Phillies should sign Arrieta

[rothdawg]

Let’s keep the train rolling. Middleton talks a good game, and I believe that he’s a fan and wants to win. Time to walk the walk.I understand the risk of signing a pitcher in his 30s, but the Phillies have one of the lowest payrolls in baseball. Signing Arrieta is not going to prevent them from signing Harper or Machado next year.

[JuTMSY4]

I'm on board

Let’s keep the train rolling. Middleton talks a good game, and I believe that he’s a fan and wants to win. Time to walk the walk.I understand the risk of signing a pitcher in his 30s, but the Phillies have one of the lowest payrolls in baseball. Signing Arrieta is not going to prevent them from signing Harper or Machado next year.

I get it, but I also don't. my understanding is the MLB soft cap is based on AAV, so years really matter (vs. frontloading). So I understand the unwillingness to commit. Apparently they're at 3/82, which is pretty significant, but Arrieta wants 5+ (coming down from 6). Sounds like 4/100+ should get it done.

Either that, or Lance Lynn or Alex Cobb should be in camp by now. Even a #3 type starter is a piece that would help a lot.

[rothdawg]

I get it, but I also don't. my understanding is the MLB soft cap is based on AAV, so years really matter (vs. frontloading). So I understand the unwillingness to commit. Apparently they're at 3/82, which is pretty significant, but Arrieta wants 5+ (coming down from 6). Sounds like 4/100+ should get it done.

Either that, or Lance Lynn or Alex Cobb should be in camp by now. Even a #3 type starter is a piece that would help a lot.

At this point I can’t see Arrieta getting 5 years.

[bobbyuk]

As long as Boras is his agent he’ll get the 5 years from someone. Just like the Vikings getting desperate for a QB in 2016, some team who they believe is closer to contention will get desperate and give him what he wants.