The more I think about it, the more I see some parallels from the offseason when we had to decide if we signed Bonds or Maddux...that time we went pitcher, who was a big part in continuing that string of playoff appearances.
This time around, I think you have to go with the hitter...less risk than the best pitcher available in Kershaw.
Get off my lawn!
jpx7 (04-20-2018)
I can't see the same team that just had to take it on the chin this past offseason to climb out of dead payroll, turning around and paying someone $300 million in free agency. The rebuild plan was always to trade for hitters from a surplus of pitchers. Like it or not, that is what the team, system, and payroll is set up to do.
Go get him!
Founding member of the Whiny Little Bitches and Pricks Club
Thank you all for this thread haha
UNCBlue012 (04-20-2018)
First Harper is not going to get a contract when it is "no brainer to opt out after 3 years". Other teams will give him something much more lucrative during the out years.
Second signing Harper will have a big effect on our chances of extenting some very important players. You cannot look at signing Harper in isolation from those considerations.
"I am a victim, I will tell you. I am a victim."
"I am your retribution."
I think you could say to Harper here is 130M for three years. Go get another huge deal afterwards.
The first couple of years on any extension for our young players is minimal. Maybe total value in that third year of Harpers deal around 20M at most. I get that there are escalators but you are talking about no Teheran money and cheap replacements all throughout the rotation. The math has to be worked out but I see it working if our attendance is up around 3.3M after winning 95+ games a year for 3+ years.
Natural Immunity Croc
While a front loaded 10-12 year deal with opt outs after years 2 and 3 could possibly work for the Braves, it will also work for other teams just as well.
Anyone paying attention at all this off season saw the mega-market teams bend over backwards to reset their luxury tax penalties. They did that for 3 reasons: Kershaw, Harper and Machado. They will be spending sums of money the Braves can't even begin to compete with.
You are wasting your time discussing Harper, but I know that won't stop you. Being wrong never stops you.
Prikichi (04-20-2018)
Many of you are going to be upset when the Yankees sign Harper and Machado and the Dodgers re-sign Kershaw.
Knucksie (04-20-2018)
50PoundHead (04-20-2018), Knucksie (04-20-2018)