MLB Weekly Digest March 4th Edition

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The prior week in MLB was about a marquee player signing an enormous deal, a third baseman signs a new contract, a manager receives an extension and a starting pitcher inks a multi-year extension.

We got him. pic.twitter.com/VdoH54Hg5F

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 2, 2019

❤ pic.twitter.com/4lPdrshp7y

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 2, 2019

pic.twitter.com/xjzNKKDTqF

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 2, 2019

I’m official! The new @phillies cover will be on shelves for @mlbtheshow launch day on 3/26. https://t.co/NyheFe903m #Playstationambassador pic.twitter.com/ADZzlD742I

— Bryce Harper (@Bharper3407) March 2, 2019

Bryce Harper Signs Massive 13-Year Contract with Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies signed outfielder Bryce Harper to a 13-year, $330 million contract and the deal will include no opt-outs, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Bryce Harper’s deal with the Phillies will be for 13 years and $330M, league sources tell ESPN. It will not include any opt-outs.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 28, 2019

The deal has a no-trade clause as well, per Passan.

Bryce Harper’s deal with the Philadelphia Phillies includes a no-trade clause, league sources tell ESPN. Combine that with the 13-year, $330 million term, and this much is clear: Bryce Harper is committed to being a Philadelphia Phillie for the rest of his career.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 28, 2019

The contract for Harper carries an average annual value of $25.4 million, the 14^th highest in major-league history, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

The 13-year, $330M deal for Harper will include an average annual value of $25.4M – the 14th-highest in major-league history. With no opt-outs, per @JeffPassan and others, massive commitment by #Phillies.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 28, 2019

It’s been a long offseason and finally, the marquee player who was available has a new team.

Harper did struggle last season with the Washington Nationals but still had decent numbers.

He compiled a .249 batting average and .889 OPS in 159 games with 34 doubles, 103 runs scored, 34 home runs, 100 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.

One of the first things which stand out about the deal is the length of 13 years. This is a long commitment to one player, and they usually don’t work out.

However, one positive aspect for Harper is he’s still young as he will enter the upcoming season at 26-years old.

The Phillies will have Harper for eight stellar seasons and five average seasons.

The team has signed a premium talent in Harper as he’s a great player, who’s accomplished plenty on the baseball diamond.

Since entering @MLB in 2012, @Bharper3407 has had 7 seasons of .340 OBP+.

Only Mel Ott, Jimmie Foxx and John McGraw (8 seasons) have more through age 25. All 3 players are in the @baseballhall. pic.twitter.com/6pkPnJ6dja

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) March 2, 2019

.@Bharper3407 loves hitting in Philly.

He has the highest SLG (.564) in the history of Citizens Bank Park (min. 200 PA). pic.twitter.com/YYtEr4Q2Y0

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) March 2, 2019

.@Bharper3407 has been one of the best since he entered The Show. pic.twitter.com/2ZT1xzwBF7

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) February 28, 2019

The other part about the deal is the $330 million, which is the most given to any player in MLB history.

However, the amount isn’t too bad when it’s stretched out for 13 years. This was important for the Phillies as the length brings down the average annual value.

The team has the flexibility to address a need in the future since Harper is making a little over $25 million per year.

The Phillies weren’t the only team trying to sign Harper as the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers made competitive offers.

The Giants had a 12-year, $310 million offer on the table and were willing to go higher but would have had to increase their offer way over $330 million due to California taxes, per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports.

I’m told Giants made a 12-year, $310 million offer to Bryce Harper. They were willing to go higher but would have had to go well over $330 million to get it done because of California taxes.

— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) February 28, 2019

The Dodgers were willing to offer Harper a four-year deal with an average annual value of $45 million per year, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

In Bryce Harper talks, I am told #Dodgers were willing to offer a four-year deal worth approximately $45 million per season. That would have allowed Harper to shatter the all-time AAV record and become a free agent at age 30. @MLB @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 28, 2019

Harper’s previous club the Nationals had offered him a 10-year, $300 million deal, but it wasn’t worth that much. The contract would have deferred about $100 million, and Harper would be receiving payments until he was 60, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Nats’ original offer of 300M for 10 years wasn’t really worth 300M. It was worth a lot less. About 100M was deferred, some until Bryce was about 60. Not a serious offer but a nice AARP payday. #AARP

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 28, 2019

Harper chose the team which gave him the most guaranteed money, and he’s fully committed to the Phillies.

The reason for the contract not including an opt-out clause was Harper’s choice, per Morosi.

Bryce Harper does not have an opt-out — and one source confirms that was Harper’s choice. @MLB @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 28, 2019

The signing of Harper caps off a tremendous offseason by the Phillies, per Kyle Glaser of Baseball America.

Phillies offseason

Trade For Jean Segura
Sign Andrew McCutchen
Sign David Robertson
Trade for J.T. Realmuto
Extend Aaron Nola
Sign Bryce Harper

— Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) February 28, 2019

The goal for Harper this offseason was to sign the most significant contract in MLB history, and the next step is bringing a World Series title to the city of Philadelphia.

Colorado Rockies Sign Third Baseman Nolan Arenado to Eight-Year Contract

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado isn’t going anywhere for the foreseeable future.

