Betts agree to $20M contract

[Station 13]

No arbitration hearing this time

 

 

https://weei.radio.com/blogs/rob-bradford/mookie-betts-agrees-20-million-contract

[Bellhorn04]

The interesting question, of course is, did the Sox play super-nice here to enhance the chances of him signing an extension?

[Station 13]

The interesting question, of course is, did the Sox play super-nice here to enhance the chances of him signing an extension?

 

It doesn't hurt. I think we'll hear something by spring. Give him something above $25M0+. His $20M is nearly a 100% Raised from 2018. If they are smart, avoid that $30M+ next year AAV by ripping up this $20M and extend him, otherwise his FA AVV could be around $35M.

[jacksonianmarch]

His FA AAV will be $35 mil, especially if he posts big numbers the next two seasons

[Hitch]

The interesting question, of course is, did the Sox play super-nice here to enhance the chances of him signing an extension?

 

That was my very first thought.

[notin]

The interesting question, of course is, did the Sox play super-nice here to enhance the chances of him signing an extension?

 

 

No. Agents have short memories when it comes to this kind of thing...

[Kimmi]

No. Agents have short memories when it comes to this kind of thing...

 

Agents may have short memories, but what about the players?

 

My understanding about the way arb hearings go is that the team is listing every little reason they can to show why the player is not worth what the player thinks he is worth. That can't sit well with the player.

 

I'm sure the Sox had the extension in mind when deciding to avoid an arb hearing this year.

[Kimmi]

And yikes. What a crazy amount.

 

Mookie is already set for life. He doesn't need the 10 year mega deal. LOL

[Carpin]

And yikes. What a crazy amount.

 

Mookie is already set for life. He doesn't need the 10 year mega deal. LOL

 

Let's see what he thinks

[Northern Star]

Now trade him at the deadline.

[notin]

U

Now trade him at the deadline.

 

For a closer!!!

[harmony]

What is the cumulative total of raises for the 12 arbitration-eligible Red Sox players?

 

How do the raises impact the available payroll in light of luxury-tax implications?

 

OK. Moonslav addressed the questions on a separate thread.

Edited January 12, 2019 by harmony

[Nick]

What is the cumulative total of raises for the 12 arbitration-eligible Red Sox players?

 

How do the raises impact the available payroll in light of luxury-tax implications?

 

OK. Moonslav addressed the questions on a separate thread.

 

Cot's Baseball is a terrific resource. They had 9 arbitration eligible players at $55.425M. Eye test says it ended up being around$58M at most. (eg projected Betts at $19.5M vs $20.0M final). Not much changes.

 

We're about $35M over the luxury tax limit. Implication is that IF, and that's big f***ing IF, $40M over is Henry's absolute cap, then we only have about $5M to sign a closer without going over the second penalty phase.

 

Most of us agree that we'll go over the $40M overage mark. Bigger question is implication for 2020. Ideally we'd sign Kimbrel for one year $20M and go take a nap.

[moonslav59]

Yes, we're about $5-6M under the $40M line. That's probably what we want to keep for summer pick-ups.

 

If the $40M line is a cut-off, we are very restricted and probably can't even afford Cody Allen. We could try and cut some salary ($4M Vax, $5M Nunez, $6.5M Moreland, $20.6M Porcello), but then we open up a new hole.

 

More likely, we go over, maybe by as little as possible, but with an eye out for an eventual reset after 2019 or possibly 2020.

 

I'm still not sure signing anyone to a deal longer than 1 year is in the books, but if a bargain falls into our laps, we can do it, and we can then make a trade when it is reset time.

 

Let's see what DD can do under these circumstances.

 

[Kimmi]

Let's see what he thinks

 

Oh I know he will think otherwise, but it's the truth. Give me $20 mil. I'll be set for life. LOL

[moonslav59]

Oh I know he will think otherwise, but it's the truth. Give me $20 mil. I'll be set for life. LOL

 

Most could retire on $1-3M, and live better than they ever have.

[Carpin]

Oh I know he will think otherwise, but it's the truth. Give me $20 mil. I'll be set for life. LOL

 

Give me 10 and I will dance the rest of my life. LOL

[mvp 78]

This is great news. I was worried he'd get non-tendered.

[Nick]

Interesting thing about Betts extension would be how much of the 'house' he wants occupy and what it means for competitiveness of the team after the extension.

 

If you demand $400M over 10 years, can you still expect the team to field a contending team without breaking the bank?

 

Sox are $40M over the luxury tax limit with Betts earning $20M.

 

Biggest ticket item to come maybe re-signing Sale. Can we give both Betts and Sale $20M raises? Do we use Porcello's $20M and JD's $22M to sign both Betts and Sale? What about using Pablo's $17M to extend Xavier? Or what about using Xander and Pablo's money combined to give JD a new deal?

[Nick]

Follow up...

 

Realistically, you only need additional $30M to extend both Betts and Price. That would put their payroll at $35M and $30M. You can accomplish that with Pablo, Moreland and Pearce money.

 

You can use Nunez' $5M to extend JD. You can use Porcello's $20M and Xander's $12M to cover arbitration raises. Maybe use some of that money to sign Pearce to another one year deal.

 

Under this scenario, you still have Price, Sale, E Rod and Eovaldi as starters. Everyone will be back with Pearce filling in at 1B for one more year. We'll need a shortstop and a fifth starter.

 

We can remain $40M under the cap. That will cost us another $23M in penalties but Henry can afford it.

 

We'd still be competitive in 2020.

