***Official - 2025 Major League Baseball Thread (4 Viewers)

[ChiefD]

I don't think there is any way that it looks like a good deal in year 13, but I understand why it was given.

Yeah, I don't think anybody thinks so. These are just deferred contracts. And $27 million is going to be worth a lot less in 13 years due to inflation than it is today.

There was a great article in The Athletic today about this. It looks like the big market clubs have figured out that the longer term deal is actually better for them in terms of skirting the luxury tax rules. So say Correa wants $360 million. The Giants spread that out over 13 years so his yearly average is only $27 million over that whole time span instead of a 10 year term where it's $36 Million.

Helps keep them below luxury tax potentially. Now, the down side of course is that 13 years from now they have a guy counting $27 million against their payroll. But they are really getting a $36 million dollar a year player now and when he's in his prime.

 

[jobarules]

Baseball contracts are terrible..gives these small market teams no chance in hell.

San Diego seems to do fine

 

[DJackson10]

Absolutely hate the Astros. Cheaters. But was cheering for Mattress Mack. $75M. Pay the man his money. Would love to be in that Sportsbook line

The dude is an awful human being. Talked to my former coworkers son who works for the Texans and a lot of locals hate the guy. He's a terrible boss and he's absolute garbage to his wife. Houston gives this good image of him because he's kind of a big deal mattress seller and does a **** ton of community work and big time 'Stros fan. There's people in HOUSTON who would love to speak out on him from other business and all but fear of repercussions for going against him. Was. kind of surprising but also kind of not at the same time. Someone posted an article how his wife ended up in the hospital do to the stress he caused her from betting that much on the game and how he was more concerned with the Astros then her health. She had a stroke btw

 

[DJackson10]

Baseball contracts are terrible..gives these small market teams no chance in hell.

maybe smaller clubs like MIA and such shouldn't be money pinchers. Also better scouting does wonders and good minimum signings work. Look how Tampa got to the WS that one year. Still lost but they made it on a payroll way less then NYY or BOS

 

[BeTheMatch]

I don't think there is any way that it looks like a good deal in year 13, but I understand why it was given.

Yeah, I don't think anybody thinks so. These are just deferred contracts. And $27 million is going to be worth a lot less in 13 years due to inflation than it is today.

They're basically trying to avoid the luxury tax by spreading out these deals over so many years. We'll see if MLB decides to crack down on that at some point in the future.

 

[Timmay]

Baseball contracts are terrible..gives these small market teams no chance in hell.

San Diego seems to do fine

Are you really a small market team with a $200+ million payroll.

Reds, Guardians, Pirates, Rays, Orioles, Brewers, Marlins, Nats to name a few have no chance to compete unless they have home grown talent who will sooner or later leave for more lucrative contracts with the Cubs, Yankees, Giants, Dodgers, Red Sox, Phillies types.

 

[ChiefD]

I don't think there is any way that it looks like a good deal in year 13, but I understand why it was given.

Yeah, I don't think anybody thinks so. These are just deferred contracts. And $27 million is going to be worth a lot less in 13 years due to inflation than it is today.

They're basically trying to avoid the luxury tax by spreading out these deals over so many years. We'll see if MLB decides to crack down on that at some point in the future.

Yeah, I heard that also.

 

[bigbottom]

Absolutely hate the Astros. Cheaters. But was cheering for Mattress Mack. $75M. Pay the man his money. Would love to be in that Sportsbook line

The dude is an awful human being. Talked to my former coworkers son who works for the Texans and a lot of locals hate the guy. He's a terrible boss and he's absolute garbage to his wife. Houston gives this good image of him because he's kind of a big deal mattress seller and does a **** ton of community work and big time 'Stros fan. There's people in HOUSTON who would love to speak out on him from other business and all but fear of repercussions for going against him. Was. kind of surprising but also kind of not at the same time. Someone posted an article how his wife ended up in the hospital do to the stress he caused her from betting that much on the game and how he was more concerned with the Astros then her health. She had a stroke btw

I live in Houston. I've met Mattress Mac. I know people who know him well. I have never heard anything remotely indicating that he is an awful human being. To the contrary, he is broadly beloved in the City of Houston. And he has done a ton of good for Houstonians in need. So I'm really shuked by what you're hearing from your former co-worker's son who works for the Texans.

