Giants sign SPs Alex Wood ($20M+/2yr) and Anthony DeSclafani ($36M/3yr) both for very close to predicted amounts. Looks like they are also about to sign Alex Cobb, so that is 3 3rd tier SP off the market.
Cobb I would have liked at the right price, but health seems to be a concern. Moot point since I think he does get a deal finished with SF. Wood I used to like, and wanted him before, but it takes two to tango and I don't think he'd want to sign here. I remember this article from two years ago, and this does not sound like a player eager to join the Astros. https://bleacherreport.com/articles...-heard-rumors-of-astros-sign-stealing-in-2017 DeSclafani I think would have been Odorizzi 2.0. Nothing about Disco's peripherals screams "special." Seems like he's just an average pitcher who had a great season, in part because of luck.
I think he's a left-handed DeSclafani. Their pitching styles aren't that similar but their histories, career trajectories, etc. kinda are. Both are coming off a good 2021 but were shaky (at best) prior. He is a lefty so I think he'll get a little more. $40M/3yr is my prediction. Not sure who but I don't think the Astros will seriously pursue him.
Trout got something huge… but only after he fully proved himself to be a HOFer in waiting. He’s potentially betting against himself if he becomes a superstar… but not by much. Also underscores the fact that none of these teams (even the Rays/A’s) are likely losing money. Franchise values are going up every year. The MLB internet/streaming money is deceptively large. Yes, local TV deals are still the true difference maker between stupid rich and poor franchises, but years of skimping on payroll (while still turning a profit) can allow even a “poor” team to afford a deal such as this. Ironically most Rays fans readily expect him to be traded within 5 years regardless of this deal…
Curious if and when there are opt outs. 223M guaranteed is no joke, but at 18m AAV…I would expect an opt out somewhere in there.
If he lives up to his billing, he will be a massive trade chip because that is an incredibly reasonable contract for a superstar.
Yep. And they guaranteed a much bigger return on prospects vs if he was an impending free agent. Or…. They could just keep him. I wonder if the potential initiation of a salary floor weighed into their decision making? If they’re going to need to have a $100 million payroll anyways, might as well spend it on current/rising stars vs. past-prime players…. And then you have that extra option to trade them for max value when the time comes.
It's an interesting deal for sure. By comparison, Correa made $22MM over his first 7 years. Obviously there were a lot of injuries in there, but if you pretend Franco would have made the same, it's the equivalent of a an extension of $201MM over 6 years - or $33.5MM/yr. Of course, that also assumes nothing changes in this new CBA and there's a lot of uncertainty on what will happen with the player-control and arbitration processes. Amazing for Franco to not have to worry about the CBA uncertainty, injury/performance uncertainty, and also get a market-value type extension 6 years before free agency.
The only major downside for Franco is that he won’t have the ability to leave the Rays without being traded… and at that point, he won’t have much say on where he ends up.
