Brandon Crawford didn’t want play anywhere other than San Francisco, which is why he was so insistent on full no-trade protection in his recent contract extension, CSNBayArea.com’s Alex Pavlovic writes. Giants GM Bobby Evans and Joel Wolfe, Crawford’s agent, first discussed an extension last spring but talks didn’t really go anywhere, so discussions were re-opened in October while Evans was waiting for free agency to open. As Pavlovic notes, locking Crawford up early means the Giants can now use the Gold Glove-winning shortstop as a selling point to attract free agent starters. Crawford has his extension settled, and here’s some more news about other stars who may be in line for big multi-year deals…
- With Crawford’s contract settled, Brandon Belt could be the next Giant to receive an extension, Pavlovic writes in a separate piece. Evans said he’s had some talks with Belt’s representatives but it’s possible they could settle his 2016 contract first before exploring a longer-term deal. Belt’s concussion history isn’t an obstacle, as Evans said the Giants have “gotten very good medical info that doesn’t give us concerns about Brandon’s health.” Belt hit .280/.356/.478 with 18 homers in 556 plate appearances last season, and while the Giants were still prone to sitting him against left-handed pitching, Belt posted a very respectable .802 OPS in 145 PA against southpaws. He’s projected by MLBTR to earn $6.2MM in 2016, his second year of arbitration eligibility. San Francisco doesn’t have any intention of trading Belt, Pavlovic adds, so rumors of the team’s interest in Chris Davis may be overblown.
- Dallas Keuchel and the Astros are expected to discuss a long-term deal this offseason and both Keuchel and GM Jeff Luhnow speak to the Houston Chronicle’s Evan Drellich about the possible shape of these talks. Keuchel is something of a “hard comp,” as Drellich notes, because of how few players have matched his exact career path. MLBTR’s Steve Adams described some of the main points that will go into the Keuchel negotiations when news first broke of the extension talks in August.
- Six rival executives gave their guesses about what a Bryce Harper extension might look like to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, with guesses ranging from six years and $180MM to a record-breaking 15-year, $450MM deal with a player opt-out clause. While the Nationals would be extending Harper at his peak of production, the team would also have some leverage since Harper’s current contract limits his earnings through that would’ve been some very expensive arbitration years. The executives aren’t sure exactly what form a Harper extension could take, though it could be a moot point since they doubt an extension will be signed — most Scott Boras clients hit free agency rather than sign lengthy extensions with their original teams. Kilgore’s piece is well worth a full read, as it’s a very interesting look at the numerous factors that will go into Harper’s next contract (whether it’s an extension or a free agent deal) and the six execs present a wide range of fascinating contract scenarios.
I hope the Red Sox can use Crawfords extension as a guide for Bogaerts contract. He needs to be locked down asap.
Big difference here, mainly the fact that Bogaerts has Scott Boras as his agent. Boras is not going to discuss an extension unless the Sox went absolutely insane (10/325) which I doubt they do.
While chances are slim It doubt I would take anything close to 10/325. Boras likes to go to free agency but Bogaerts has final call. If they offer him a market deal then theres a chance. 10/325 is not market for Bogaerts.
So much for ever seeing Crawford in a Braves uni.
There was never a chance. Braves have the SS of the future, they just need a stop gap.
Yeah I know we have Albies. Fingers crossed he develops the way we think he will (which is not a given). I just really really like Crawford. Good to see a player want to stick with one team.
Aybar is the stop-gap they were looking for.
Fully aware of that.
If FO price Harper at $450 M; how does Boras not ask for half billion.
The real comp for Keuchel is…..Brandon Webb.
There is no chance Harper signs an extension. Zero.
I mean if the Nats started at AAV of $30 million and were willing to go up im sure he might be willing to sign depending on the price. While being a Boras client definetly doesn’t help, anything can happen. I mean who thought Wieters, a Boras client, would actually take the QO. I thought he should’ve taken it since his value was down but i just felt that being a Boras client he would try his luck on the market
Why would Boras and Harper accept an AAV of $30M? That is the top of baseball’s mountain now, but in three years when he’s a free agent? It’ll be higher. That’s what the Nationals will have to pay for to entice Harper to sign. A deal with an AAV north of $35M to start, the years and opt out(s) to be determined. Not going to happen.
I could see Harper in a Yankees Union
Harper will cause a major bidding war , if they allow him to reach free agency
No he won’t. When Harper becomes a free agent there will be very few teams willing to pay the price it will cost for his services. He’ll likely only have a few suitors…the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, and if Mike Illitch is still alive, perhaps the Tigers. But I can’t see many other teams willing to approach the half-billion dollar mark that it might take.
There is almost a 0% chance that the Nationals are able to sign Harper to a contract that would buy out even one of his free agent years. There are too many things going against it…his agent for one, the fact that he’s already made real money ($10M+, something Trout had not come anywhere near achieving when he signed his deal) and can afford to wait, and his obvious desire to be a Yankee. And it’s not like if he doesn’t take a massive deal now he won’t be offered one in three years when he’ll be 26. Unless the Nats offer something incredibly foolish…say $40M+ per year for 15 years, there’s no chance he’s signing. Offering $450M/15 yrs sounds incredible, but that’s $30M per year, which is essentially baseball’s top AAV right. In three years it might be $35M or $37M. So if he signs a 12 year deal for $35M per year, and counting the money he’ll make between now and then, it’ll be more.