Qualifying Offers

[Bronx Yankees]

Interesting to see Colby Rasmus accept his qualifying offer from the Astros. $15.8 million for one season is not a bad take on his part. Rasmus became the first player to accept his qualifying offer.

I kind of think this whole qualifying offer business is rather silly. Over the last few years, teams gave qualifying offers to players that (a) did not deserve to make that much in a single year and/or (b) they did not want to retain anyway. The only reason they gave the qualifying offers was because they wanted the high draft pick in return. For their part, many players turned down the qualifying offer even though it represented a great one-year payday in the hope that they could get multi-year deals, even at less average annual salaries. Of course, some of them found out to their detriment that not all teams would throw big free agent money at them, especially if it meant losing a high draft pick. Consequently, we saw some guys remain unsigned right up until Spring Training, or even into the season, because they were not satisfied with the qualifying offer and other teams were not willing to pay up for those players and lose draft picks. Not a great system, and one that I suspect the players will fight to change in the next collective bargaining agreement.

Against this backdrop, I found it refreshing that Rasmus said, "OK, you want to pay me $15.8 million for one season? Where do I sign?" I wonder if the Astros really foresaw this possibility or just assumed that Rasmus would turn down the qualifying offer like all players before him. Now, because they gambled for a draft pick, they are stuck with a big overpay that may (or may not) impact their flexibility during free agency.

Saw a blurb that Wieters may consider signing his qualifying offer as well. Wieters easily can get a multi-year contract, but after having portions of two seasons ruined due to Tommy John surgery, you also can understand the strategy of taking $15.8 million for 2016, putting up good numbers for a season, and then hitting free agency with a much higher value.

If Wieters does sign the qualifying offer, it will be interesting to see if the Orioles are willing to pay him that or if they try to trade him. Same goes for the Astros and Rasmus. I'm sure these players would prefer the security of a multi-year agreement, but $15.8 million for one year is not bad for a streaky, mediocre OF like Rasmus and a C coming off a major injury like Wieters.

Mike

[Doctor Who]

Mike, I don't think they can trade them until June according to the rules of MLB. While I like Rasmus, to me he is a platoon guy not worth 15 million, and was shocked that the Astros offered it to him. From what I've heard is the Astros actually hoped that he would accept because he is a huge clubhouse guy in Club Astros, and it gives them one more year for their outfielders to develop in their system so they don't have to overpay another guy on a multi-year deal.

[Bronx Yankees]

Interesting. Thanks. I did not know that when players sign a qualifying offer, the team cannot trade them until June. Looks like the Astros and Orioles will being paying Rasmus and Wieters for at least half of the season in that case. I also did not realize that the Astros would want Rasmus to sign his offer. There is no way that Rasmus is worth $15.8 million, but I guess if they really wanted him in 2016, but not beyond next season, then I guess things did not work out too badly for them. Like Daniel Murphy, his value probably went up at least a little as a result of a strong playoff performance.

Mike

[DOUGHBOYS]

You know, writers and announcers, and reporters, and Mets fans say that Murphy is worth more because of his post-season.
I don't see it.
Every player gets hot over a two-three week window. Sure, Murphy's streak was on a National stage.
But GM's know that Murphy, no matter the hot streak in the past, is still, Murphy.
It can't even be said that he was especially great under pressure. Just watch his glove work in some of those games.
I can't see his post-season making him a cent more.
But, it sure has been said by a lot of people that it will!

[Bronx Yankees]

You know, writers and announcers, and reporters, and Mets fans say that Murphy is worth more because of his post-season.
I don't see it.
Every player gets hot over a two-three week window. Sure, Murphy's streak was on a National stage.
But GM's know that Murphy, no matter the hot streak in the past, is still, Murphy.
It can't even be said that he was especially great under pressure. Just watch his glove work in some of those games.
I can't see his post-season making him a cent more.
But, it sure has been said by a lot of people that it will!

Not sure I agree, but we'll see. I do agree that Murphy is Murphy, and in projecting how he will perform next season, I will be relying on his past 3-4 seasons, not two incredible weeks in October. That being said, it would not surprise me if there are some teams to whom Murphy seems more appealing now than he did in September. They see what he can do, at his apex, and the thought that he could recapture that level of performance in their team's uniform might drive his price up some. Rumor has it "your" Rockies are evaluating Murphy as a 1B. Usually, teams like a little more power out of their 1Bs, and they certainly are not attracted by his defense. Wonder if the Rockies are thinking that if Murphy can do that in New York, maybe he'll hit 25-30 homers (or more) in Coors? Or, is it because he is a "play-off hero" that teams might think his acquisition will be more appealing to their fan bases?

There's no way to know whether whatever deal Murphy winds up signing is for more money than what he would have gotten absent his torrid October (until the World Series). You and I, and the Mets, know that Murphy is Murphy. I'm just not as confident (or pessimistic) as you that no other team will pay more for him based on what they saw this play-offs.

Mike

[DOUGHBOYS]

If the Rockies sign ANYBODY making Murphy-type money this year, it'll be a surprise to me.
This organization has done little in the way of signing free agents over the last three or four years.
Even a less than high priced player like Murphy.
They have signed Cuddyer, Morneau, and Hundley and Kyle Kendrick.
They are still of the opinion that locker room character is as important as on field talent.
Noble, but not visible in the standings.
Murphy fits that mode.
But paying for him, even with Cuddyer and Morneau and Tulo off the books is not foreseen.
I draw a paycheck from the organization, so I am limited as to what I can say about them on Message Boards.

[Rog]

If the Rockies sign anybody it needs to be Chris Young/raburn /j gomes or Scott Van Slyke
How about anybody that can hit left handed pitching with power?