padding the nest egg. I know this should go in another thread.
I'm sure extensions offered last year will fall short of extensions offered this year after another good season and the crazy off season salaries now that he's actually entering arbitration years. Mixing three arbitration level salaries with 3 FA level salaries keeps the AAV lower in the out years. It works if you want a perennial contender and he player is one of your CORE players. Now whether that is low balling or realistic depends on your point of view.