 

[jobarules]

Baseball contracts are terrible..gives these small market teams no chance in hell.

San Diego seems to do fine

Are you really a small market team with a $200+ million payroll.

Reds, Guardians, Pirates, Rays, Orioles, Brewers, Marlins, Nats to name a few have no chance to compete unless they have home grown talent who will sooner or later leave for more lucrative contracts with the Cubs, Yankees, Giants, Dodgers, Red Sox, Phillies types.

I dont think payroll should define small market vs big market. Do you really think San Diego is a big market and Baltimore/Washington are small markets? Nationals had always had big payrolls until recentily.

 

[Timmay]

Baseball contracts are terrible..gives these small market teams no chance in hell.

San Diego seems to do fine

Are you really a small market team with a $200+ million payroll.

Reds, Guardians, Pirates, Rays, Orioles, Brewers, Marlins, Nats to name a few have no chance to compete unless they have home grown talent who will sooner or later leave for more lucrative contracts with the Cubs, Yankees, Giants, Dodgers, Red Sox, Phillies types.

I dont think payroll should define small market vs big market. Do you really think San Diego is a big market and Baltimore/Washington are small markets? Nationals had always had big payrolls until recentily.

I would say payrolls normally go parallel with how big of a market you are in. Are there exceptions sure, are there some outliers certain years sure. The Padres for a long time been a smaller market team for as long as I can remember with a smaller than most payroll, they have just now of late started spending a lot. Nationals are the opposite (didn't spend, to spent a little when Harper was there, to now nothing again) and have not been able to retain any high profile players let a lone draw any one in there.

 

[Ron Swanson]

Absolutely hate the Astros. Cheaters. But was cheering for Mattress Mack. $75M. Pay the man his money. Would love to be in that Sportsbook line

The dude is an awful human being. Talked to my former coworkers son who works for the Texans and a lot of locals hate the guy. He's a terrible boss and he's absolute garbage to his wife. Houston gives this good image of him because he's kind of a big deal mattress seller and does a **** ton of community work and big time 'Stros fan. There's people in HOUSTON who would love to speak out on him from other business and all but fear of repercussions for going against him. Was. kind of surprising but also kind of not at the same time. Someone posted an article how his wife ended up in the hospital do to the stress he caused her from betting that much on the game and how he was more concerned with the Astros then her health. She had a stroke btw

I've had the pleasure of working on projects in Houston with Jim and we are acquaintances of his ex daughter in law. Based on what I personally know and as a Houston native, nothing could be further from the truth. Jim is a great hardworking, caring, charitable guy and loved by most everyone in the City. I also worked with his wife Linda on a separate project and will leave it at that.

 

[jobarules]

Baseball contracts are terrible..gives these small market teams no chance in hell.

San Diego seems to do fine

Are you really a small market team with a $200+ million payroll.

Reds, Guardians, Pirates, Rays, Orioles, Brewers, Marlins, Nats to name a few have no chance to compete unless they have home grown talent who will sooner or later leave for more lucrative contracts with the Cubs, Yankees, Giants, Dodgers, Red Sox, Phillies types.

I dont think payroll should define small market vs big market. Do you really think San Diego is a big market and Baltimore/Washington are small markets? Nationals had always had big payrolls until recentily.

I would say payrolls normally go parallel with how big of a market you are in. Are there exceptions sure, are there some outliers certain years sure. The Padres for a long time been a smaller market team for as long as I can remember with a smaller than most payroll, they have just now of late started spending a lot. Nationals are the opposite (didn't spend, to spent a little when Harper was there, to now nothing again) and have not been able to retain any high profile players let a lone draw any one in there.

Nationals spent tons of money on Strasburg, Scherzer, Corbin.

This is where I disagree with you. I think generally speaking, market size doesnt really change. A small market team will always be considered small market. A lot of small market teams REFUSE to spend money but San Diego is SPENDING money. That doesnt all of a sudden make them a big market team.

Here is more on the subject:

How Can a Small Market Team Go All in and Win?

