Guess this could also be in ex-Phillies.
33 year-old Sean Manea, who had a 4.96 ERA in 2022 and 4.44 ERA in 2023 before the Mets signed him to a two-year $28 million deal that he opted out of, now gets three years and $75 million. He's a Boras client. Had a QO so easier for Mets to do than anyone else.
Walker Buehler, one year $21.5 million from the Red Sox (more with incentives). 5.38 ERA, -1.3 WAR, 75 IPs last year. Hasn't been consistent or healthy since 2021.
Also Joc Pederson, two years $37 million with an opt-out. He's a DH and a platoon player, but a big bat.
Walker Buehler to the Red Sox. One year deal at $21M. That’s a surprise to me. LAD must have a Japanese pitcher lined up. If not the Dodgers pitching took a major hit.
They already signed Snell, and get Ohtani on the mound. They're also expected to bring Kershaw back. You could argue Sasaki shouldn't even want to sign with them (given they also have Yamamoto and Glasnow and myriad 5/6 types) though obviously they had depth and injury issues last year (but Buehler was one of them. And they still won it all).
Dodgers also didn't QO him. He might have taken it, but instead he's getting more (with incentives).
Kershaw is cooked. Yamamoto and Glasgow broke down last year. Ohtani is coming off of TJ. Snell has had his durability issues. I wouldn’t bet on that rotation holding up for the season. There’s not much in their system as far as who is ready to step in.
It is interesting that Buehler left LA where Dr. El Attrache is located. He closely monitored Buehler after his last surgery. His arm may be in really bad shape or else Buehler wants a clean start. When he’s healthy, he’s a heck of a pitcher for six or so innings
They have a lot of fringey depth, the same dudes that didn't stop them from winning 100 games and the World Series last year. I remember the Philles bashed one of them right back to the minors last year.
Even with a $300 million payroll you can't keep adding $20 million guys 6 or 7 starters deep This is why the Phillies did the Luzardo deal, especially because they are still paying Walker.
Of course, they may also still get Sasaki.
Three years, $66 million. $15 million club option for year 4. $23 million is signing bonus, A bit more than $23 million is deferred which will bring down the AAV slightly. Even with all that Dodgers will be paying 110% on whatever the number is.
That's your Schwarber template I reckon. Hernandez still plays the OF, badly.
Meeting that revenue-sharing obligation. Still gotta wonder if he'll really be on the team by Year 4 (the first in Vegas) but I guess that's the goal.
8 days later
Figured I should move this into right place.
I'm happy to see the Phillies stay away from all high $ multi-year reliever deals. But 4/72 (18 million AAV) is still less than Hader (5/95, 19 AAV) and even Edwin Diaz three years ago (5/102, 20.4 AAV with an opt-out in 2025).
Granted they are still not guaranteed championship but I really feel like the Dodgers' combination of unlimited money, their deferral strategy (which allows them to invested the deferred money and make money off it) and their now near-stranglehold on the Japanese market is creating a new category of "have" - albeit one shaped as much by their creativity and baseball acumen as their pocketbook.
When Tanner Scott’s deal is made official, the Dodgers’ luxury-tax payroll for 2025 will exceed $375 million. That is about $70 million more than the next-highest team, Philadelphia. The Yankees are the only other team with a CBT payroll projected to be over $300 million.
— Jeff Passan ( @JeffPassan ) January 19, 2025
All the deferrals makes it easier for them to just pay the top-tier tax too. An ownership group like the Phillies (inherited wealth and independent businessmen) or the Astros (wealthy single owner but dozens of partners/investors) or the Braves (public corporation) still can't really compete with - or have the same appetite for risk as - a Guggenheim or Cohen type finance guy.
Fortunately, the most expensive team doesn't always win