Quote:
Originally Posted by cephasjames
Does he deserve to be the 6th highest paid shortstop based on AAV (which is more relevant than where he falls overall)? Yes, currently he does. He won't stay there forever because other SS will get signed to higher contracts than him in the future.
|
He has a career slash line of .261 / .303 / .464 and he's been the MLB average defensively over his career. In my opinion, the average MLB player should not account for a ~10% hit against the luxury tax threshold. Better shortstops have signed for less in recent years. Brandon Crawford signed a 2-yr / $32M deal this past offseason.For $4M less per, you get a player with a similar average, 5-times more walks, and much better play defensively. Looking back a few years (2019, I think?), Xander Bogaerts signed a deal worth $20M/year (after first year) over 7-years. Both players are an upgrade in my opinion.
As a front office, you have to look at signings holistically, especially with the coming offseason's free agent class of shortstops:
- Tim Anderson (club option will probably be exercised)
- Xander Bogaerts (will likely opt out)
- Carlos Correa (will likely opt out)
- Trea Turner
- Dansby Swanson
- Aledmys Diaz
- Jose Iglesias
I think all, but one of the list above are an upgrade over Baez. This is less about Baez and more about Detroit's abysmal front office.
Quote:
|
Of course, I use the word "deserve" sarcastically because I think that most of the people on that list you linked to don't "deserve" what they're getting paid.
|
I agree with you here, deserved is probably not the best word. Worth/Value may be better?
Quote:
|
I will agree that thus far he has not lived up to that contract. But neither did half (or more) of the Tigers' team. Time will tell if he improves and produces more of those 110+ OPS+ seasons or puts up better fielding numbers like he has in the past. Not that I'm apologist for the guy or anything. He was my least favorite choice out of all the SS available this past season.
|
In the 4 seasons he had an OPS+ over 110, he had some great hitters around him. I don't see that happening any time soon in Detroit unless Torkleson and others figure it out quickly. And Baez's approach at the plate this season has been atrocious. Granted, this could very well be a coaching issue as well.
With all the negativity I'm spewing, I want to throw something positive in there. Baez is an electric player and so much fun to watch in the field on non-routine plays. His ability to tag, use his cannon of an arm, etc. is always fun to see play-out. Honestly, I think he's going to flourish in the WBC next year. MLB is going to be the same ole story unfortunately I believe. Again, hope I'm wrong.