While several teams made themselves better in the leadup to last week’s trade deadline, the San Diego Padres dominated the conversation.

shepherdexpress.com

Some snippets from the article:

The Padres, however, are nowhere near the Yankees or Dodgers’ income levels. In fact, San Diego is one of MLB’s smallest media markets (this Forbes story from 2021 cites their #29 ranking among US markets).

The Padres’ deal, signed in 2012, has an average annual value of $60 million. They still opened the season with MLB’s fifth highest payroll.

In an era where many MLB teams are engaged in perpetual rebuilds or choosing profit over competitiveness, the Padres are showing that another path is possible. As Craig Calcaterra wrote in his newsletter last week, “if the Padres can do this any team can do this, so stop blaming market size for the inaction of your local nine’s front office and blame simple cheapness and greed.”

 

[snellman]

I don't think there is any way that it looks like a good deal in year 13, but I understand why it was given.

Yeah, I don't think anybody thinks so. These are just deferred contracts. And $27 million is going to be worth a lot less in 13 years due to inflation than it is today.

There was a great article in The Athletic today about this. It looks like the big market clubs have figured out that the longer term deal is actually better for them in terms of skirting the luxury tax rules. So say Correa wants $360 million. The Giants spread that out over 13 years so his yearly average is only $27 million over that whole time span instead of a 10 year term where it's $36 Million.

Helps keep them below luxury tax potentially. Now, the down side of course is that 13 years from now they have a guy counting $27 million against their payroll. But they are really getting a $36 million dollar a year player now and when he's in his prime.

If you are able to, I totally agree with spreading it out to avoid the luxury tax. Unfortunately it is something only the large market teams can do. Minnesota, KC, or any of the other small market teams can't afford to have 27 mil in "dead money" which is more than likely what it will be at the end of the contract clogging up their books while it doesn't hurt the larger market teams.

IMO the biggest fail of this last CBA was the fact that no salary cap or salary minimum what put into place. The players association complained because teams were tanking and cutting payrolls and keeping the to a minimum, but they are against having a salary cap because it would limit these mega deals. IMO, if they want to help bring baseball back in popularity, that is one of the first things they should have done, but baseball is a bunch of antiqueted owners and a players association that no matter what it says is only concerned about the top 1% of players.

 

[Capella]

Baseball contracts are terrible..gives these small market teams no chance in hell.

There are no small market teams, just small market owners. They all have plenty of resources.

 

[Snotbubbles]

I don't think there is any way that it looks like a good deal in year 13, but I understand why it was given.

Yeah, I don't think anybody thinks so. These are just deferred contracts. And $27 million is going to be worth a lot less in 13 years due to inflation than it is today.

There was a great article in The Athletic today about this. It looks like the big market clubs have figured out that the longer term deal is actually better for them in terms of skirting the luxury tax rules. So say Correa wants $360 million. The Giants spread that out over 13 years so his yearly average is only $27 million over that whole time span instead of a 10 year term where it's $36 Million.

Helps keep them below luxury tax potentially. Now, the down side of course is that 13 years from now they have a guy counting $27 million against their payroll. But they are really getting a $36 million dollar a year player now and when he's in his prime.

The NHL GMs tried this...it led to a lockout.

ETA: In the next MLB CBA I assume this will be addressed with limits on contract length when those big market teams can't spend money because they are hamstrung with multiple dead weight contracts.

 

[Snotbubbles]

Baseball contracts are terrible..gives these small market teams no chance in hell.

maybe smaller clubs like MIA and such shouldn't be money pinchers. Also better scouting does wonders and good minimum signings work. Look how Tampa got to the WS that one year. Still lost but they made it on a payroll way less then NYY or BOS

The Braves are a perfect example of how to run your organization. Draft and develop well. Sign your young talent early. If a player wants to much money, trade for a good replacement to fill the void.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

Baseball contracts are terrible..gives these small market teams no chance in hell.

There are no small market teams, just small market owners. They all have plenty of resources.

But unfortunately some owners who have the resources to spend AND are in a big market (Chicago) choose not to do so, much to the chagrin of their suffering fans.

I'm looking at you Reinsdorf.

 

[ChiefD]

All I can say about all this money flying around is if the Royals of all teams can win a World Series ANY market can win a World Series.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Baseball contracts are terrible..gives these small market teams no chance in hell.

