Here’s the latest from the Nationals, who take a 2-0 series lead into tomorrow’s Game Three of the NLCS….
- Could Anthony Rendon be open to the idea of a relatively short-term contract for a high average annual average? “Some friends of Rendon believe that he’s more interested in a shorter-term deal…because he might not be devoted to the idea of playing for as long as he possibly can,” ESPN’s Buster Olney writes, which Olney feels could make Rendon even more of an attractive target for a team like the Dodgers. Los Angeles reportedly had interest in such a short-term deal with Bryce Harper last winter, though such efforts fell short since Harper was specifically looking for a very long-term contract. A premium free agent like Rendon showing interest in only a very pricey deal of four or five years would be a fascinating wrinkle, as clubs would no longer have to worry about a late-30’s decline if Rendon is only under contract through his age-33 or age-34 season. (The third baseman turns 30 next June.) It could also create a ripple effect for future superstar free agents around the game, and the players’ union may also not be pleased at one of its top names taking what teams would certainly adopt as a precedent-setting model. Then again, Rendon’s agent Scott Boras has long aimed to garner maximum money at maximum years for his clients, and Rendon reportedly already turned down a seven-year extension offer from the Nats worth $210-$215MM.
- Victor Robles is expected to take part in batting practice and some running drills on Monday, manager Davey Martinez told reporters (including MASNsports.com’s Byron Kerr). Robles also did some running today and underwent treatment on his bothersome right hamstring, which was tweaked in Game Two of the NLDS. The injury has kept Robles out of action, though there is some optimism he will be able to return for Monday’s game. “I’m not going to anticipate anything until he comes in tomorrow. But he’s progressing and hopefully he will be ready tomorrow,” Martinez said.
- Robles will regain the regular center field job when he is ready to play, Martinez noted. This will send Michael A. Taylor back to the Nats’ bench, though Taylor has performed well (.300/.333/.450) in 21 plate appearances since filling in for Robles. It marked a nice turn-around for Taylor, the Washington Post’s Sam Fortier writes, as Taylor’s early-season struggles led to a demotion to Double-A, before he finally got his swing back on track in the final days of his minor league assignment. “I was finally able to get that feeling. I just tried to repeat over and over,” Taylor said about a hot streak that saw him post a 1.191 OPS over his last 52 PA in the minors. Though he was at one point a top prospect and seemed to be breaking out at the MLB level as recently as the 2017 season, Taylor has been inconsistent over his six big league seasons, but now stands as a very valuable bench asset as the Nationals continue their postseason run.
I remember reading a couple years ago in an article that Rendon doesn’t even like baseball lol.
He said that watching baseball isn’t fun at all and it’s boring. But playing baseball isn’t
He also said he doesn’t like the #6 but didn’t want to pay $40,000 to change it
I love Michael A. I want to see him play every day again. He’s been solid this post season
If Rendon turned down $200+ mil then he should have his head examined.
Why? He would retire an extremely wealthy man no matter what. If I was a superstar baseball player I would do the same thing. Sign a shortish rich contract and then do other things. There are things I, and probably plenty of actual players, would rather do than play baseball seven or eight months a year and work out much of the rest of the year.
Then why not retire right now?
Maybe because he wants to experience being a free agent and accrue $150 million before retiring? He’s relatively young by any standard. I think people are suggesting he retires at age 34-35 or something rather than 38-40.
Why would he retire now? Just because he may not want to play until 38-40 does not mean he has to retire right now at 29 just because it offends you that he may take a 5 year contract and see how he feels 5 years later
If Rendon would accept a 7 year contract he would have numerous offers more than $215 million
Does anyone else see the hypocrisy of the union behind the scenes putting pressure on players to sign for as much money possible and for as long as possible? If Rendon or Bauer want to sign year to year for the max money or sign a shorter deal at the highest AAV ever they should and the union should stfu
It actually makes the QO higher if a couple guys do that so from that perspective it’s actually a good move. More guaranteed money on a 1 year QO.
The QO is only relevant if someone accepts it. Most players reject it so it makes little difference.
I don’t see how Rendon would be a fit for LA. They have Turner at 3B and their biggest need is bullpen help.
Exactly! LA also has Lux, Taylor, Hernandez, and Muncy playing all over the infield. Why would they drop a large contract on a guy who has maybe 2 years left? Makes no sense!
Taylor and Kiki are subpar
Muncy is meh. I see your lack of get we got this and that.
Muncy is meh? Saying dumb things doesn’t make them true.
Not at all. But muncy could be the full time 1B. You could move turner to 2B and play Rendon full time at 3B. That would allow you to move Hernández, Peterson and/or Taylor for BP help if you desired.
Turner would be the one getting full time reps at 1B. He hasn’t played more than a dozen games at 2B since 2014, and has 28 and a third innings at 2B since then. Muncy on the other hand had 5 DRS at 2B this season.
Meh? I’ll be nice and say that your posts are meh.
He’s looking for 5 years/$210M, then. He’s gonna argue they’d jump at $35M AAV over 6 or 7 years so why not give him the money over fewer seasons but not have an over paid veteran to play or bench or hamstring the budget, yet what’s an extra $5M a season shorter term?
This is gonna get crazy. It’s gonna lead to 2-3 year deals worth $50M AAV.
It’s an interesting move but I actually like it. The player maxes out yearly earnings and the club isn’t hamstrung with future high $ when a player begins to decline. If I’m a team wary of a long term commitment but feel the difference maker is 1 player I’d absolutely pay that player significantly above market. Shows your fans your going for it as well.
5 years though is not really short term. Why pay $210m for 5 years if you can pay $235 for 7 years. That is only $15m more but for two years more or 7.5m per the last two years. At that price you are not worried about a decline either.
I think if he wants $40m per that he may be looking at 3 years. Just my two cents.
Buster just made that up.
Buster does that all the time. Always has.
to be honest, why not go 5 years instead of 7? theoretically that last year’s value goes down as you add years, so your probably not losing that much by playing two less.
Because of the AAV hit for the team. A 4/190 hits a teams luxury tax significantly harder than a 7/220. If it’s a team who does not anticipate to be anywhere close to the lux tax number or has no issues paying it for that period of time then that’s a completely different story.
Sign Rendon to a 10 year $50 mil contract with the first year being $30 mil and an opt out after the first year. That way the annual salary doesn’t hurt the cap.
Yea but that $500 million guarantee that is probably $200 million over pay is just a plain stupid deal. Plus when he does NOT opt out you get $470 million divided by 9 or around $52.5 m per year on the next 9 years luxury tax and you also get fired. That is why.
I’m a Cardinals fan, but not a fan of John Mozeliak!!! He built this offense for a possible Wild Card to save his job and his butt from the fans!!!! He did nothing to help the team at the deadline. Atlanta’s pitching was very suspect!! But….I feel feel absolutely embarrassed how the Cardinals hitters are giving everyone of Washington’s pitcher’s a solid shot at a no hitter or a perfect game!!! Hard for a Cardinal Fan to watch!!! Mo needs to go!!! Cardinals are a final 4 disgrace!!! Atlanta would have given Washington a much more competitive series!!!!
Hard to argue with that Uncle Mike. It must seem like a slow death. It is hard to explain. We have all seen bats go cold in October before but you are right this is unreal.
The Phillies stealing Harper AND Rendon from the Nats would be the most beautiful F U in human history!!! LOL