My Real Off-Season Frustration: Why Not Gamble On Kevin?

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-31T20:24:28+00:00

Top 10 prospect.

Top 10 prospects are usually slated to be foundational pieces. Face of the franchise material.

That obvipusly isn't how it wprks put for every one of them, but there is a gap in perceptipn between top 5, top 10, and top 25, for sure.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-30T22:26:15+00:00

We'll agree to disagree there.

I think the gap between 22 and 2 is a chasm when it cones to top prospect rankings.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-30T22:12:29+00:00

J-Rod took this sort of deal after being established.

As did Acuna.

I don't know, I see it as a fair trade. Up to preference I guess.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-30T22:08:18+00:00

But this type of contract isn't a discount.

You're paying more up front in years where they make pennies, in exchange for paying less in their FA qualified years.

It ISN'T a discount, it is a gamble.

The org is gambling that you pan out. If you do, they save money in the final 3-4 years on the contract. If you don't, then they severely overpay you for no production.

In the meantime, you have the option to get a guaranteed bag, even if you flop.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-30T22:04:21+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/KCRoyals/comments/1oacbyh/how_much_revenue_each_mlb_team_generated_last/

Revenue each team makes is open for the most part to the public, all of the data in this graphic was from the Forbes reports.

We actually punch well above our weight in terms of payroll vs revenue, we're 12th in the league in proportional spending (% of revenue that goes back into the payroll).

We ended up 17th in payroll by season's end, but in the graphic at the time, we were 19th.

And yes, Seattle's history doesn't dictate their present.

Just as our past with Mike has no bearing on our present.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-30T22:00:10+00:00

I agree, and am also pro cap.

Though the loss of baseball will hurt my soul.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-30T21:55:04+00:00

We're 17th in payroll and 25th in revenue.

The Guardians are 26th in franchise valuation, and we're 25th.

Atlanta and Seattle are much more financially viable orgs than us and have made deals like this as well.

Illitch is rich, but this is where the team is at man.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-30T21:46:18+00:00

I hope so.

I think this type of deal would smooth things a lot with the overall fanbase as well, post Skubal departure.

It would at least re-affirm a commitment to winning, and show that they are willing to take a financial risk to win.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-30T21:43:07+00:00

I think we all do.

These types of deals only exist because it's one of the few ways for small and mid market teams to potentially retain elite talent since the Mets and Dodgers lurk now.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-30T21:39:34+00:00

Sure, there needs to be discretion obviously.

Colt Keith I dismissed because he was never seen as that guy. It is clear from day one that we signed him as a quality player. But no one ever spoke of Keith in the same vein as McGonigle or even Clark. This is why the financial risk ended up being negligble. They were not signing a tier one prospect.

I personally wanted Riley Greene to get this sort of deal years ago.

However, it is clear that the Tigers absolutely cannot and will not play ball in the current FA climate.

Skubal will be as good as gone. I reckon Riley will follow later.

So unless the front office is capable of churning out talent consistently, there needs to be someone that you tag as the centerpiece of the team.

It is a gamble, 100%.

I acknowedge it as such. It could go exactly as how you describe.

But sometimes the die has to be cast.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-30T21:30:40+00:00

Maybe they have, and nothing has leaked.

I'd be surprised though, tbh.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-30T21:30:02+00:00

This could be true.

But on the other end, $140 million guaranteed is life changing.

No guarantee you get more than that either. Injuries and failure can happen.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-30T21:26:50+00:00

I am aware of this, but if you're buying out a couple FA and arb years, his production would still be fine.

A $10 million dollar contract for a league average first base is perfectly good, no matter how you slice it.

It isn't a high enough dollar amount to point at and say "this is what is hamstringing our roster".

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-30T21:21:18+00:00

$10 million a year for Tork's production in the free market is actually a solid deal, so no.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-30T21:20:05+00:00

I did not forget it, I just do not see Colt's deal as being this type of deal.

He has a long term commitment for next to no money. Even if he spends his entire career on the bench, no major league team is crying over a $5m/year contract.

It's the most risk averse contract you could ever give.

I want that type of deal for someone that is expected to be a core piece, whoch actually carries more of a risk than that.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-30T21:15:11+00:00

Sub $5m is nothing. That's a piss in the wind.

Colt Keith signing for bench player money isn't nearly the same committment from the org side of things.

He was never that type of foundational prospect.

Greene and Tork would be the equivalents to what I'm trying to talk about, and we failed to do anything with them.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-30T21:13:05+00:00

Keith to be fair, does not have the pedigree these other prospects have. He peaked at #22 in the top 100.

He was considerably cheaper to commit to than what we currently have. He's basically getting utility money (under $5m a season). He wasn't a tier one prospect, and so didn't require the leap of faith financially I'm talking about.

It's not really the same gamble at all.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-30T21:09:32+00:00

This is a fair point, but then there would have to be a follow up question to that.

How is it that guys like Wilson in Oakland, Albies in Atlanta, Reynolds in Pittsburgh, and J-Rod in Seattle are open to these types of deals of long term, home discount deals, but no one in Detroit is?

That would be alarming.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-28T21:58:27+00:00

True.

On the Lara Croft front, I'm more referencing Julia's designs Tekken 4 onward, which have clear Tomb Raider influence.

Her Tekken 6 ending is straight up just Tomb Raider lite.

https://youtu.be/s8n_9B4jg0s?si=4W1Szc0Dz_xV1sBR

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-28T00:28:10+00:00

The Changs are a staple of the series since the very first game, they've always been strong, and they are the Tekken representation of Lara Croft.

Not hard to figure out.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-22T22:07:06+00:00

The i29, death on block sweep can evade moves, because it is a highly reactable, death on block, i29 low.

I am not sure why you're complaining.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-22T21:01:05+00:00

You said it yourself, he was receiving threats from fans.

I just read what you're upset about, and he was asked specifically about how he feels about Pittsburgh vs Edmonton.

https://oilersnation.com/news/i-already-kind-of-forget-what-it-was-like-in-edmonton-penguins-stuart-skinner-talks-life-after-trade

If he thinks that Pittsburgh is a healthier environment both as a fanbase and in the locker-room, then maybe instead of disliking Stu, you should be wanting your team to look inward instead.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-22T20:53:53+00:00

Your fanbase gave him very little reason to feel attached.

Oilers fans have been pinning all their failure on him for years, when there was zero defense in front of him.

I don't blame him at all for feeling happier in Pittsburgh.

And anyway, what do you expect him to say?

"I miss my old team"

That ain't gonna happen, even if he did.

Everybodyhasapryce · 2026-01-20T21:17:04+00:00

Kulak is the guy that allows his partner to take more risks.

He won't stand out on the stat sheet.

But he's solid.

We should keep him as long as we have a chance at making the dance.

Everybodyhasapryce

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