No, they told him they weren't going to trade him, so the no trade didn't come into it.
But if they told him he was being traded to the Dodgers, you think he'd say no?
The payroll is $242 million for tax purposes this year. That's the second-highest in team history after 2019.
Much of that is "old spending" obviously, but that's how it works when you sign guys to big contracts. They stick around a while.
Yes, I know all that, and that it has a lot to do with why the payroll has limits.
But I have yet to hear any credible explanation for why Henry's other interests are impacting the Red Sox.
Devers is kind of the litmus test. I believe they will make a serious offer. If they don't, they will piss off a lot of people.
I think 2023 is the year that will define Bloom's career with the Red Sox, one way or the other.
I think Bloom had nothing to do with the decision.
If you want to fault anyone for not making a high enough offer, you have your pick between Henry and Dombrowski.
And Verdugo was coming off a pretty strong 23 year old season. I remember 700hitter saying we were dreaming if we thought we were going to get Verdugo in the deal.
Story has 23.3 fWAR in 826 games, or 4.23 per 150 games.
DeJong has 8.7 fWAR in 564 games, or 2.32 per 150 games.
According to FanGraphs, Story is 183% as good.
From what we heard the Padres were the only other team in play.
It's possible we could have gotten more talent if the Dodgers didn't take on $45 million of Price's money.