oldsox

Wrong. Not a huge salary. Boston paid that bonus.

On the subject of opt outs, I like them, especially on long term deals. If a player decides to opt out half way through the deal, it means he performed well all those years. It benefits the team. Plus, the same team has first shot at the new contract anyway.

I'm not surprised. Once San Diego entered the picture it was all over. Where would you rather live if everything else is equal, San Diego or Chicago, for a guy named Machado?

Has there ever been a major league hitter with an average under .200 who walks a lot?

That's the conclusion I came to last month.

Totally irrelevant stat in this case.

Mark Texiera was on one of the ESPN morning shows today, and he went into detail about feeling sorry for Machado/Harper because the big market teams are not bidding for them, even saying that they possibly do not want to play for any of the teams that are making offers.

Yes, that IS greed. Stringing it out just to get every last penny is a perfect example of greed. You can justify it in your mind, but it is still Greed.

Typical rate is 4%. They usually carve out enough cash to pay the agent up front.

Same with Rockies. Denver used to be a small market, but it isn't anymore.

Don't blame Nats for taking the offer off the table. I sure do like their outfield: Eaton, Robles, Soto. Wow.

Eternal optimist.

Opt outs don't bother me very much. It's a sign of the times. Even with a two year opt out, his next two years should be among his better years stat-wise, unless he has gained 25 pounds in the last 2 months. If his market value goes up, which it probably won't, Sox will still have the ability to pay the additional freight.

Hawk loved him.

Can someone year give us Law's Top Ten?

Barring injury, Yolmer will start the season at third.

Who said that?

I don't think that is true.

Hahn helped him.

Yes

Why were umps pissed at Moncada?

No, the problem is that the MLBPA thinks all these contracts should be exceeded by Machado/Harper deals, otherwise the word collusion applies.

I once thought that the collusion talk would never have happened if not for the stupid contract the Marlins gave Stanton. Two other gigantic contracts to Pujois and Cabrera could be more easily rationalized. MLPBA believes that these contracts should automatically be exceeded.

I think we should push Robert as fast as we can to get him to the majors as quickly as possible. Most folks here like to use the "not rush them" theory. IOW, give them 5 years or so in the minors to "develop", like Eloy. Not me, at least not with this kid. Get him up to Chicago ASAP. There are plenty of other studs who flew through the minors, because they were good enough. Trout, Soto, Machado, Harper are obvious examples.

IIRC, the same Drew, later in his career, sat out half a season before succumbing and signing with someone.