We previously checked in on the vesting option scenarios playing out around the game. In the interim, though, we learned of a previously unreported clause and also gathered quite a bit more information about which options will and will not vest.
Here’s where things stand with just two weeks to go:
Already Vested
- Greg Holland: It didn’t take long for the Rockies closer to finish thirty games, which triggered a clause that turned his $10MM mutual option into a $15MM player option. All indications are that Holland will spurn that payday (and the qualifying offer that will surely follow in close succession) to test the open market, but it affords him injury protection the rest of the way. Holland has already earned $9MM in bonus money. With six more games finished over the final two weeks of the season, he’d tack on another $2MM.
- Gio Gonzalez: After topping 180 frames in his most recent start, Gonzalez is now under contract for 2018 at $12MM. While he has hit a bit of a wall of late, that still looks like quite an appealing price for a pitcher that has worked to a 2.68 ERA on the year.
Open Questions
- Ian Kinsler: It was learned recently that Kinsler’s 2018 option actually has a somewhat convoluted vesting provision. He’s guaranteed to earn $11MM upon reaching 600 plate appearances. And if he takes home another Gold Glove award, he’ll earn another $1MM in 2018. The option is going to be picked up regardless, but the 35-year-old can make things official if he strides to the plate 49 more times between now and the end of the season. He’ll likely get there if he plays more or less every day over the next two weeks.
Will Not Vest
- Ricky Nolasco: It’s still theoretically possible that Nolasco can reach the 202 1/3 innings he needs to transform a $13MM club option into a player option, but with over forty to go that’s just not happening as a practical matter. Instead, he’ll likely receive a $1MM buyout on the option.
- Matt Cain: Cain is even more certain to receive a buyout; he’ll get a cool $7.5MM when the Giants say no to the alternative of paying $14MM more to keep him for another season. The veteran has compiled 119 1/3 innings of 5.66 ERA ball to this point, far shy of the volume or quality needed for that option to come into play. (It would have vested at 200 frames.)
- Hisashi Iwakuma: Though he needed only 125 innings for his $15MM vesting provision to be triggered, Iwakuma has managed just 31 to date and is still on the DL. Instead, the M’s will likely pay him a $1MM buyout rather than picking up his option at $10MM.
- Andre Ethier: Though he made it back from the DL, it was far too late for Ethier to lay claim to a $17.5MM salary for 2017. Since it’s impossible for him to make it to 550 plate appearances, he’ll instead receive a $2.5MM buyout when the Dodgers all but certainly decline the club option.
- Matt Garza: Garza will be controllable via a $5MM club option. He was not able to reach 110 total starts from 2014-17, so his option did not vest at $13MM. But he also did not miss 130 or more days of action on the DL this year, so he avoided a provision that would’ve left the Brewers with a $1MM option for 2018.
- J.J. Hardy: Also now back from the DL, Hardy returned far too late to reach the 600 plate appearances he’d have needed for a $14MM club option to become guaranteed. Instead, he’s destined to receive a $2MM buyout from the O’s this fall.
It’s depressing that Cain will be getting nearly 8 million dollars to never call the Giants front office again when he’s been absolutely terrible for like four years now.
Phillies paid Cliff Lee and Ryan Howard a combined 22.5M to sit out. It happens.
Cliff Lee just got hurt, Ryan Howard was terrible
Ryan Howard ruptured his Achilles tendon. That’s not “getting hurt”?
Polish:
Incorrect, and not pertinent even if it were correct. He did get hurt, a career-ending type injury. He shredded it running to first in the playoffs. Your ignorance is indeed remarkable.
I believe the Dodgers are paying Carl Crawford something like 22 million dollars this season. It happens; every team has bad contracts. The Padres gave Hector Olivera 30 million dollars to go away, for example.
That’s the business of baseball
……..and it’s disgraceful.
I don’t see it. The CBA depresses the salary of younger players who may be at peak value–at the teams insistence. Some of the best players in baseball play for near the MLB minimum, or were induced to sign below-market extensions early in their careers because the teams had the hammer. And control over the younger player compensation is increasing–look at new International draft rules. MLB is a pay-you-dues and then you get paid sport.
Giants got a lot of value out of Cain earlier in his career–over 1400 quality IP (32 bWAR) in seven years.. Depressing for the team, but has to be depressing for Cain as well. I can’t imagine any professional athlete, especially one who performed at a high level, to want to see his career go this way because of injury.
Exactly, they rode in progression, young Lincecum, young Cain, n young MadBum to 3 World Championships, all taking turns bein the ace of staff, I’d take that any day !!!
Thankfully Josh Hamilton’s contract with the Angels is over in a few weeks. He got millions this year and sitting at home after surgery. There are a lot of bad contracts out there.
What Derek Holland get?
And Prince Fielder was another bad deal for Texas. He’s still drawing a pay check while sitting at home. Shoulda kept Kinsler
I thought they had 80% insurance on fielder?
Probably, all of these huge contracts are backed up by insurance policies.
Except for V-Mart curiously
Well just imagine if the Giants had signed Lincecum long term too. They wanted to get him on a deal similar to Cain’s.
The Giants GM is way to loyal to his players. I hope Bobby Evans and Bruce Bochy are gone from SF. No passion in this club and they have checked out for the season starting after the all star game last year. Clueless management.
At least the MGR has a track record.
So winning 3 titles in 7 years means FIRE EVERYONE, idiot
Yeah no passion…*cough* As Bouch polishes 3 WS rings, fan bases are never satisfied, it’s like listening to any Yankees, Dodgers, Cardinals, Cubs, Red Sox fan complain. Tbh it falls on deaf ears as other teams beg for just a competitive season-I’m a Twins who is actually enjoying what we have this year rather than bemoan past troubles
The Dodgers haven’t won the WS in 30 years. They definitely can whine about management.
Bochy proved he was the best mgr in baseball and still is. He can come manage in Philly anytime. Evans too loyal for sure. That’s why giants are where they are now and next 3 yrs
I’d gladly take Bochy in Cincinnati. He’d be a 100x improvement over Bryan Price, who can’t find his ass with two hands and a mirror.
To be fair, the average 12 year old would be an improvement over Price.
You are absolutely correct.
Please take him
You can have him
G’nts fans LOL
Jeff–if Kinsler just walks to the plate instead of strides, is there a different vesting scheme?
Sorry…..it’s been a long week–I really do like this site, and your work.
I hope LA takes a chance on Dre for one more year. Let him retire in Blue. He is an awesome player still.
I’d love to see that happen. When healthy ( which isn’t often unfortunately) he can definitely still play
Really wish Garza would just go away. At least there’s no chance he makes the rotation next year… right?
Sorry for the double post. Every time I post it happens and I have no idea why. My apologies