BIDDING WAR
Any discussion of a freeagent bidding war must begin with the Yankees, who over the years have reeled in far more expensive free agents than any other team. This year they have very carefully kept their payroll under the luxury tax threshold so that any excesses next year will be taxed at a 20 percent rate rather than at 50 percent. If they sign either Harper or Machado — and I would certainly expect them to go after them — they will certainly escalate their payroll into luxury tax territory.
Recently the Dodgers have tried to emulate the Yankees and they, too, made certain that this year’s payroll does not exceed the luxury tax limit. They’re certainly going to go after these players and in the case of Machado they have a decided advantage. He already plays for them and any negotiations would not be tampering.
Both the Yankees and Dodgers have enormous fan bases and lucrative television contracts. It would seem unlikely that anyone will outbid them. And yet…
The Phillies might be in a position to go toeto-toe with these richer teams. They’ve been taking in money from a big TV deal for several years while maintaining a relatively small payroll. They probably have enough money socked away to be very serious players in the Harper or Machado sweepstakes.
The Angels are the “second” team in the Los Angeles market and certainly can’t match the Dodgers when it comes to baseball income, but they are a subsidiary of Walt Disney, which potentially gives them very deep pockets. Superstar Mike Trout is under contract to the Angels only two more years, so they are probably willing to spend whatever they think it will take to put a winner on the field at least one of those two years. They opened the vault for Shohei Ohtani and that wasn’t enough. So, they likely will be willing to spend even more this time around.
Chicago is another huge market and the Cubs rake in money from television. In the case of Harper they might have an enticement none of the other contenders can match. Harper and Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant were boyhood pals in Las Vegas and teammates in youth baseball. Harper might be enticed to rejoin his buddy and play in the Windy City.
By my count that’s five suitors that will be vying for two superstars.
That could make for the hottest hot stove league in history.
Run Differential: Team Batting Average: On Base Percentage: Average: Runs: allowed:
Team highs and Red Sox plus lows –
220, Orioles minus 257;
Red Sox .267, Padres .235;
Red Sox .336, Padres and Orioles .297; Astros 3.11, Orioles 5.19;
Astros .217, Orioles .279; Yankees 242, Tigers 128; Diamondbacks 46, Cardinals 9; Red Sox 324, Orioles 220; 912, Blue Jays 733; Cardinals 134, Reds and Orioles 217; Nationals 58, Cardinals 116; Twins 84, Astros
Angels 163,
ERA: Opponents’ Batting Home Triples: Doubles: Singles: Homers Allowed:
127;
Marlins .571, Mets .809; Reds 48, Blue Jays 5; Yankees 55, White Sox 29. Reds
Errors: Double Plays Grounded Into: Double Plays Executed: Wild Pitches/Passed Balls: Unearned runs Walks: Walks Issued: Strike
147;
Yankees 88;
Mets 30, Angels 100;
Astros 29, White Sox 74; Dodgers 605, Orioles 392; Mariners 373; White Sox 597; Indians 1096; White Sox 1458; Astros 1580; Rangers Indians 123, Athletics Indians
Outs: Strike Outs By: Stolen Bases: Stolen Base Percentage: Opponents’ Stolen
1053; 34;
.799; Marlins .606;
Cardinals 43, Mets and White Sox
Bases: Opponent Stolen Base Percentage: Sacrifice Bunts: Sacrifice Flies:
Hall of Fame voter Jay Dunn has written baseball for The Trentonian for 50 years. Contact him at jaydunn8@aol.com