It’s tempting to assume the Dodgers will spend aggressively on free agents once new ownership is in place, but Jayson Stark of ESPN.com says it’s not that simple. Here are Stark’s latest rumors, starting in Los Angeles…
- Former Braves and Nationals president Stan Kasten, a key member of the Dodgers’ new leadership group, spent conservatively on outside free agents while in Atlanta, and the Nationals didn’t start spending aggressively until Kasten had moved on. Agents say spending lavishly on free agents is not Kasten’s style.
- Longtime Braves GM John Schuerholz "wouldn't be surprised" if the Dodgers spend big here and there, but he doesn’t expect splashy signings to become habitual.
- For the first time ever, no MLB team has a payroll below $50MM.
- Brewers GM Doug Melvin told Stark that National League teams have trouble competing for free agent sluggers who may have to become designated hitters late in their careers. Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols joined American League teams on long-term deals this past offseason. “When the length of those deals got to nine and 10 years, we just couldn't compete," Melvin said.
- The Rays aren’t looking for a short-term solution behind the plate, but they’d like to add an everyday catcher who can contribute for years, according to Stark.
- Schuerholz, who’s now the Braves president, says the team hopes to retain Brian McCann long-term, even though there are “no guarantees” that’s possible.
Doug Melvin has a valid point about why MLB needs to either do away with the DH or institute it for both leagues. It’s an unfair balance of power if AL teams can always win bidding wars for big hitters because the number of years a player wants can be addressed better by an AL team having the DH for later in the player’s career. Players always look for more years in their deals and AL teams always have the advantage of affording those years.
Agreed, and I think this will change eventually. Unfortunately, the DH will probably become universal rather than obsolete. I think that will be a sad day for baseball.
I second that emotion.
I don’t see the NL (bringing it in) or the MLBPA (getting rid of it) budging on their respective stances that have been in place for the last 30 years, simply because the disparity in a star DH’s salary and a 5th outfielders salary is anywhere between $5-15MM
As a longtime Braves fan, I’ll be saddened if the Braves can’t keep McCann long-term. I’ll understand – after all, McCann may be able to make MUCH more elsewhere and the Braves can’t compete with one player taking up 20-25% of their payroll – but I’ll still be very disappointed. McCann is a Georgia boy, born and bred, and it would be great to keep that guy around for his entire career.
The DH must die!
But I thought the Dodgers were going to buy every free agent out there?
According to…?
STORAGE WARS: Dodgers will sign the Houston Astros this offseason, then after sifting, will dispatch 95% of the take to the AL.
Smart move is pick-up McCanns option- no brainier if healthy. Then, let him walk unless he signs a team friendly contract. Probably won’t happen but can’t see giving a catcher a long term deal at age 30-31 approaching 9 figures. No DH and Braves have Freeman at 1B for hopefully several years. I like the guy, my daughters favorite player ( she catches and is #16). It sucks but letting him walk in 2014 is the best move.
Agreed. It’ll suck to see Mac go, but the Braves can’t afford the cash and risk it’d require to lock him up for what’s sure to be a 6+ year deal at Mauer money. It’s unfortunate, but that’s how it goes. Hopefully Bethancourt continues to progress and we’ve got a pretty ballin internal replacement. Can’t count on him, but he’s a legit prospect.
I’d like to see Mac remain in Atlanta as well. I hope he’ll follow in Chippers foot steps in taking a team friendly contract to remain. I’d be nice to have him, freeman, uggla and heyward around together for a few years.