Jack Flaherty RHP who many analysts and fans thought would make a nice addition to the Giants starting rotation signed with the Tigers, the team he started the 2024 season with, for 2 years/$35 M. The contract is heavily frontloaded with $25 M coming in 2025 and just $10 M guaranteed for 2026. It does contain and opt-out after the first season and the 2026 salary escalates to $20 M if he makes at least 15 starts in 2025.
Because of the way the contract is frontloaded, it is a little less onerous than most opt-out contracts. Best case scenario for the Tigers is he pitches like an ace again, and it ends up being a 1 years contract for $25 M or they could even trade him at the deadline again and get even more young talent in return. Worst case scenario is he is a complete bust and/or gets hurt and he comes back for $10 M next season. Not so great would be if he pitches exactly 15 games and they have to pay $20 M in 2026 for a player you would not ordinarily offer that much for.
You may be thinking that in spite of the opt-out, this isn't such a terrible deal from a team perspective and why didn't the Giants sign him. Well, a week ago Flaherty was on a podcast where he said he loved pitching for the Tigers, didn't want to be traded at the deadline and would love to go back so most likely he would not have take this deal from the Giants even if Buster Posey relented on his reported vow to just say no to opt-outs.
The contract layout is strange. He is very injury prone so $25 million for the first year is a lot and then you risk him opting-in for the second year. I think it will be better for the Giants to roll with the young pitching.
ReplyDeleteGood for him, returning to his original organization … with his injury history, I’d rather see some of the Giants’ younger arms get enough innings to see how much they can learn and grow …
ReplyDeleteIs SF signing Bregman completely absurd?
ReplyDeleteNot absurd at all but it's not a great fit for multiple reasons, especially if you subscribe to the theory, which I don't, that Buster is keeping his powder dry for a run at Kyle Tucker next year.
DeleteIn the short term, a long term deal would put the Giants over the CBT threshold for the second year in a row and tie up too much payroll for too long. A short term deal would likely be for a higher AAV and would almost certainly require an opt out, and we've already run that discussion into the ground.
DeleteMaybe the Dodgers might make a run at Tucker. The Top Three are not getting any younger.
DeleteGiants would have to unload some salary (which wouldn't be easy) but imagine the infield: up the middle is strong, the left side would always be incredible even on days off, SF would have the missing power bat — if the Giants are going to compete, they are going to have to spend. They need 9 more wins — they won't get them by not spending!
DeleteIf building a roster consisted only of adding up published WAR values and paying the requisite price, we could all be GM's and maybe we could. I am looking for something more out of a GM. Someone who can see potential beyond a WAR projection and give that player an opportunity or make that daring trade. IDK if Buster is that guy but I'm giving him some room to find out.
DeleteThe baseball decisions are now made by committee, not just by Buster. Buster may have the final say but I'm sure that things are going through Minasian-Shelley-Barry-Evans-Winn-Haines-Holmes and it depends what kind of player. If the player is being acquired through contract, Barry might have the biggest say. If by waiver pickup, the guy most familiar with waiver rules is Shelley. Evans has the GM and international experience and Minasian and Winn are more valuable with organizational minor leaguers and Haines with other organizations. Its not just about adding up the WAR.
DeleteMy guess is Minasian has the green light on these minor league deals. Buster may get text message but I doubt he is the primary decisionmaker on that level. A major trade? Yes, Buster would be more involved in the discussions if not necessarily the person talking to the other GM. $multimillion FA signings? Absolutely Buster seems to be the lead guy.
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