Arenado and the Rockies have agreed to an eight-year, $260 million contract. The deal includes an opt-out after three years and a full no-trade clause, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Arenado’s new eight-year, $260M contract with the #Rockies will include an opt-out after three years and full no-trade clause, sources say.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 26, 2019

The new contract will start with the 2019 season, replacing the $26 million deal which Arenado and the Rockies agreed upon to avoid arbitration and finishes following the 2026 season.

If Arenado doesn’t exercise his opt-out clause, he’ll become a free agent after his age-35 season.

Arenado will have an average annual value of $32.5 million with this contract.

He becomes the highest-paid position player in MLB history, surpassing Detroit Tigers Miguel Cabrera’s yearly average cost of $31 million, per Cot’s Contracts.

Arenado will be worth every penny of the new contract as he’s proven to be an elite third baseman over the past several seasons in the majors, per MLB Stats.

6 Gold Gloves.
4 Top-10 MVP finishes.
4x All-Star.#NolanBeingNolan pays off. pic.twitter.com/dB9MczHHfA

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) February 27, 2019

Nolan Arenado has 3 seasons with 350+ total bases.

George Brett, Chipper Jones, Adrián Beltré and Mike Schmidt have 3 COMBINED. pic.twitter.com/jpKIxp6M7z

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) February 27, 2019

Nolan Arenado’s SIX straight Gold Gloves to begin his career is the longest streak by an infielder in @MLB history. pic.twitter.com/NIWKRWQzoy

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) February 27, 2019

He’s coming off a stellar 2018 campaign as he posted a .297 batting average and .935 OPS in 156 games with 104 runs scored, 175 hits, 38 doubles, 110 RBIs and leading the National League with 38 home runs.

He was selected as an All-Star for the fourth consecutive year and finished third in the NL MVP voting.

He has led the NL in home runs in three of the last four seasons and three times within that period tallied at least 130 RBIs.

The third baseman is not only a terrific hitter but a premium defender at third base. He makes difficult plays look extremely easy and it’s not a surprise, he’s won the NL Gold Glove at third base in each of his first six seasons.

Arenado was set to become a free agent at the end of the 2019 season, but the Rockies did the smart thing and locked up their franchise player to a long-term deal.

If you compare Arenado’s deal to Manny Machado’s 10-year, $300 million contract from the San Diego Padres, the Rockies have him at a bargain.

The deal allows Arenado to become a free agent after three years, and it’s possible he will exercise the opportunity to enter free agency.

Arenado would be a free agent after the 2021 season, and this could benefit him greatly.

He’ll be a free agent possibly with a new collective bargaining agreement that helps the players and after both Mike Trout and Mookie Betts who have signed deals which will establish a new baseline for premier players.

The deal is great for the Rockies as they only have one other player in outfielder Charlie Blackmon signed beyond the 2021 season.

The rest of their talented players are in the early phase of beginning arbitration, so it was logical for them to break the bank for Arenado.

Colorado Rockies Extend Manager Bud Black Through 2022

The Colorado Rockies agreed to a three-year contract extension with manager Bud Black yesterday, per a club announcement.

The Colorado Rockies have agreed to terms with Manager Bud Black on a contract extension through the 2022 season. pic.twitter.com/1QWl9fhImI

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) February 25, 2019

Black has guided the Rockies to postseason appearances in each of the last two years, recording a 178-147 record within that time frame.

The Rockies have been a much better pitching team under Black.

They lowered their staff ERA from 4.91 in 2016 to 4.51 in 2017 and dropped it to 4.33 last year.

Black, a former pitcher in the majors, understands what it takes to become a successful pitcher and has shared his wisdom with the pitchers on their staff.

It’s not easy for a pitcher with half of your games during a season at Coors Field.

Black has done a tremendous job turning the Rockies around, and it’s great the club has rewarded him with a three-year extension.

St. Louis Cardinals Sign Starting Pitcher Miles Mikolas to Four-Year Extension

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed starting pitcher Miles Mikolas to a four-year, $68 million extension, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Mikolas extension is 68M over 4 years

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 26, 2019

The deal includes full no-trade protection but doesn’t contain any opt-outs or options, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

The Miles Mikolas extension with #STLCards includes full no-trade protection. It does not include any options or opt-outs in the 4-year deal. @MLBNetwork @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 26, 2019

The extension starts in 2020 and continues until 2023, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Mikolas four-year, $68M extension with #STLCards covers 2020-23. First reported: @JonHeyman and @dgoold.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 26, 2019

Mikolas spent 2015-17 pitching in Japan and returned to the majors with the Cardinals last year.

He was outstanding for the club in 2018 as he compiled a 2.83 ERA in 200 2/3 innings pitched with 146 strikeouts, 29 walks issued, 16 home runs surrendered, a 137 ERA+, a 3.28 FIP, a 1.07 WHIP and the led the NL in wins with 18.

The right-hander has been selected as the Cardinals’ Opening Day starter.

Mikolas was dominant last year, as it was unexpected for him to pitch that well for the Cardinals.

The extension is very team-friendly, and he would’ve been a free agent after the 2019 season.

It’s a solid deal for both parties a Mikolas receives financial security and the Cardinals sign a solid starting pitcher to a long-term deal.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a 29-year old New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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