Pollock signs with Dodgers; 4-years, $55M+

[clancyphile]

I like Pollock as a player, but it's hard to ignore that games played column on the stat sheet. Think Braun has a durability problem? Over the last five years Pollock has averaged 94 games played per season. During that timeframe Braun has played in 639 games and Pollack has played in 469. On average, Braun has averaged 34 more games per season, over a full month worth of games. The average value per year of Pollock's deal is pretty attractive, but there is no way I could justify 5 years on a 30+ year old with an extensive history of missing games at this rate.

 

Really surprised that Harper did not wind up in a Dodger uniform, especially after they moved Puig and Kemp off the roster. Have to wonder if teams really fear a rapid and steep decline in Harper's defense...because when I look at the guy he seems as sure a bet as any to be a superior offensive player over the next 7-10 years. The guy had a pretty mediocre stretch that nearly lasted half the season, and he still finished with a .393 OBP, .889 OPS, 34 HR and 100 RBI.

 

I'd actually call it about six weeks' worth of games, assuming that there are off days (schedule) and days where a player is rested.

 

Braun has averaged just under 130 games a season.

 

I think LA will regret this deal.

[tmwiese55]

The guy is just absurd, unreal what he's doing

Yep. And if he played for an East Coastish team, he'd get the recognition he deserves. I think the late start of West Coast games just prevents a lot of people from seeing him play and recognizing that he could be the greatest player of all time.

 

Yup, I've phrased it that if he played for Bos/NYY he'd be constantly talked as potentially the best ever in the same way that debate/discussion is constant regarding Lebron. Now, he's just kind of an afterthought.

[xisxisxis]

I'd actually call it about six weeks' worth of games, assuming that there are off days (schedule) and days where a player is rested.

 

Braun has averaged just under 130 games a season.

 

I think LA will regret this deal.

A season for Pollock has been around 106 games a year. His career war of 17.2 equates to about 3 fWAR per "season".

 

His deal is likely $65M as I doubt he opts out or declines the year 5 option.

 

At a going rate of $10M per WAR for FA he would need to put up 6.5 WAR over the lifetime of the contract. At a closer to current rate of $8M per WAR he would need to put up a little over 8 WAR to be worth the contract. And for $6M per WAR that's 10.1 WAR.

 

If he plays more than 106 games a year or gives the Dodgers more than 10 WAR (or 2 WAR/year) then he would offer very good value. It's a risk given his injury history, but his past performance and skill set would indicate that he has a very good chance to keep performing at a high level for the next few years. If I was betting man on over/under on 8 WAR, I'd have no problem putting some money on over.

[stalton]

10mil option year or 5 mil buyout. I wonder if we will ever see any creative accounting where the buyout is almost the same as the option.

[OnTheBlack]

The guy is just absurd, unreal what he's doing

Yep. And if he played for an East Coastish team, he'd get the recognition he deserves. I think the late start of West Coast games just prevents a lot of people from seeing him play and recognizing that he could be the greatest player of all time.

 

 

I actually think he's the rare player that it doesn't matter. He's talked about among the all time greats as he should be. I don't think people could talk up Trout anymore than they already do.

 

The bigger issue for me is that he's not playing in the post-season. That's when Jeter really became the face of baseball. The Angels need to sign Machado and get into the post-season. Trout has 2 years left and then there are rumors he's going to be headed to Philly or at least back East.

 

LA should be doing everything it can to win right now....

[Tbadder]

Pollock looks like a classic overpay for a player who might be on the continuous downward slope. I think a Pederson platoon will be worth more.