Add new comment

JW is making $7.25M this year.  The $8.4M for 10 is a club option.  He's never actually been paid more than $7.25M.
I think what we're saying is that if JW forces their hand at the $8.4M, then the club will say "see ya"  -- but we don't think that's what either side wants.
So he can either go into an uncertain market (which will happen if he's "$8.4M take it or leave it"), or he can try to get some longer-term stability with a club that he knows wants him.  And you can't view the pay cut in absolute terms when it is part of what makes a 2-3 year deal attractive to the club.
And going over to the AL and putting up a 51 OPS+, when you're a 78 OPS+ guy to start with, doesn't seem likely to result in lots of folks banging down your door to pay you $8M.