Everyone and their dog knows that Harper isn't signing a deal without one and probably two opt outs. I think almost every team in the league would offer him 10/300M, but they know that won't get it done. It really wasn't a competitive offer at all, especially since he hadn't technically reached free agency yet.
Martin has openly expressed a willingness to play in a super utility role
There's also a point of diminishing returns trying to milk every last asset whenever someone is a pending FA. As I've stated before, there's value in putting a decent team and leadership around your franchise prospect. I refuse to fap to the idea of paying 15M for a couple of Forrest Wall types at the expense of Russell Martin.
If Martin asks to be moved to a contender that’s fine. He’s paid his dues and I wouldn’t blame him if he said he wanted to go and try to win. But wanting to move him for the sake of saving 5M and getting a C prospect is just a lazy way to arm chair GM.
As long as everything goes right, he doesn't get hurt, etc. For a a C prospect that's not that intriguing to me
I also don't think that Shatkins are interested in taking the PR hit on moving from Russell, our patriot.
Isn’t said expensive veteran still expensive if you eat virtually all of the salary to move him? Saving $4M is not worth the postional flexibility, elite mentoring for DJ and clubhouse leadership Martin will provide in his final year in Toronto. Plus, there’s value in the 2019 team not being an absolute tire fire and Martin is better than any alternative available.