OFFICIAL: 2023-2024 Offseason & Free Agency Thread

[D-train]

It's not an albatross if he puts up $175 mil worth of WAR and he's already put up $105 mil worth.

Even assuming the same $8M per war if he puts up something like:

2024: 5 WAR
2025: 4 WAR
2026: 3 WAR
2027: 2 WAR
2028: 1 WAR

That is another 13 WAR and $105M of value.

He's signed to produce $175 mil worth of production. There's really no connection between that production and the annual payments on the contract, that's what fans seem to have a hard time understanding

Exactly. They think that if he is under water in 2028 it is some terrible thing. Given the same total contract value the longer the term the better for the TEAM.

[bpj]

So Semien in his final year will cost about what Marco+Evan White will cost us in 2024...

[Big_Maple]

Well - the Guardians just hired Stephen Vogt as their manager to replace legendary Terrty Francona. As I said before, this is a Vogt of confidence since he has no managerial experience.

That said, I have always admired him as a player, and I was secretly hoping he would replace Scotty as the manager of the M's.

Best of luck, Vogt.

https://thehill.com/homenews/ap/ap-spor ... -francona/

[D-train]

Well - the Guardians just hired Stephen Vogt as their manager to replace legendary Terrty Francona. As I said before, this is a Vogt of confidence since he has no managerial experience.

That said, I have always admired him as a player, and I was secretly hoping he would replace Scotty as the manager of the M's.

Best of luck, Vogt.

https://thehill.com/homenews/ap/ap-spor ... -francona/

One year as Bullpen Coach in the great M's org. is the ultimate stepping stone, I guess.....

[D-train]

It isn't an Albatross. He will make a TOTAL $46M his last two seasons. Mets are paying Verlander and Scherzer $43M EACH to not pitch for them this season. We are paying Robbie Ray $44M to not pitch in 2023-24.

I'm not sure, but this may not be fully accurate. The Mets are on the hook for some or all of Verlander and Scherzer's salary because they traded them.

Robbie Ray is on the IL, and although contract terms will vary, my understanding is that most MLB franchises have their players covered by insurance policies. If they go on the IL, the insurance company pays the salary. To be sure, Robbie will be paid this season. But I don't think the M's are directly on the hook for his paychecks until he returns from the IL.

There was a big stink about this when Edwin Diaz got injured during the WBC and questions arose about whether the Mets would be on the hook for his salary. They were not.

https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/mlb/ch ... bc/347428/

Verlander
2023 40 Houston Astros $43,333,333 17.002 $39.1M paid by New York Mets
2024 41 Houston Astros $43,333,333 $25M paid by New York
$64M total

Scherzer
2023 38 Texas Rangers $43,333,333 14.079 $43.3M paid by New York Mets
2024 39 Texas Rangers $43,333,334 $20.83M paid by New York Mets
$64M Total

[D-train]

I read recently that in recent years teams have eschewed insurance policies on pitchers because they are so expensive because of all the injuries.

[Big_Maple]

Verlander
2023 40 Houston Astros $43,333,333 17.002 $39.1M paid by New York Mets
2024 41 Houston Astros $43,333,333 $25M paid by New York
$64M total

Scherzer
2023 38 Texas Rangers $43,333,333 14.079 $43.3M paid by New York Mets
2024 39 Texas Rangers $43,333,334 $20.83M paid by New York Mets
$64M Total

Indeed. Kind of like the M's paying Cano years after he left Seattle. And getting busted for PEDs a second time.

[D-train]

The saved $11.7M of his salary in 2018 and paid $12.5M of his salary in 2019-2022.

2018 35 Seattle Mariners $12,258,065 12.153 Was due to make $24m. Suspended for 80 games during 2018, missed 91 calendar days, forfeited $11,741,935
2019 36 New York Mets $24,000,000 13.076 contract $5M paid by Seattle Mariners
2020 37 New York Mets $24,000,000 14.076 contract $3.75M paid by Seattle Mariners
2022 39 San Diego Padres $561,538 15.076 contract $23.44M paid by New York Mets (released), $3.75M paid by Seattle Mariners

[Pharmabro]

I guess the GM Meetings got underway in Az. today. (Scottsdale)
I have not heard any news coming out yet but I am sure some things will get done.

[harmony]

From Tuesday's predictions by Jim Bowden, a columnist with The Ahtletic and former MLB general manager:

2. Ohtani will surprise many by signing with the world champion Texas Rangers. The contract includes incentives, escalator clauses and award bonuses that will make him the highest-paid player in the history of the sport. The Dodgers and Mariners finish as the runner-ups in the Shohei sweepstakes.

https://theathletic.com/5039131/2023/11 ... gs-trades/

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