[Giants]

Not sure I consider an $260,000,000 payroll “disciplined”. They have some interesting choices coming up Seager, Taylor, Scherzer and Kershaw to name a few.

The Dodgers have a large payroll but they have been very disciplined in adhering to their process. The Betts extension was the first $100 million contract ever issued under the Friedman regime. They signed Bauer to a high AAV but only a three year commitment, similar to the offer they made to Harper. They have used their prospect capital in trades but held onto their highest ranked prospects. If they engage in any long term free agent contracts they will surely be for players under 30 like Betts.

I'm betting that Zaidi will follow his former employers' model, which may disappoint SF fans hoping for splashy free agent forays but will result in sustainable competitiveness.

Overall, I agree.  However, LA made a brobdingnagian error is signing Bauer for a couple reasons.

1) He was known as a difficult personality long before the incident that resulted in his suspension.  There is a reason he bounced from team to team.  Teams could deal with him for only so long before his behavior overrode his talent.  For that reason, I was hoping SF would stay away from him last offseason.  

2) He was a guy who thrived on the ability to load the ball.  It was inevitable that MLB would crackdown.  The Athletic had an article earlier this year that detailed the analysis the Giants did on every pitcher they signed in the offseason to make certain their success wasn’t built on artificial spin rates.  They foresaw the action that was taken this summer and benefitted from the new rules.  While we will never know, I suggest that Bauer would not have had as effective a second half to the season.  

The Bauer signing wreaked of hubris.  It will be interesting to see if LA doubles down or reverts back to the “disciplined” approach…..

[Giants]

Not sure I consider an $260,000,000 payroll “disciplined”. They have some interesting choices coming up Seager, Taylor, Scherzer and Kershaw to name a few.

The Dodgers have a large payroll but they have been very disciplined in adhering to their process. The Betts extension was the first $100 million contract ever issued under the Friedman regime. They signed Bauer to a high AAV but only a three year commitment, similar to the offer they made to Harper. They have used their prospect capital in trades but held onto their highest ranked prospects. If they engage in any long term free agent contracts they will surely be for players under 30 like Betts.

I'm betting that Zaidi will follow his former employers' model, which may disappoint SF fans hoping for splashy free agent forays but will result in sustainable competitiveness.

Overall, I agree.  However, LA made a brobdingnagian error is signing Bauer for a couple reasons.

1) He was known as a difficult personality long before the incident that resulted in his suspension.  There is a reason he bounced from team to team.  Teams could deal with him for only so long before his behavior overrode his talent.  For that reason, I was hoping SF would stay away from him last offseason.  

2) He was a guy who thrived on the ability to load the ball.  It was inevitable that MLB would crackdown.  The Athletic had an article earlier this year that detailed the analysis the Giants did on every pitcher they signed in the offseason to make certain their success wasn’t built on artificial spin rates.  They foresaw the action that was taken this summer and benefitted from the new rules.  While we will never know, I suggest that Bauer would not have had as effective a second half to the season.  

The Bauer signing wreaked of hubris.  It will be interesting to see if LA doubles down or reverts back to the “disciplined” approach…..