They’ve made it pretty clear they don’t want to go over the CBT threshold. If Pressly doesn’t agree to a trade, how is that going to happen if they bring Bregman back?
No. It's more like Bregman realizing Maldy and Keuchel got screwed by Boras and didn't want the same before it was too late.
They've also seem to make it clear that the offer is not off the table and if he would accept it then he's an Astro.
They could also trade Caratini and Dubon, or attach a prospect or two with Rafael Montero to a rebuilding team like the White Sox, Marlins or Rockies.
You’re correct if no money is deferred. However, if Bregman is open to some of his money being deferred and Crane is fine with it, the Astros can structure the deal in a way that lowers the CBT value below 26M.
Why would Bregman want to take deferred money? At that point, it's not a $26M AAV contract value wise to him.
No, they wouldn’t. Montero makes 11.5 million this year. If they can convince a rebuilding team to take him with a prospect attached, they could move two of the three and exceed Pressly’s 14 million. Regardless, the Astros front office and Crane will find a way to make the numbers work for this year if Bregman wants the Astros’ offer, and Pressly rejects the trade to the Cubs.
They can add a player option that drops the AAV but it's still likely to be $23M+ 6/$150M + player option $12M w/ $6M buy out. Astros get AAV to $23.14M Bregman gets his 6/ $156M offered. Bregman is very unlikely to take the $6M it would be to accept the option. If he does, the impact to the team is minimal.
The Marlins need to add $21M or else forfeit $70M in revenue sharing money. They may need to attach multiple prospects in exchange for basically nothing, but they can get rid of Montero's contract if Crane orders Brown to keep the payroll under $241.
My point was you can’t manipulate it specifically for 2025. But yeah this would lower the impact every year. Regarding the deferred money suggestion, he would probably take deferred money if the Astros would be willing to shell out a large signing bonus. This also would reduce the AAV. Not sure the Astros would be willing to do that though.
