Another well-written and entertaining piece of writing for Mets-obsessed people like myself. One quibble is the seemingly obligatory use of the word "pivot". One of these days I'll come across a hot stove baseball post in which the word "pivot" is absent and I'll celebrate. Back in the good old days, writers would instead say, "change course", "turn to", "switch to", and so on. Forgive me, Mr. Baron, I'm a retired teacher.
Michael, I agree with you on what Pete’s contract will ultimately look like. I’m thinking 4 for $100m with a vesting option for a 5th year. Seems fair in this market. If we can get him for 3 years that’s even better. I’d like to see them bring back Winker. I just like his personality and he hits righties and can still play the OF in a pinch. I wouldn’t pay top dollar for a reliever. That’s such a risk and I don’t think Stearns wants to do that. Stanek or Robertson would be my pick. As for a starter, I think we can pry Castillo from the Mariners if we don’t get Roki.
I had a thought cross my mind last night regarding Pete: maybe there's a stalking horse out there no one is talking about, a team possibly looking for pop who could use an upgrade at first base and who don't have a massive salary profile.
One leaped out at me: the Cincinnati Reds. Elly De La Cruz isn't arbitration-eligible for a couple more years, and Hunter Greene is already signed through 2028. Ty France is the incumbent at first base, but he went .234 13 HR 51 RBI across 140 games with Seattle and Cincinnati.
And I'm sure Terry Francona would love to have a bopper in the middle of his lineup.
I have no idea whether the Reds have the kind of money to be in the mix, or if they do, whether they'd be willing to spend it now rather than keep their powder dry for Elly and some more pitching. It's hard to see Pete going anywhere for under $25 million per year, and he's not going to sign a three-year contract (which is what the Reds would be looking to do).
But from a negotiation perspective, Boras may have a little more leverage than is obvious on the surface.
There's no evidence the Reds would consider going this route financially or with a player associated with draft comp. They're not ones to usually add dramatically to payroll either. But I guess you never know if he's willing to do a one-year deal.
No evidence at all for it. I was just gaming out a negotiating scenario in my mind. I would tend to doubt it's the case myself, especially since they'd be totally priced out of Pete's market going in.
But is that still his market? I'm not sure where the number is any longer. Four or five years at $25 million per looks totally reasonable to me, and that's almost certainly beyond where Cincinnati would want to go. (I think Greene is their top contract at six years and $53 million.)
It's also almost certainly less than Boras is looking for. How does he get from the deal Pete rejected (AAV of $22.7 million, if I remember correctly) through the reasonable numbers to something like Freddie Freeman money (which is apparently what Pete wants)?
He needs a stalking horse. Or a few of them, even if they're not very likely.
(Side note: Pete would crush in the Great American Ballpark.)
Another well-written and entertaining piece of writing for Mets-obsessed people like myself. One quibble is the seemingly obligatory use of the word "pivot". One of these days I'll come across a hot stove baseball post in which the word "pivot" is absent and I'll celebrate. Back in the good old days, writers would instead say, "change course", "turn to", "switch to", and so on. Forgive me, Mr. Baron, I'm a retired teacher.
Michael, I agree with you on what Pete’s contract will ultimately look like. I’m thinking 4 for $100m with a vesting option for a 5th year. Seems fair in this market. If we can get him for 3 years that’s even better. I’d like to see them bring back Winker. I just like his personality and he hits righties and can still play the OF in a pinch. I wouldn’t pay top dollar for a reliever. That’s such a risk and I don’t think Stearns wants to do that. Stanek or Robertson would be my pick. As for a starter, I think we can pry Castillo from the Mariners if we don’t get Roki.
I had a thought cross my mind last night regarding Pete: maybe there's a stalking horse out there no one is talking about, a team possibly looking for pop who could use an upgrade at first base and who don't have a massive salary profile.
One leaped out at me: the Cincinnati Reds. Elly De La Cruz isn't arbitration-eligible for a couple more years, and Hunter Greene is already signed through 2028. Ty France is the incumbent at first base, but he went .234 13 HR 51 RBI across 140 games with Seattle and Cincinnati.
And I'm sure Terry Francona would love to have a bopper in the middle of his lineup.
I have no idea whether the Reds have the kind of money to be in the mix, or if they do, whether they'd be willing to spend it now rather than keep their powder dry for Elly and some more pitching. It's hard to see Pete going anywhere for under $25 million per year, and he's not going to sign a three-year contract (which is what the Reds would be looking to do).
But from a negotiation perspective, Boras may have a little more leverage than is obvious on the surface.
There's no evidence the Reds would consider going this route financially or with a player associated with draft comp. They're not ones to usually add dramatically to payroll either. But I guess you never know if he's willing to do a one-year deal.
No evidence at all for it. I was just gaming out a negotiating scenario in my mind. I would tend to doubt it's the case myself, especially since they'd be totally priced out of Pete's market going in.
But is that still his market? I'm not sure where the number is any longer. Four or five years at $25 million per looks totally reasonable to me, and that's almost certainly beyond where Cincinnati would want to go. (I think Greene is their top contract at six years and $53 million.)
It's also almost certainly less than Boras is looking for. How does he get from the deal Pete rejected (AAV of $22.7 million, if I remember correctly) through the reasonable numbers to something like Freddie Freeman money (which is apparently what Pete wants)?
He needs a stalking horse. Or a few of them, even if they're not very likely.
(Side note: Pete would crush in the Great American Ballpark.)