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Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 1/9/24
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Steve Adams
1:31
The Braves paid out Bruce Sutter's six-year, $9.1MM contract from the 80s over a THIRTY-YEAR period beginning in 1990.
1:32
People are up in arms because the deal was announced -- by Ohtani's agent, who has a clear bias toward how it's framed -- as a $700MM deal.
1:33
It's a 10-year $460MM-ish deal that is deferred with interest. That's how the sport is looking at it. Braves president Alex Anthopoulos even said as much to The Athletic in a Q&A earlier this month.
1:34
"if you look at what the net present value numbers are, they’re kind of in the range of what people thought. What threw everybody for a loop was $700 million but (the value) ended up where it was supposed to end up. I don’t really have a strong opinion of the contract one way or the other because arguably he’s one of the best players who’s ever played because of the two-way component and he should get the biggest contract."
People are up in arms …
1:34
No, the reason people are up in arms is because a) the mental gymnastics involved in telling fans it’s not REALLY 700 mil and 2) they’re paying 700 mil for a DH and two-time TJS pitcher.  This has Pujols written all over it.
Steve Adams
1:35
Nope -- the overwhelming social media backlash is the game is broken and the Dodgers cheated and this is ruining baseball. If fans of other clubs thought this would be Albert Pujols 2.0, they should be celebrating, because that contract was an unmitigated disaster for the Angels.
Joe
1:35
Why has the free agent market been so slow
Steve Adams
1:36
Holdups due to Ohtani bidding, the strict/finite window for teams to negotiate with Yamamoto, Imanaga and Lee (which doesn't exist with other FAs), lots of teams being uncertain about their television rights deals because of Diamond Sports Groups collapsing.
Plus MLB free agency is just... slow. In general. I'd have to go back and look, but I wonder if this is demonstrably slower than the offseason where both Harper and Machado were free agents.
MR
1:37
When you answer a question with its “unprecedented” that means it HASNT happened before. I’m not mad at the team or player, I’m mad at the rule. It should count as 70 mill AAV.
Steve Adams
1:41
The only reason people think that is because Nez Balelo announced the contract as $700MM, which looks great in future recruiting pitches for potential clients.

Were you similarly aghast when the deferrals on Scherzer's $210MM contract knocked the net present value down to $175MM, and the Nats took a $25MM -ish luxury hit rather than the full $30MM AAV of the reported $210MM sum?
Salty Saltwell
1:41
Hey...How about all those Cubs moves this off season.  People expected them to be among the most active players, especially after the craig counsell signing, but the result has been crickets.  Linked to everyone.  Signed no one.  When are we ever going to be seeing SOMETHING happen with this team
Steve Adams
1:42
Lots of teams have done almost nothing, though not sure that's much solace. I think the Cubs have a shot on Imanaga, and if they don't get him they'll pivot elsewhere. I expect them to make some moves of note when it's all said and done, but I get that the waiting isn't much fun.
B H LEE
1:42
Your guess to where Imanaga lands?
Steve Adams
1:42
At this point, my guess would be the Cubs
Tim
1:42
Did the Padres give up more than they got back for soto?
Steve Adams
1:43
Definitely, as they should have. They traded for 2.5 years of Soto at a more affordable rate and traded away one year at a much higher rate.
O Fo Sho
1:43
I think everyone just wishes that the team they root for did the same for Ohtani or other high profile players. The fact they all all have money to spend and don't is the real problem...
Steve Adams
1:46
Sure, but that's been an issue since the dawn of free agency. I also just think the arguments against it are straw men. The whole "there's no parity in baseball because there's no salary cap" is unequivocally disproven by the lack of repeat champions relative to other professional sports leagues (with caps), where dynasties are far more common. The notion that MLB fans pay the freight for rising costs is the same; if the league implemented a salary cap, your tickets, beer, parking costs etc. wouldn't magically be halved. Owners set the prices at what the market has shown a willingness to pay. I use the example often, but my food, tickets etc. aren't any cheaper when I go to a Wild game in St. Paul than when I go to a Twins game in Minneapolis, and the NHL has the strictest salary cap in the four major US sports.
Bruce
1:46
According to recent reports the Rangers may still be in on Montgomery.  If they really have 20m+ available, is that how you would spend it?
Steve Adams
1:49
I think re-signing Montgomery would be prudent for them. He's a consistent, solid performer and the Rangers' rotation looks suspect with both Scherzer and deGrom out to begin the year.

I don't think that's necessarily the "right" or "best" move for them. There's lots of ways they could use that money. If you want to argue they'd be better off signing Stroman shorter-term than taking on what'll probably be a six-year deal for Monty, that's defensible. But yeah, some kind of rotation upgrade is where I'd probably allocate the bulk of the remaining funds.
John
1:49
Orioles biggest move going to be Kimbrel?
Steve Adams
1:49
I think they'll trade for a starter.
Trevor Bauer
1:49
Everyone is needing SP, who is desperate enough to sign me?
Steve Adams
1:50
Weekly chorus of: he didn't sign in MLB last year and I doubt he will this year. Lots of teams just don't want to deal with him. He has fans who disagree with that. That's fine, but I don't see it changing right now.
Nick krall
1:50
Who is the best ground ball rate reliever still available that could help my team?
Steve Adams
1:51
Jordan Hicks and Wandy Peralta are the two best GB relievers still out there.
Hicks will cost a LOT more than Peralta will.
Yankeesfan21342
1:52
how much do you think jordan hicks will cost
Steve Adams
1:52
4/40 ish
Last Hurrah
1:52
Does Matt Chapman's deal impact what Bregman gets next year?
Steve Adams
1:53
Bregman's just the better and more desirable player. I don't think so.
dbacks
1:53
what else can Dbacks do to upgrade roster?
Steve Adams
1:53
Add a right-handed-hitting DH...Soler, Martinez, Turner
Rank it plz
1:54
ALE 1 through 5
Steve Adams
1:54
The offseason's not over yet!
Mr. Jay
1:54
It's been a year - are you able to explain Chad Green's deal yet?
Steve Adams
1:55
Nope! Still amazed by it. And still surprised the Jays picked up the 2/21 option. Not because I think Green's a bad pitcher or anything, but I felt like that was pretty close to the top end of his earning power and there was a good chance he'd have  come in  lower. Toronto clearly disagreed though.
Jonathan India
1:55
Will I get traded or get 500 AB in Cincy?
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