Yeah, you’re right that it’s not nothing.
I actually wonder what the team would do if they could spread Roark’s salary over like 5 years if they cut him.
The 15M team option with a 15M buyout is something we’ve never seen before. I guess he’d have to be utterly broken for the team to prefer to punt him and pay the money instalments.
Bauer doesn’t strike me as someone who’s going to respond to window dressing. He’s going to go to the team that A) offers him the most favourable contract terms, and actually convinces him that they have the infrastructure and personnel in place to make the arrangement mutually beneficial. He’s going to want his voice to be heard when it comes to his training regime and pitching on 3 days rest, and he’s going to want a team that provides him with actionable information that he might not otherwise have had.
I feel like Toronto is 100% able to meet his contract needs, but it’s anyone’s guess whether he’s impressed by the more subjective bits. It’s probably not something that can be faked though.
Especially if it ends up being a rental or an extension closer to $300M than $200M. I liked the idea of acquiring Lindor, but obviously a bunch of things had to fall into place for that to make sense.
I don't think they're looking for "rock bottom" prices. They outbid everyone for Ryu last year, because they were still comfortable with the terms. There are probably a few very good players that they're willing to pay more for than anyone else is.
Sugano would be a huge signing. He doesn't profile that differently from guys like Tanaka, Maeda, and Iwakuka, and they all are/were reliable rotation cogs after coming over.
A few items:
1. Frenchsoup's tenure as Hurl's co-owner has come to an end. Hurl is regaining full control of his team, and his roster moves will be reversed.
2. Rosters expand to 26 tomorrow, and all unowned players will be placed on waivers.
3. I will now continue getting very drunk, and will be soliciting trade offers.
Happy New Years