Yeah, I’m just saying the amounts wouldn’t be exactly the same for comparison purposes like the he’s trying to do in those calculations. Another work around is through signing bonuses. They are taxed based on where you live instead of where the games are played. Had Bregman signed a contract to play for the Mets in December that included a massive signing bonus, he would have avoided state income taxes on that amount. This is why Snell got a $50M signing bonus.
You can almost half that difference due to players paying state tax when they play within other states. Florida and Seattle are the other two states without income tax (which make up perhaps 16-20 extra games). so 81 road games minus 35 is 46 road games still taxed regardless of where the player lives. Assuming the Dodgers play around 18 games vs no state income tax teams. That decreases the difference to around $7 mil vs $10 mil.
None of it matters. I have never heard a player or agent even mention taxes or cost of living when deciding what team's offer to accept. Players and agents simply don't care.
Reddick mentioned it in an interview when he was asked about signing with the Astros. He also said he wanted the 4th year to get him his 10 years of service time.
The baseball aging decline curve... it's real folks. Hitting a baseball at the MLB level is perhaps the hardest thing to do in sports... even small declines in physical capabilities can destroy a player's results. And the injury odds also jump up with age...
I hate to say it, but mlb players over 30 should be treated as running backs in the NFL when it comes to contracts. A few years at a time.
To be fair, agents have no reason to care. Their income is based on where they are, not where the player is. Players care, but it isn't a huge priority for many of them. Living in places like NY & LA have their own levels of prestige and opportunities that matter more when somebody is already making a ridiculous sum of money. It should be rare. I would never want to sign a player to a multi-year deal taking them beyond their age 35 season. Personally I'm worried about Altuve. He's at a cliff age, and 5 seasons remaining. I'm still happy to have him though. Really hoping he makes it to 3K, which used to feel like a given with him.
Ideally, an organization 1) always have a player ready in the minors at each position. Obviously easier said than done, but it was working and this organization was very good at it for a while. The willingness of them to move players around and promote/identify versatility helps. 2) identify extension candidates early and be aggressive and generously fair in offers to have more good players during their 28-32 seasons without needing to commit to ages 33+ 3) Trade away players with ++ trade value if they get expensive in arbitration and have resisted extension offers.
One of the things to point out for those who are saying "With Walker and Paredes on this team there is no place for Bregman to play" While Paredes isn't terrible at 3b, he isn't exactly great there either. He is basically on the lower end of average. He had -2 defensive runs saved and -1 outs above average last year. Not numbers to prioritize moving him, but also not a situation where moving him should not be considered. Especially if he's a versatile guy and a far superior glove is available at 3b. Imagine the infield w/ Walker, Bregman, and Pena? Now add Dubon at 2b when Altuve needs a day off? Framber and Briwn are both ground ball heavy guys and would love to see THAT behind them.
