I don’t expect it, either, but at the same time, how many people predicted Correa to the Twins?
Not a similar situation in that Correa’s team essentially didn’t want him back at a FA salary with Pena waiting. Cano to the Mariners is a better example.
My point was only that predicting FA destinations isn’t always so obvious, not that there are necessarily any similarities beyond “they’re both free agents.”
I agree, but I wonder why that is?
Have the yankees even had a big free agent to re-sign since Cano left? Arguably Chapman I guess, though technically he wasn't a re-sign
Stats seldom return to their teams once they hit free agency, though. Judge seems different in that the Yankees are rarely outbid.
Right, who was the last Big Star to actually reach free agency and then re-sign with their most-recent team? Stephen Strasburg is the most recent one I can think of but there are surely others I am not thinking of.
Didn’t Tanaka go back to Japan while he was still good? I recall people being surprised by that one.
People who weren't paying attention maybe, NY didn't really want him back and he didn't want to play anywhere else in MLB.
They have to deal with all of DeGrom, Diaz and Nimmo, all of whom they want back. Are they going to do all that and also go into the 8/320 range or even higher for Judge? Rumors are no but we'll see.
I think they will go up $100M or so in the end, from 7/217 to 8/320, or maybe 10/350 if Judge prefers that. Cashman won't be happy about this but Judge is the very rare player that NY needs more (way more) than he needs them.
Players that choose not to sign prior to reaching free agency tend to be either players looking for max money or players who their team has little interest in bringing back (at max money anyway). If there is a true match of player wanting to stay and the team is willing to pay asking price, those deals come together before the player hits free agency. I think that's why there's a tendency for big ticket free agents to change teams rather than re-sign.
I dunno, California? He grew up in a tiny town just east the Port of Stockton as a Giants fan.
Not sure that the Phillies is the best example for team construction with the #4 payroll and #12 record (yes, Sox are no bargain either). Just because one team undervalues defense doesn't mean that the baseball itself does. Phillies have the #7 FIP and the #19 ERA.
I don’t know if you’re an Athletic subscriber, but there’s an interesting piece today on how next year’s proposed new rules would affect individual players, and whether and which hitters would benefit from a banned shift.
The unique-wonder of New York is one of those uniquely American myths that people like to perpetuate. It certainly has some high points and key institutions, but those are pretty much available for visiting without the most-of-the-year-burden of being within commuting distance of the Toilet. And if you're adding in sticking around during the winter off-season because you've got kids and want them to have some stability. . .yeah, I think not.
Interesting reply, but it really has nothing to do with my post. New York is the king of American cities. It just...is. I know that's not going to be a convincing reply to you, but that doesn't change the reality.
LA? The Dodgers? Better weather. And he’s from California. Maybe San Francisco.
It isn't what it used to be. People outside of NY don't grow up wanting to play with NY anymore. In basketball, they may as well just be another cold weather city.
Man, you must have a lot of athlete friends who you talk to. Jealous.
I didn't say it was a dump. It's just another city nowadays. The world is smaller.
When was the last time the Knicks were a draw for premium FA talent? Jalen Brunson baby.
He grew up near Stockton, CA, was a huge Giants fan and Bonds was his idol and it’s just as grandiose but much better a park as the toilet.
NBA players like to play where they can win. And since everyone a hair to the right of the bell curve has his salary dictated by CBA, that means one of two places: 1. Where other good players already are or are going, or 2. Some place that has a recent history of winning. Neither of those applies to any NYC teams. New Yorkers are the only people who think that New York is an NBA draw.
No, you said "people outside of NY don't grow up wanting to play in NY anymore." Which is complete conjecture on your part, unless you know a bunch of athletes personally. Maybe they don't. Maybe they do.
In the 90's, all I heard from the media every single day was how every single FA wanted to play in NY. Those stories do not exist anymore. If you want to call that conjecture, that's fine. But growing up in the 90s, every FA in baseball wanted to be a Yankee. Or at least that's what the media told us. They don't tell us that anymore.
I dislike NYC intensely, but only because I've lived there. When I moved to Cambridge, MA, I could breathe again. I can't see Judge coming to Boston, however. No way. But to the Giants or the Dodgers? Way.
I can't see Judge coming to Boston but that's because Boston won't be close to the top offer. Do you think there's another reason he wouldn't sign here?
I am a lifelong New Yorker but won’t defend the current version that much, but come on, you can’t have this discussion and ignore Kevin Durant.
Fair enough. I was tunneling in on the Knicks. The Nets are a FA destination spot.
The Nets were an FA destination when they had a crapload of cap space and Kyrie/KD wanted to play together. Sure there were a couple of other cities that had cap space too, but I'm not sure that "we're more attractive than OKC" is the crown that we're talking about here.
Did they choose NY or choose the highest bidder, which happened to be NY?
Did they prefer NY over other destinations or did money do the talking?
Everyone wanted to play for the Nets when Jay Z was involved, too. In the NBA, it's really about cap space and being able to form a team of super friends.
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