So he's not gonna get $26 million AAV is he? So if he could go back in time knowing what he knows now, does he agree to our offer? I would think so.
That and, you don't get the nickname POPs unless you've been around the league awhile and really good at what you do.
Imagine owning a photography business and you're looking at upgrading to a new camera that would create sharper pictures but would also cost $5000. You do the math and realize that you'd only gain about $50 a month more in profit with the sharper pictures thus take you 100 months (or over 8 years to regain that money back). The camera is only expected to last maybe 3 to 4 years before it's outdated again anyhow. The quandary lies between what service you can provide versus profit back. Sure you may pick up some extra clients with the new images but it's not a guarantee, and what if your style of photography doesn't necessarily need the sharper image but it just makes you feel more connected as a photographer knowing you are providing the best service you can? An owner of a ballclub may dig into their pockets for a year or two to help create a winning atmosphere, but not 6 to 7 years on a maybe, especially if they feel people won't pay more to see them play.
Santander only got $92M. Substantially less than the Astros offered Bregman. I would say teams value Bregman a lot more than a Santander, but he's looking for twice as much money. Also, teams shift in philosophy if based on better knowledge of situations, not worse. Game situation still matters, and players do struggle with that, but for most of the game, they realized there is more value in looking for crooked numbers rather than a single run. Pitchers throw so hard and so much spin, that it is harder than ever to simply make contact. And if that contact isn't quality contact, it often isn't enough to advance runners via due to fly balls not being deep enough or grounders hit hard enough against drawn-in infields. The individualism aspect I'm sure is true. Those numbers though are more important to players, owners, and perhaps fans, then they are are to the front office execs. Good front offices are using more data than we as fans can comprehend. The best public stat to encapsulate what teams are doing is WAR, but there is zero doubt those front offices have their own version based on things they rely on more, and then they use other advanced stats, combined with scouts and coaches to identify players that they can possibly unlock their potential.
Interesting analogy. I would supplement it by saying that it’s possible that buying the new camera would increase your chances of winning a Hasselblad Award. And that it’s possible that the whole reason you started the business was to make money doing something youre passionate about, and winning the most prestigious award in the field would not just increase notoriety/profits for decades into the future, but bring a level of internal satisfaction that a few years of lost profits can never compare to.
One thing that many aren't taking into consideration is that Bregman has been the vocal leader of the team since Correa left. He speaks fluent Spanish and the majority of the team is from Latin America. He's tight not just with the position players but the pitching staff as well. I've seen numerous players commend him on what he means to the clubhouse. Taking young players under his wing, keeping the team at ease, a guy you can go to for advice (even pitchers), and a guy who's been a huge part of building the culture of the team. These guys aren't easy to find nor are they easy to replace. Astros did the wise thing not waiting around for him to make a decision. It will be a shame if they aren't able to find a way to get a deal done.
Bregman isn’t going to be hurting for money. But he did get dealt a taste of humble pie. I would suppose he still gets a contract in the neighborhood of what the Astros offered him. But rumor was he turned down the Astros because he wanted 200 million 7 years. He gambled and it likely isn’t going as smooth as he would have hoped. But he hasn’t signed anything yet and he could still find what he was looking to secure. But it seems the cash well is drying up, as teams that wanted to spend money already did. Signing a 3 year deal with a one year player opt out, as a prove it deal might be a viable option.
I think these reasons are why Bregman would actually be a great fit for a team transitioning out of a rebuild. It’s why Detroit makes sense but I’m also surprised the Nats haven’t been involved.
Bregman usually plays better with a chip on his shoulder, this experience might piss him off and he’ll have a great year.
He is actually better than a mediocre hitter for this era - his OPS+ last year was 118 and is 132 for his career, However I agree with your wider point, he isn't a star with his bat at this point and all the knowledge and leadership won't help when your pitchers are throwing AAAA level slop or your SS cannot avoid throwing the ball over the first baseman's head. He is basically the modern day Graig Nettles or Ron Cey ...... everyone wants you on their club, but no one wants to pay you Pedro Guerrero, Reggie Jackson or Juan Soto money........ Breggy thought he was getting 30 million a year and the market is telling him he can get 25 million a year.
100 (to me) is you better be really damn good at SS or 3B or CF....1teen is my definition of mediocre (not bad, not great) 2019 Bregman ain't walking though that door.
Yeah that's not anybody's definition of a mediocre hitter other than you apparently. He's a "decent" hitter. That's what he is. If you want to declare he's a mediocre "player" because you think his defense is subpar, then that mediocre adjective could be discussed.
