That's my immediate reaction as well. Although, how many teams are going to spend more than $245m on a pitcher? I don't know if the pool has really expanded.Strasburg just signed for that 7/245. have fun with the bidding war.
I would assume the bidding now starts at 7/246Strasburg just signed for that 7/245. have fun with the bidding war.
That contract does have a vesting option if he throw 165 innings. Which he should be able to do.Yankees trying to trade Happ
Twelve months ago, the Yankees made veteran left-hander J.A. Happ one of their key offseason signings. After a solid 2018 divided between the Blue Jays and Yankees, New York re-upped Happ to a two-year, $34MM contract. Now, the club is “actively” seeking a taker on the trade market for the 37-year-old Happ, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
If signing Cole hinges on Happ getting traded first, then that is kind of ridiculous.Andy Martino says they want to trade Happ to shed payroll to fit Cole in. If they trade away all of Happ’s money it would drop the anticipated payroll including arb raises to about $192-$193 million
I don't know about World Series favorites (maybe?), but that would be an amazing off season. Beyond getting Cole, I'd be especially happy if Betances came back. If the three batter/finish the inning thing really happens, adding Betances to an already strong bullpen might accentuate the Yankees' bullpen advantage even more. Assuming the Yankees don't see to much of the downside of relief pitching year-to-year variability, of course.If they get rid of Happ, get Cole, and bring back Betances, Didi and Gardner, well, I think they are World Series favorites.
Or the Springfield Isotopes, their owner is loaded.My guess is the White Sox.
This is how I feel as well. One would think that fielding a well rounded team is in the best interest of an organization. But perhaps it’s a billionaire owner thing, and he wants to make whatever statement. Pujol’s contract is also coming off the books (2022) so perhaps that’s a consideration.Honestly at these price levels, it doesn't make sense for anyone but the Yankees. I read a long Angels fan thread yesterday and almost all of them would prefer that their GM split up that money and sign multiple players.
Really seems like we could hear today."Boras said that Cole’s free agency could be resolved “in the short term.”"
In this world, I could see Heyman taking money from Boras in exchange for social media support. Against all media rules but who would know?My guess is Heyman‘s head is so far up Boras’ ass that it’s amazing he was even able to type that, and any mention of a mystery team by him should be ignored.
Does it?Boras said there are two new mystery teams. The plot thickens.
This got me thinking, does Heyman have a regular gig right now? A quick google tells me that he was working for FanRag and then Fancred Sports, but the last article on Fancred from him that I see if from December of last year.In this world, I could see Heyman taking money from Boras in exchange for social media support. Against all media rules but who would know?
The past decade and more has been a period of transition for many journalists. I would not say things are worse. They just got more complicated. A guy like Heyman was linked to one newspaper for many years. And then the world began to change. Cable TV opened up for print reporters. Talk radio. More money. You can see how guys like Jerry Callahan and Sean McAdam adjusted in Boston.This got me thinking, does Heyman have a regular gig right now? A quick google tells me that he was working for FanRag and then Fancred Sports, but the last article on Fancred from him that I see if from December of last year.
I've never been a big fan of his, but damn, the environment for sports writing seems to get worse and worse every year.
I know you're our resident expert. And hell, JA is too for that matter, though I think less recent. Maybe others. Are things as bad as they look? Can it get worse? Will it get worse?
Yes it does. What’s new is the cable networks, like Comcast in Philly and Boston, are cutting sports staff now.Thanks Terry. Kind of seems like a gig economy writ large.
This is all reasonable but keep in mind that people said the same stuff about Sonny Gray last year (except the age) and he had an incredible year for the Reds. Teams that have been rumored to be interested in Happ are the Rangers, Brewers, Angels, Padres, Cubs and Blue Jays.I have difficulty to seeing which team would trade for Happ. He was not good last year and that 17 million dollar option for 160 innings next year seems pretty bad as well. And if you dont want him to get to that innings limit/hope he doesnt get there, why trade for the right to pay him 17 mil? IDK seemed like a bad contract when it was signed and seems even worse now. They guy is 37 years old
"The Yankees do not have to move payroll, like by trading Happ, before signing Cole. Can make the expenditure beforehand and don’t have to move Happ if offers aren’t acceptable. Feels like Cole decision coming soon."If signing Cole hinges on Happ getting traded first, then that is kind of ridiculous.
F5 is clearly superior.Can we just retitle this threat "Ctrl + R"