I realize we have other threads, but with 3 significant names off the board and the continued countdown for a RS move, I figured a free agent thread was appropriate (and the fact that no one likes mega-threads).
Homer at 4 years for 80MM is reasonable. Anything more than 20 MM/year ---> no thank you. Hosmer better fits a positional need for the RS (even if not a great defensive 1B)
Compared to JD Martinez: https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/j-d-martinez-is-worth-the-price/
If the conclusion is Martinez 5 years at 110MM is considered a deal for the club, so let's say 5 years at 120MM (24MM/year) is a reasonable signing.
What makes the negotiating interesting and complicated is that they are both represented by the same agent. It is difficult to go to Boras and tell him 1st one to accept the "RS value" offer gets the contract, which could certainly be done if both players had different representation. At this point with the RS' farm system depleted, the Yankee moves, the RS are clearly target #1 for Boras and conversely it is logical that these 2 free agents are target #1 and 2 for the RS. In the end, I think the RS need one of them and I would be on board either at the above (or close to the above) "reasonable" contracts. And much happier with either free agent signing than trading JBJ for a similar player presumably at a 20-30 MM savings over 4 yrs.
As usual a well done fangraphs article with a conclusion that makes sense:I’d read this. It covers most of the concerns: https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-2018-free-agent-landmines/
Excerpted: “For the bulk of Hosmer’s career, he’s been a slightly above-average hitter while playing a position where hitting is the primary job description.”
Homer at 4 years for 80MM is reasonable. Anything more than 20 MM/year ---> no thank you. Hosmer better fits a positional need for the RS (even if not a great defensive 1B)
Compared to JD Martinez: https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/j-d-martinez-is-worth-the-price/
If the conclusion is Martinez 5 years at 110MM is considered a deal for the club, so let's say 5 years at 120MM (24MM/year) is a reasonable signing.
What makes the negotiating interesting and complicated is that they are both represented by the same agent. It is difficult to go to Boras and tell him 1st one to accept the "RS value" offer gets the contract, which could certainly be done if both players had different representation. At this point with the RS' farm system depleted, the Yankee moves, the RS are clearly target #1 for Boras and conversely it is logical that these 2 free agents are target #1 and 2 for the RS. In the end, I think the RS need one of them and I would be on board either at the above (or close to the above) "reasonable" contracts. And much happier with either free agent signing than trading JBJ for a similar player presumably at a 20-30 MM savings over 4 yrs.