There are no small market teams, just small market owners. They all have plenty of resources.

But unfortunately some owners who have the resources to spend AND are in a big market (Chicago) choose not to do so, much to the chagrin of their suffering fans.

I'm looking at you Reinsdorf.

This was the Phillies ownership as well before Middleton acquired a controlling stake.

 

[fred_1_15301]

The Pirates are a small market team, have an owner who is making a gazillion dollars and refuses to spend any money at all. He’s the most disgraceful owner in sports. He has absolutely no interest in winning so the only way the Pirates have a shot at winning is if their young, cash controlled players all pan out at the same time. The problem is they’re also not good at scouting. Why was I forced into being a Pirates fan? I did nothing to deserve that.

 

[DJackson10]

The Pirates are a small market team, have an owner who is making a gazillion dollars and refuses to spend any money at all. He’s the most disgraceful owner in sports. He has absolutely no interest in winning so the only way the Pirates have a shot at winning is if their young, cash controlled players all pan out at the same time. The problem is they’re also not good at scouting. Why was I forced into being a Pirates fan? I did nothing to deserve that.

not as bad as the Reds owner. Castellanos called him out early this past season

 

[heckmanm]

The Pirates are a small market team, have an owner who is making a gazillion dollars and refuses to spend any money at all. He’s the most disgraceful owner in sports. He has absolutely no interest in winning so the only way the Pirates have a shot at winning is if their young, cash controlled players all pan out at the same time. The problem is they’re also not good at scouting. Why was I forced into being a Pirates fan? I did nothing to deserve that.

not as bad as the Reds owner. Castellanos called him out early this past season

Honestly I think they’re pretty close, but does the Pirates owner have an idiot son who mocks the fan base?

WHERE ELSE YA GONNA GO?

 

[AAABatteries]

Baseball contracts are terrible..gives these small market teams no chance in hell.

Makes me appreciate even more what Alex Anthopoulos has done with the Braves.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

Baseball contracts are terrible..gives these small market teams no chance in hell.

There are no small market teams, just small market owners. They all have plenty of resources.

But unfortunately some owners who have the resources to spend AND are in a big market (Chicago) choose not to do so, much to the chagrin of their suffering fans.

I'm looking at you Reinsdorf.

It’s pathetic to think that the 5-year, $75m deal they just offered to Andrew Benitendi is the HIGHEST free agent signing they have ever had. For a somewhat decent LF’er.

Sigh.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Swanson to the Cubs 7/177.

An overpay, but not extravagantly so.

 

[DJackson10]

Baseball contracts are terrible..gives these small market teams no chance in hell.

There are no small market teams, just small market owners. They all have plenty of resources.

But unfortunately some owners who have the resources to spend AND are in a big market (Chicago) choose not to do so, much to the chagrin of their suffering fans.

I'm looking at you Reinsdorf.

It’s pathetic to think that the 5-year, $75m deal they just offered to Andrew Benitendi is the HIGHEST free agent signing they have ever had. For a somewhat decent LF’er.

Sigh.

Reinsdorf has always been stingy even with FA signings for the Bulls.

 

[bigbottom]

Whoa. Mets on a monstrous spending spree.

Source: Correa changes course, agrees with Mets

In a stunning turn, shortstop Carlos Correa has agreed with the Mets on a 12-year, $315 million deal, eschewing a previous agreement with the Giants, a source confirmed.

www.espn.com

 

[FairWarning]

Swanson to the Cubs 7/177.

An overpay, but not extravagantly so.

What would SF offer him today after the Correa news?

 

[FairWarning]

For those who like these big contracts - just think if the Cubs gave all of their young stars 8-10 year contracts in 2016-8.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

That's going to be an awkward conversation between Giants management and Brandon Crawford.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Mets believe they can buy a championship. I doubt this ends well for them.

 

[Da Guru]

Whoa. Mets on a monstrous spending spree.

Source: Correa changes course, agrees with Mets

In a stunning turn, shortstop Carlos Correa has agreed with the Mets on a 12-year, $315 million deal, eschewing a previous agreement with the Giants, a source confirmed.

www.espn.com

Giants will be happy in the long run. Correa will play 3B for the Mets. Correa has a history of back issues and probably will not age well.

