Max Kepler to the Phillies

[Cory Engelhardt]

I don’t know if this should be in another thread. If so I apologize. But Max Kepler, long time Twin, is signing a 1 year deal for 10 million. Best of luck to Max 

[tony&rodney]

Max Kepler is gone, to the East Coast. I thought he might wind up on the West Coast. I wish Max all the best.

Guessing that the $10 million was higher than most people thought was possible. Good for Kep.

[FlyingFinn]

Wow, to think there was a debate this year whether or not he would get a $50 million contract.

[Danchat]

I thought he'd get a bit more, something like 2/$24M. It's reminiscent of Eddie Rosario getting 1/$8M when he hit the open market.

[LewFordLives]

Yeah, I thought he would get more. Maybe he's thinking he can showcase himself on a big market playoff team like the Phillies and then get a bigger deal next year.

[Doctor Gast]

I'm a Kepler fan but I think it's strange that Kepler's last offseason was coming off a good season with a $10M price tag. With many teams that could have use his services including the Phillies. Falvey was crying that his hands were tied because of the budget. IMO it'd have been easy to unload his salary so why didn't they?

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

I'm a Kepler fan but I think it's strange that Kepler's last offseason was coming off a good season with a $10M price tag. With many teams that could have use his services including the Phillies. Falvey was crying that his hands were tied because of the budget. IMO it'd have been easy to unload his salary so why didn't they?

I too was much more interested in keeping the more consistent Jorge Polanco and trading the wildly inconsistent Max Kepler last year.

As it turned out, moving both was the right answer.

[Mike Sixel]

More than I'd pay him, but I doubt Philly has budget issues at all, so they can. 

If he's healthy, it is likely a good deal, but when was he last healthy for a season?

I was hoping they'd deal him last off season, but they did not. 

[Linus]

On 12/20/2024 at 8:42 AM, Doctor Gast said:

I'm a Kepler fan but I think it's strange that Kepler's last offseason was coming off a good season with a $10M price tag. With many teams that could have use his services including the Phillies. Falvey was crying that his hands were tied because of the budget. IMO it'd have been easy to unload his salary so why didn't they?

Because at $10 million there is no surplus value. So you would have to give him away and still go find a right fielder. If nothing else this is a good reminder that the other 29 GMs aren’t stupid.