Riley gets monster extension

Deal for Riley makes so much sense and it’s why it’s tough on the union to max payroll.

Riley could get more money but really what changes in his life if he gets 300 million versus 200 million? Meanwhile if he’s hurt or sucks he could only make 25 million in his career.

He seems like the hunting fishing family man type that wants to be on the team. And now he has 200 million coming to him. Below market deal I’m sure union hates but makes a ton of sense for the individual.
 
Deal for Riley makes so much sense and it’s why it’s tough on the union to max payroll.

Riley could get more money but really what changes in his life if he gets 300 million versus 200 million? Meanwhile if he’s hurt or sucks he could only make 25 million in his career.

He seems like the hunting fishing family man type that wants to be on the team. And now he has 200 million coming to him. Below market deal I’m sure union hates but makes a ton of sense for the individual.


Ultimately the MLBPA, or any union, exists and functions to serve its constituents. I'm very pro-labor, and absolutely in favor of as much money as possible going to the players; but the union should nevertheless not operate with goals and desires contrary to its membership. And, for every Riley, there are plenty of players chasing top dollars, irrespective of other concerns; so I think the MLBPA is probably fine with deals like these, which aren't wildly under-market and keep its constituents happy.

The Albies deal—different context notwithstanding—is one they probably didn't love to see. But it's so aberrant it doesn't really have any bearing on the market, so it's probably not worth them worrying about, as long as Albies doesn't feel materially slighted.
 
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I’m honestly just happy I’ll very likely get the chance to watch competitive Braves baseball for the next 5 to 7 years.
I can quibble with some individual moves from the AA era, but he has hit so many massive homeruns on the biggest moves of his tenure. Braves, with this payroll flexibility, are in an excellent condition to blow open an extended competitive window.
 
From Fangraphs:

That Atlanta would agree to this deal after very team-friendly contracts to Ronald Acuña Jr. (eight years, $100 million) and especially Ozzie Albies (seven years, $35 million) demonstrates how much Riley means to the franchise. In terms of rest-of-career WAR, ZiPS now ranks him as the top third baseman in baseball, his recent offensive outburst being just enough to force José Ramírez out of the top spot.

Not bad.
 
I can quibble with some individual moves from the AA era, but he has hit so many massive homeruns on the biggest moves of his tenure. Braves, with this payroll flexibility, are in an excellent condition to blow open an extended competitive window.

And if we get into top 5 payroll territory…watch out we have an incredible core that AA can go add to this off-season.
 
He is taking some risk given he'd probably get more in free agency but cant fault a guy for taking guaranteed money while it's in front of you. He can just play ball for the rest of his career knowing he's signed for the rest of his career.

A risk would be moving away from a team he loves to play for and a place he likes living in for more money to a new, unknown situation and a higher cost of living.
 
I don't see Riley playing 3b all 10 years. Am I alone in that belief? The stick plays in LF or DH so the length isn't problematic necessarily. Still, worth keeping in mind for the 5 year plan.
 
I don't see Riley playing 3b all 10 years. Am I alone in that belief? The stick plays in LF or DH so the length isn't problematic necessarily. Still, worth keeping in mind for the 5 year plan.

I figured he was destined for 1B, but now with Olson those 2 probably have 1B/DH locked down for the foreseeable future...maybe as soon as Ozuna is gone and Grissom is ready to step in at 3B.
 
I am shocked Riley has been this good over the last 2 years. Had him pegged as a .260-.270 hitter. I would still be still shocked if he keeps this up. With the way contracts are going he would still be around market value even if he regresses significantly. So that makes this a very good deal at the time regardless of what happens in the future.



The one thing I always liked about Riley is he got much better his second time through a league. That tells me a lot about a prospect. I remember being pretty low on Andy Marte compared to everyone else and it was for the same reason only reversed. Marte did pretty good for his age but he never dominated a level or got significantly better the second time around. I know people like to mock any scouting that isnt citing the latest greatest stat that was invented a week ago, but I think this is a good sign to look for with prospects.
 
I see comments in here about reworking Albies deal. How exactly would that be reworked??


Overpay for more years on the contract but add some of the money to earlier in the contract. For example, a 2 year 80 million extension that adds 2 years into the existing contract for 20 million each year and add the remaining 40 million to the existing contract. This kind of makes it a win win situation. We get more years of team control but the contract is a little less team friendly.
 
I don't see Riley playing 3b all 10 years. Am I alone in that belief? The stick plays in LF or DH so the length isn't problematic necessarily. Still, worth keeping in mind for the 5 year plan.


The DH is probably why they felt comfortable giving him a 10 year deal in the first place. Otherwise I doubt they go over 8 years.
 
Overpay for more years on the contract but add some of the money to earlier in the contract. For example, a 2 year 80 million extension that adds 2 years into the existing contract for 20 million each year and add the remaining 40 million to the existing contract. This kind of makes it a win win situation. We get more years of team control but the contract is a little less team friendly.

Has something like that actually ever happened before??
 
this is very unexpected and a great contract at the same time. I know 10 year deals are freaking scary.. one injury and we are stuck with a 22 million hole in our budget.. But to get that potential production for onlyy 22 million is HUGE..
 
this is very unexpected and a great contract at the same time. I know 10 year deals are freaking scary.. one injury and we are stuck with a 22 million hole in our budget.. But to get that potential production for only 22 million is HUGE..

There is insurance for injury. The scary part of a 10 year deal is trying to project when the skills will start to diminish. For some players guaranteed money means less incentive to bust your hump to be the best player you can be. The message from this contract is the front office just gave a huge vote of confidence in the work ethic of Riley. They are convinced this kind of security won't go to his head and make him complacent. They are convinced he is the kind of leader you want on this team for the next 10 years. That is a HUGE statement about his makeup.
 
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