MLB Offseason 2014-15: Wait, pitchers and catchers report WHEN?

The pitching and farm system are particularly dire, and the offense is pretty much the textbook definition of league-average. They still have a lot of work to do in order to fix the scorched earth that Bill Smith left behind.

In other news that should surprise no one, Pablo Sandoval has been given the qualifying offer. In news that should surprise everyone, Michael God Damn Cuddyer was given a QO by the Rockies. For those keeping score at home, if he accepts that would be the highest salary of his career by 50 percent. At age 35.

Holy shit, Rockies.

 

The Mets are giving up the 15th overall pick in exchange for two years of 35-year-old Michael Cuddyer, who was already injured for most of last season.

What in the actual fuck?

 

All outstanding QOs were turned down, meaning that players like Lester and Russell Martin have draft-pick compensation attached to them.

 

Compensation is still attached, it just becomes a second-round pick.

 

Rosenthal is saying that the Mike Ilitch Money Cannon has found its first target and the Tigers are closing in on a four-year deal with Victor Martinez.

That's going to be at least two years too many.

 

There's word that Stanton's negotiations with the Marlins have hit the 13 / 320 mark. (With a no-trade and an opt-out.)

Um.

What.

Congratulations to Trout on his eventual 10 / 450 contract, I guess.

 

In all likelihood, it's really a four- or five-year deal, given that it's reported there's an opt-out clause and I would expect it to come up around that time. That way, Stanton gets to get another monster contract while he's still in something resembling his prime (and he gets to bail if Loria goes back to playing his bullshit games, which isn't so much of an if as a when). The no-trade also gives him a lot of leverage.

Now, of course, taken on its face the contract is absolutely fucking bananas. I'm generally opposed to signing any player, position or otherwise, longer than five years, given that you have no idea if this stud you just locked up suddenly develops the yips / has a devastating injury / gets mauled by wildebeests, but I understand that you have to accept the possibility of having to deal with a few down years at the end of a deal as part of the cost of doing business. That being said, Jesus. Pujols is a Hall of Famer, but you can't tell me that the Angels don't regret having to pay him for seven more years at the money he signed for. No one needs to hand out a 12-year contract, not even if Willie Mays were playing today and in his prime.

Man, there needs to be a market correction on these deals before the owners decide to take it out on the players in the next round of labor negotiations.