Bryce Harper and Manny Machado

[gunnarthor]

Harper is on pace for 1 bWAR this year. (WAR doesn't like his defense). Going into the season, he and Machado were going to be the darlings of this huge free agency class. Machado is on pace for 3-4 WAR this season. (WAR doesn't like his defense either).

 

I still think they both get paid a ton and Harper ends up in NY but I'm not sure either of them tops Stanton's contract, although it'll be close. 

[Vanimal46]

After the Yanks acquired Stanton I don't see the fit in NY anymore for Harper. I think Philly or Atlanta gives him a long term deal.

 

Machado is playing out of position this year (SS) so it makes sense that B-Ref/FG doesn't like his defense.

 

The Ringer wrote an article a few days ago about this FA class. It's no longer looking like a mega class like it did last year.

 

 

https://www.theringer.com/mlb/2018/6/29/17517624/mlb-2018-free-agent-class-bryce-harper-clayton-kershaw-manny-machado

[jimmer]

Machado already has 3 fWAR. He'll end up with over 6 fWAR.

 

If I was a team trying to sign him, I'd push for him to switch back to 3B, where he was an elite defender.

[gunnarthor]

 

After the Yanks acquired Stanton I don't see the fit in NY anymore for Harper. I think Philly or Atlanta gives him a long term deal.

 

Apparently, Harper has said he is open to playing first base. I read that as a message to the Yankees. I still think it happens. He's (arguably) the biggest name in baseball. The Yankees have nothing at first base. His LH swing is made for that park. His bat in that lineup would be incredible. If George was still running the Yankees, I think it'd be a lock. 

[Mike Sixel]

Harper will get around 25-27 per year, Machado around 33-35. I'd rather have Machado at this point.

[Squirrel]

Machado already has 3 fWAR. He'll end up with over 6 fWAR.

 

If I was a team trying to sign him, I'd push for him to switch back to 3B, where he was an elite defender.

That’s where I hope the Twins put him when they sign him.

[Mike Sixel]

 

That’s where I hope the Twins put him when they sign him.

 

that would change my outlook on trading Gibson.....but of course, they can't know they'll win the Machado bidding in a week or two.....so, ya, good luck to them.

[Squirrel]

Apparently, Harper has said he is open to playing first base. I read that as a message to the Yankees. I still think it happens. He's (arguably) the biggest name in baseball. The Yankees have nothing at first base. His LH swing is made for that park. His bat in that lineup would be incredible. If George was still running the Yankees, I think it'd be a lock.

 

Could/would the Yanks go after BOTH?

[Squirrel]

that would change my outlook on trading Gibson.....but of course, they can't know they'll win the Machado bidding in a week or two.....so, ya, good luck to them.

The way the Twins have played this year, there’s no way Machado signs here even if we did offer the most money. Contrary to popular belief, I think players do consider more than just the money.

[Squirrel]

that would change my outlook on trading Gibson.....but of course, they can't know they'll win the Machado bidding in a week or two.....so, ya, good luck to them.

More on that, and this takes it off topic, I think the Twins are 2-3 pieces away from contending. It’s just that those pieces are big pieces and costly pieces, i.e. Machado AND Realmuto.

[gunnarthor]

 

Could/would the Yanks go after BOTH?

Machado isn't a great fit for them. THey have Miguel Andujar, a pretty good looking rookie playing third. If they have Stanton and Harper and have to pay Judge down the line and/or some front line starters, they'd probably be better off using that money to upgrade other positions.

[TheLeviathan]

I would rather have Harper.  I think you have a far better shot at getting high level production from him for the duration of a ten year deal.

 

And I love his personality.

[Squirrel]

I would rather have Harper.  I think you have a far better shot at getting high level production from him for the duration of a ten year deal.

 

And I love his personality.

Ive always liked Machado’s much better. To each his/her own.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Ive always liked Machado’s much better. To each his/her own.

 

I love him as a player, but too many whiny unwritten rules issues for me.

[gunnarthor]

 

I love him as a player, but too many whiny unwritten rules issues for me.

Doesn't he break the unwritten rules? 

 

Obviously the Twins won't get either but Machado seems like the perfect fit for this Twins team. Moves Sano to first and another strong RH bat for Target Field. But I think he gets something very close to 10yr/310m and that won't be from the Pohlad family.

[TheLeviathan]

Machadi does fit better, but if we are all in a pipedream I'd rather have Harper. 

[jimmer]

 

More on that, and this takes it off topic, I think the Twins are 2-3 pieces away from contending. It’s just that those pieces are big pieces and costly pieces, i.e. Machado AND Realmuto.

yeah, I think we're farther than that.

[Squirrel]

Machadi does fit better, but if we are all in a pipedream I'd rather have Harper.

That’s fine. But my pipe dream is better!

[KirbyDome89]

 

Doesn't he break the unwritten rules? 

 

Obviously the Twins won't get either but Machado seems like the perfect fit for this Twins team. Moves Sano to first and another strong RH bat for Target Field. But I think he gets something very close to 10yr/310m and that won't be from the Pohlad family.

Wait, all that payroll "flexibility," the Twins have next year won't be bringing back elite talent? 

[Mike Sixel]

 

Wait, all that payroll "flexibility," the Twins have next year won't be bringing back elite talent? 

 

that extra 7.5MM from the Hughes trade of a draft pick will be pocketed. zero doubt.

[ashbury]

Machadi does fit better

If that's the plural of Machado, then yes please, I'll take two!

[ChrisKnutson]

If we somehow manage to convince Manny to come to MN, and Sano moves to 1st, where does that leave Brent Rooker? He’s in AA right now, and is a good shot of being a Sept call up and next year’s starting 1st baseman.

 

Hopefully this means a Sano for Realmuto deal is still possible. Although probably not.

[Danchat]

 

that extra 7.5MM from the Hughes trade of a draft pick will be pocketed. zero doubt.

Eh, I think there's a good chance it will be used for the Twins payroll. Especially if they are going to slash payroll by $25M like some have claimed on another thread, they're going to need that money.

[Mike Sixel]

Eh, I think there's a good chance it will be used for the Twins payroll. Especially if they are going to slash payroll by $25M like some have claimed on another thread, they're going to need that money.

Slashing payroll is pocketing the money.... They won't lose money next year if the payroll is the same, they'll just make less. That was exactly my point. Payroll is going to drop, a lot, I'd guess.

[Vanimal46]

Per Bob Nightengale, Machado is on his way to the Dodgers tomorrow.

[TheLeviathan]

Meanwhile people think Harper is a cheater and an awful person for having a kick-ass HR Derby.

 

The hell baseball fans?

[Blake]

 

Per Bob Nightengale, Machado is on his way to the Dodgers tomorrow.

Well, shoot, there goes my fantasy of Red Sox fans melting down when Machado and Harper wind up in New York.

[Vanimal46]

Well, shoot, there goes my fantasy of Red Sox fans melting down when Machado and Harper wind up in New York.

I was rooting for Milwaukee to get Machado... Oh well. The rich get richer

[tvagle]

Here's hoping Forsythe is included in the package for Machado...only increases the chance of Doze to the Dodgers Part Dos

[Otto von Ballpark]

Here's hoping Forsythe is included in the package for Machado...only increases the chance of Doze to the Dodgers Part Dos

Nah, Forsythe would only be included to balance out the cash a bit (luxury tax purposes?). The Dodgers don't need to add 2 infielders, they already have Taylor, Turner, and breakout Muncy.