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Could Manny Machado or Bryce Harper sit out?


Pitchers and catchers report this week, and the two biggest free agents still remain unsigned along with about 100 other free agents. Is there any chance some of these free agents sit out the season?

No one really thought that Le'Veon Bell would sit out this past football season when he did not want to sign his franchise tender of around $15 million, but he did. He had played the previous season under the franchise tag and earned a healthy $12+ million. The $15 million he would have played for in 2018 would be near the highest amount ever payed to someone at his position. Todd Gurley signed the largest deal ever for a RB and it only guarantees $45 million over 4 years. So, realistically Bell sat out for about $30 million, all while leaving nearly $15 million on the table. Could this happen with Harper or Machado?

Harper was rumored to be looking for $400 million lat season. The highest offer we have heard so far is $300 by the Nats last year and that offer was taken off the table. Machado's offers aren't even that high according to most reports. So, is it possible one or both could sit out?

We are comparing apples and oranges with the NFL and MLB, but no one actually thought Bell would sit out because of the limited shelf life for RB's and $15 mil would never come back. Harper and Machado are both only 26 years old. They are looking at possibly 12 more years of production. They are both approaching their prime, meaning the best should be yet to come. Could they sit out a full year waiting for someone to hit the number they are looking for? Maybe they just sit out the first half and wait for the first big expectation team become desperate for a bat during the season they give into the contract demands to fill an immediate hole.

Now that spring training is here, these are actual possibilities unfolding before our eyes. Either way, this is not good for baseball. Two of the biggest names trying to hold the league hostage. We are almost definitely looking at a work stoppage when the collective bargaining agreement is up in 2021. And if there is a stoppage, it will most likely be a long one, because the luxury tax, amount of time teams have control over players, and the perception of baseball financially thriving while losing fans to other sports are serious long term issues that need to be ironed out.

The CBA ends after the 2021 season, so any contract would most likely have an option after 3 years. It makes sense that either player could easily get a three year deal around $40 mil per with player options for up to three more years. Anything longer than that makes no sense for the team. So does that mean $45 or $50 mil per for three years with a three year option would work?

I just want this all to be over with. Get these guys signed, (I am hoping for Harper with the Yankees -but not for 10 years) and let's play ball. If either of these guys would sign a deal for three years or less, I would sign both at 40-50 mill per if it took that. But only for three years. Anything longer and the per year numbers plummet.

Ten years $300 million? Only if it is front loaded. 45,45,45,45,35,20,20,20,15,10 a break down like that would work. Prime years are paid at prime dollars. If the player does not like the smaller numbers on the back end of the deal, sign a shorter contract,...gamble on yourself. Even after the first 4 years at $45 million, the player makes $120 over six years at 30 years old. Teams could stagger these contracts with players. Judge is under team control till 2022, so he will not be a free agent until he is 30, which is AFTER the first four big years on this 10 year deal.

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