Looking a CCs career numbers he basically averages around 22 HRs and 75 RBIs with 1 SB total in the last 4 season. Not eye popping stats for 35 million a year.

 

[jobarules]

Correa now to Twins 6yrs, 200m

 

[jobarules]

Correa signs with SF. Awesome.

Suck it, Twins.

LMFAO

 

[GroveDiesel]

Will he be the first player in MLB history to sign over a billion dollars in contracts in a year?

 

[Gally]

Will he be the first player in MLB history to sign over a billion dollars in contracts in a year?

not to mention all 30 teams signing him when all said and done

 

[The Man With No Name]

Sources: All AAA parks to use electronic strike zone in '23

How many years until it's in all MLB parks?

 

[snellman]

Correa signs with SF. Awesome.

Suck it, Twins.

Suck What?

Underdog finally won!

 

[BeTheMatch]

Correa signs with SF. Awesome.

Suck it, Twins.

Suck What?

Underdog finally won!

I will say this... The Twins organization/medical staff has a long history of poor handling when it comes to injuries.

It wouldn't surprise me if it came out at some point that Correa is missing his fibula.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

The Cubs are building an old-fashioned team, with a rotation that pitches to contact (but keeps the ball in the park) backed up by an elite up the middle defense.

The Cubs might be the team best prepared for the banning of the shift.

 

[snellman]

Correa signs with SF. Awesome.

Suck it, Twins.

Suck What?

Underdog finally won!

I will say this... The Twins organization/medical staff has a long history of poor handling when it comes to injuries.

It wouldn't surprise me if it came out at some point that Correa is missing his fibula.

I heard a report from a Twins beat reporter that the leg isn't even there, it is just a hologram.

 

[ChiefD]

Royals to sign Aroldis Chapman. $3.8 Million for one year.

yay!

 

[Eephus]

Royals to sign Aroldis Chapman. $3.8 Million for one year.

yay!

I guess Roberto Osuna was out of their price range

 

[jobarules]

Royals to sign Aroldis Chapman. $3.8 Million for one year.

yay!

As a Yankee fan, my condolences

 

[BeTheMatch]

Twins trade Arraez to Marlins for Pablo Lopez

 

[jobarules]

Twins trade Arraez to Marlins for Pablo Lopez

Stupid trade by Twins

 

[Eephus]

Twins trade Arraez to Marlins for Pablo Lopez

Stupid trade by Twins

They're selling high on Arraez.

The trade could work out for them if Lopez can stay healthy or if either of the prospects pan out. Jose Salas wasn't great at high A last year but was young (19) for that level. This is an important year in his development.

 

[snellman]

Twins trade Arraez to Marlins for Pablo Lopez

Stupid trade by Twins

One side of me agrees, but when I think about it, I like this move. Arraez was a throw back hitter who was very fun to watch and a fan favorite, but his value was never going to get higher than it is right now and his arbitration value was only going to go up. He really did not have a true defensive home even though he was more than serviceable at first base. His knees have always been an issue and they popped up again at the end of last season and his numbers started to drop because of it. Lopez is not a number 1 starter, but he has upside and can bring a strength to the rotation. The Twins also got a fringe top 100 prospect who was #4 for Miami and should enter as top 10 for Minnesota along with a lottery ticket lower level prospect. Krillof will probably be the 1B for now if his wrist can hold up with the possibility of Miranda even moving back to 1st when Lewis or the other top SS prospects the Twins currently have can slot in at 3rd. The infield was starting to get crowded and Arraez had probably already reached his ceiling and value would only go down.

It sounds like Miami is planning to play Arraez at 2nd which will hurt his value if his knees don't hold up.

 

[Eephus]

Since this is where the Twins fans are, I like the pickup of Michael A Taylor for a couple of minor league arms. Taylor has his shortcomings but he's a right handed bat and legitimate CF who can spell Buxton which will hopefully help keep him healthy.

 

[ChiefD]

Royals trade Adalberto Mondesi to Red Sox.

On behalf of Royals fans everywhere, and I feel I can speak for all of them: Good Riddance.