Arenado isn't a bad value at 3-42 mil, unless you think he's washed. Give me Walker at 3-63 mil and Winker at 2-25 and let's roll.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6008454/2024/12/19/blue-jays-vladimir-guerrero-bo-bichette-yankees/ Picture the Toronto Blue Jays keeping first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. long-term. Trading shortstop Bo Bichette. Signing free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman. None of those outcomes is particularly likely. All, however, are in play, according to sources briefed on the Jays’ discussions. The Jays are in talks with Guerrero about a long-term extension that would buy him out of his final year of arbitration and free agency. They are fielding interest in Bichette, who also is entering his walk year. And they are at least on the periphery of the Bregman sweepstakes, though other free agents, for now, appear better fits. … The Yankees appear increasingly likely to go with a more inexpensive option at first base than Alonso or Walker, according to sources briefed on their pursuits. … The Athletics are in agreement with free-agent third baseman Gio Urshela, pending a physical, according to sources briefed on the discussions.
This isn't the way to have long term success. I would say it's not the way to run a successful business, but I'm probably wrong because I'm not as sentimental as most.
I think we need a remedial math 101 lesson. Who would be against saving $25.8MM today because they have to pay $25.8MM later when the time value of money is lower? What exactly do you see as the disadvantage here of an extra free year? If Crane is opposed to that, he's one of the worst businessmen in the history of the world.
Crane values long-term flexibility. How many times have we heard that he does not want long term commitments to hinder the operation? Not having $25.7M on the books in 2031 has value. Do you dispute this? If you do not dispute this, then it's just a matter of deciding if that value is more or less than the $4.3M extra he will be paying 2025-2030. And FYI, Just because the total guarantee is the same on a year longer contract does not mean that last year is free. The total guarantee is divided by the number of years. So that 7th year will be $25.7M just like the 1st 6 were.
Paredes would be fine in LF. He hasn’t gotten run out there because he has more value in the infield. There IS a world where the Astros could have Bregman and Arenado and Paredes. All three have said they are willing to change positions if asked to. The only way Arenado would be possible with a resigned Bregman would be if the Astros were successful moving Pressly and likely Caratini. I personally would love having Bregman, Paredes and Arenado… that is serious positional versatility and moving Bregman to second - Arenado to 3rd, Paredes to 1st - Alvarez to LF and Altuve to DH in the playoffs would be pretty nasty… the infield defense would be extremely strong.
Bichette is someone that was linked to the Astros and Cubs at different points. If Bregman were to sign with Toronto (possible), then Bichette would be a very realistic option for the Astros.
Only reason Pettitte was an Astro was because his very religious wife caught him glazing the donut of a young Yankee employee and she made a big deal of it to his very religious family and to keep his nuclear family intact he got the hell out of NY for awhile… Andy’s wife was not like Clemens’ she didn’t just accept that big leaguers worth tens of millions of dollars caroused and had their finger in the pudding most nights.
