MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

by Holly Horning

I have been riding the roller coaster of rumors and free agent signings on Monday, wondering when was the best time to write this blog.  Fearing that as soon as I published, it would be outdated.

UPDATE: While we were all sleeping, the Tigers are reported to have signed Javier Baez. A 6-year contract with price still unknown.

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: Unofficially, reports say the contract is for $140 million with an opt-out.

It’s been exhausting to read about all the players rushing to sign with teams before Wednesday night.  Many being proactive before the expected lockout comes and all baseball transactions have to stop until a new CBA is ratified.  Players want to lock-in before the lockout because they need to know how to prepare for the new season as well as find new homes convenient to their geographic location.

Also the fear that if a new CBA is confirmed just before or during spring training time, they may be forced to rush and sign without proper negotiations conducted.

So what am I seeing?  A couple patterns. 

And if you’ve been reading my blogs, you know how I love patterns……

First, the vast amount of money being spent.  Insane money.

Even the Rays and the Marlins are spending.  Now that’s weird….

And I’m wondering why so many are taking such big risks on certain players.

First, there’s Justin Verlander who will get $50 mill for 2 years.  A guy who hasn’t pitched (other than 6 innings) in 2 years and coming off major surgery.  Can he pitch for an entire season?  Can he last for an entire year or will he get burned out just in time for the playoffs?

We all love JV but he’s being paid twice as much as a regular #1 or #2 starter.  And he’s going to be almost 41 by the time this contract concludes.

And now, Max Scherzer.  Setting another yearly salary record for pitchers at $40 mill/year.  Without incentives included.

He’ll be 40 when this contract with the Mets expires.

But here’s what no one in the national media is mentioning.  Max will actually be raking in $55 mill each year!

The Nationals are still paying him $15 mill/year for the next 8 years on top of his Mets’ salary.

Despite his insistence that he wanted to play for a West Coast team, it all comes down to the money for Max.  He went from the Nationals to the Dodgers.  And now to the Mets.  That’s quite a fall.  (But for the record, he also said he’d be interested in a team that based their spring training in Florida since he lives there.)  He once again wanted to be MLB’s most well-paid pitcher.

 However, I have to giggle at the prospect of the Mets’ new GM (the former Angels’ GM) bringing in buddy Brad Ausmus to manage the team.  Careful what you wish for, Max.

Owner Steve Cohen clearly overpaid to get him to come.  That’s what happens when your organization is dysfunctional.

But the scary thing is that Cohen has now committed over $250 mill this year to the Mess, er, Mets and he still has holes to fill.  It’s being reported that he’s not too concerned with the luxury tax and he could just blow the rest of MLB out of the water in terms of overall payroll going forward.

Nick Castellanos is also looking for a big payday and rumors have it that he wants a contract of 7-8 years.  Don’t be shocked to know that Dave Dombrowski is entertaining the thought of a reunion in Philadelphia.  And we know Dave doesn’t scrimp on contracts.

Until Monday, the Tigers had spent the most on new contracts in MLB.  Now, they rank 5^th.

The good news is that they are spending money again.  Sensible money so far.

And they’ve been in the running for some solid free agents like Robbie Ray and Steven Matz.  Avila has been talking to all top 5 free agent short stops, too.

All a reassuring sign.

However, the bad news.  Marcus Semien was expected to have the shortest and least expensive contract at 4 yrs./$120 mill.  He just signed for 7 yrs./$175 mill.  Three years and $55 mill more than thought.

And he’s the oldest one of all.  Marcus will be 38 when his contract ends. And he probably won’t be the shortstop towards the end of his time there.

Ouch.

What he’s just done is set the bar much higher for the rest of the shortstop market.  Carlos Correa currently is wearing the world’s biggest grin.

Not great for the Tigers.  As of Monday, they have been most closely tied to Javy Baez.  That is, if Steve Cohen doesn’t bring him back, too.

But the most interesting part of this money madness?

It’s all going to a select few players.  Overall, approximately 80% of the rest of MLB players have stagnated salaries or are making less overall.  Primarily the guys who are no longer making minimum, under team control and not yet putting up big contract numbers.

And that’s one of the top points of contention in the ongoing CBA negotiations. The gap between what players earn and what owners are making has been getting greater with each passing year.

Ooops.

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• Running updates on the major contracts handed out, including former Tigers.

• Former Tiger pitchers earning big bucks and setting salary records.

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