Philly just threw 3/$50 million at McCutchen.

And we know they want Machado more than Harper.

The dominos are falling in the Cardinals favor here and they're absolutely not going to engage. It will end up with Harper looking for a soft landing (he's going to opt out in 2021 anyway; he wants to see FA prior to age 30 and under the new CBA) so if things don't come together for him, he's going to take a short term, high AAV deal somewhere.

It'll probably end up Chicago because our ownership is gutless.

If Boras would just dispense with the need for headlines (gotta get that first $300 million contract), when he KNOWS his guy is opting out after 3 seasons absent a career altering injury, he'd probably convince some team to throw up something approaching $45 million/season for 3 seasons.
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If Mozeliak can't get Harper in this environment he needs to rape himself to death with a pole saw.
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But hey - have you seen those powder blues, man? And holy cow Goldschmidt is a nice guy. Besides, Dexter Fowler is in the best shape of his life!

!@#$ing Cardinals...
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Honestly, he could have gone the cheap route and just not traded Pham and the difference between signing Harper and not is negligible for 2019.

DeWitt and certainly has entered the "Lamar won his SB and can now coast" portion of his ownership
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Without LaRussa's psychotic competitive streak, there's nobody left in this organization to drive DeWitt into action.

As you've noted - all Mozeliak wants to do is not get fired. He will NEVER stick his neck out to convince DeWitt to sign off on a bold move. If he does and it doesn't work, he gets canned.

So DeWitt's inclination towards resting on his laurels and watching the money roll in will continue to go unchecked. There's just nobody left in this organization with the wherewithal or cache to challenge it.

And I said this awhile ago, but that inclination should surprise nobody. DeWitt and his family are baseball royalty and have been for about 50 years. The guy has seen and done all there is to do. Apart from somehow being named commissioner, what else is there for him?

He's shut it down and there's nobody around anymore that can snap him back into action. The team is just a giant PR wing at this point.
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You could give him $50 million for 3 years. Boras gets his headline and record setting yearly salary. FA with new CBA. Cards have no long term commitment.
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This one is a surprise. #Dodgers talking to #STLCards about Jose Martinez, sources tell The Athletic. LAD could play the defensively challenged Martinez at first base, with Muncy at second and Bellinger in center.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 12, 2018

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Dodgers are shopping Puig and Kemp, too.
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Dodgers also talking with the Reds in a Puig for Homer Bailey trade.

They have gone full retarded after 2 WS losses. The depression has kicked in and suicidal thoughts are creeping in.
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Homer Bailey? Arguably the worst starter in baseball? Is Friedman having a crack addict fire sale?
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The belief is that they would be "buying" prospects in the Bailey trade to flip to the Indians for a pitcher.
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Clear money for Harper.
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That makes sense.
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The Dodgers have all the money in the world for Harper. They are projected $15M under the tax. They wouldn't even hit the 2nd tier if they signed him right now. Besides, trading Puig for Bailey to then trade for Kluber doesn't clear shit in payroll, it adds.
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All is saved! We have our lefty hitter off the bench. Except he can't seem to hit major league right-handers, but hey he is left handed!
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