[Nick]

All of our discussion has to include financial aspect of it. To simply throw out that we need a closer makes no sense. Yes, f***ing genius, we need a closer. Is that likely based on what DD has been saying? That we're not looking to spend big money on a closer?

 

If I were flow charting my first question is do you think we'll reset? Honestly? I'd say no. I think at some point $40M over the threshhold becomes our 'hard cap'. That means Henry is willing to spend $23M in penalties. This will be true as long as we're getting into the playoffs.

 

If I'm Henry, there's no excuse for not getting to the playoffs while spending $40M over the limit? My reaction would be WTF? $250M and we can't buy a playoff spot?

 

With that in mind, we can re-sign most of our players. Not all mind you. Also by the time Beni and Devers become FA, Price/Eovaldi contracts will expire.

 

We need productive farm. I'm against trading away young players for bullpen help.

Edited January 14, 2019 by Nick

[mvp 78]

All of our discussion has to include financial aspect of it. To simply throw out that we need a closer makes no sense. Yes, f***ing genius, we need a closer. Is that likely based on what DD has been saying? That we're not looking to spend big money on a closer?

 

If I were flow charting my first question is do you think we'll reset? Honestly? I'd say no. I think at some point $40M over the threshhold becomes our 'hard cap'. That means Henry is willing to spend $23M in penalties. This will be true as long as we're getting into the playoffs.

 

If I'm Henry, there's no excuse for not getting to the playoffs while spending $40M over the limit? My reaction would be WTF? $250M and we can't buy a playoff spot?

 

With that in mind, we can re-sign most of our players. Not all mind you. Also by the time Beni and Devers become FA, Price/Eovaldi contracts will expire.

 

We need productive farm. I'm against trading away young players for bullpen help.

 

Why reset now when there's a "cliff" coming? May as well just reset then since there's "no way" we can resign Xander AND Mookie.

[Bellhorn04]

There's so much uncertainty that even JH and DD are probably uncertain what the hell the team will look like in 2020 to a large degree.

 

Extending Mookie seems like the only slam dunk.

[mvp 78]

There's so much uncertainty that even JH and DD are probably uncertain what the hell the team will look like in 2020 to a large degree.

 

Extending Mookie seems like the only slam dunk.

 

Do this the day Harper and Machado are both signed. Just get it over with once you know the price point.

[Nick]

Why reset now when there's a "cliff" coming? May as well just reset then since there's "no way" we can resign Xander AND Mookie.

 

f I were flow charting my first question is do you think we'll reset? Honestly? I'd say no. I think at some point $40M over the threshhold becomes our 'hard cap'. That means Henry is willing to spend $23M in penalties. This will be true as long as we're getting into the playoffs

 

Not sure where you are coming from...I clearly said NO RESET.

[Bellhorn04]

f I were flow charting my first question is do you think we'll reset? Honestly? I'd say no. I think at some point $40M over the threshhold becomes our 'hard cap'. That means Henry is willing to spend $23M in penalties. This will be true as long as we're getting into the playoffs

 

Not sure where you are coming from...I clearly said NO RESET.

 

This is basically the same thing I've been suggesting. It doesn't necessarily make sense to do a re-set, if you can at least stay below that 40 million+ level and you've got a playoff contender.

[Nick]

This is basically the same thing I've been suggesting. It doesn't necessarily make sense to do a re-set, if you can at least stay below that 40 million+ level and you've got a playoff contender.

 

Couple of years ago, there was an article about the financial impact of Yankees making the playoffs. I remember a number close to $50M for hosting the playoffs. My point is $23M in penalties will be offset by additional revenue generated from the playoffs.

 

My guess is Henry has more than enough money.

 

What will be his legacy?

 

"His estimated new worth was $1.5B at the time of his death" or

 

"Greatest Red Sox owner, beloved by millions for bringing 10 World Series Championships to Fenway faithfuls".....

 

 

I close with a quote from Steve Wonder, when told his home was 'modest'.

 

"No matter how much money you have, you can only eat three meals a day." He maybe blind, but he's very wise.

Edited January 14, 2019 by Nick

[mvp 78]

f I were flow charting my first question is do you think we'll reset? Honestly? I'd say no. I think at some point $40M over the threshhold becomes our 'hard cap'. That means Henry is willing to spend $23M in penalties. This will be true as long as we're getting into the playoffs

 

Not sure where you are coming from...I clearly said NO RESET.

 

Just because I quoted you, doesn't mean I was disagreeing with you.

[Kimmi]

Interesting thing about Betts extension would be how much of the 'house' he wants occupy and what it means for competitiveness of the team after the extension.

 

If you demand $400M over 10 years, can you still expect the team to field a contending team without breaking the bank?

 

Sox are $40M over the luxury tax limit with Betts earning $20M.

 

Biggest ticket item to come maybe re-signing Sale. Can we give both Betts and Sale $20M raises? Do we use Porcello's $20M and JD's $22M to sign both Betts and Sale? What about using Pablo's $17M to extend Xavier? Or what about using Xander and Pablo's money combined to give JD a new deal?

 

Tying up so much money in one player seems a little counter-intuitive to me.

 

The money saved from not re-signing Mookie could fill several holes.

[Kimmi]

There's so much uncertainty that even JH and DD are probably uncertain what the hell the team will look like in 2020 to a large degree.

 

Extending Mookie seems like the only slam dunk.

 

Not a slam dunk, IMO.

 

Re-signing Clay for one year @ $13 mil back in the day was a slam dunk.