Would it be smart to sign Bruce to an 8 year deal?

[BucksandReds]

If we equal the Braun contract of 8 years and around $50 million would Bruce sign and would it be good for the Reds? I think yes because we could keep him for 3 years where he could earn $10 million per year and a couple of years that he could earn $20 million per year (best scenario and we look like geniuses) I think that the floor for Bruce is a guy that earns $10-12 million per year on the open market and 5-6 million per on the arbitration market. Wouldn't that mean that if he is as good as possible we save $20-$30 million. If he's a super 2 then it becomes an even better deal for the Reds. I think that he would be at this point if he stays up, right? On top of that contracts will probably be higher by the time that he reaches arb and free agency.

I would try to lock him, Votto, Volquez and Cueto up in these types of contracts soon because if most of them turn out to be very good then it's a value and if most of them don't then we won;t be good anyways so who cares if we overspent by a few million per year on those guys.

[GoReds33]

Yes, but in a year, such as the case with Braun. Right now he's not even close to proven, but in a year he will have some statistics to provide backing for the contract. It would be a huge risk by both sides still, but less of a risk for the Reds.

[TheBigLebowski]

Mid-season next year, yes. Absolutely.

[JayBruce4HOF]

You want to wait a couple seasons to buy out more of his FA years. He'll be dirt cheap the next couple seasons no matter what.

[keeganbrick]

Jay Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce

[mlbfan30]

The sooner you lock him up, the cheaper his FA seasons are bought out.

Your not going to someone about to enter arbitration and try to lock him up for cheap. By then the player knows what he's worth, and will wait 3 seasons to become a FA.

If you lock him up when he has 3 seasons at 500K, but instead pay like 500K/1M/1.5M, then add on cheap arb years like 4.5/6/9, then add 2-3 options years like 14/16/18, then he's set for life without even playing a full season.

Going back to waiting after 3 years... Bruce will get about 8+M his 1st year as arb, and prob 15M by the last year. You might be able to buy out like 7/10/13, then those option years won't look as good.

You need to sign these once in a generation type players ASAP no matter what and for as long as possible.

[Jr's Boy]

Yes he is everything and then some,course it will be a better grade to see him versus top notch pitching.This kid could very well be the spark this team needs to get rolling.

[RedsInFL]

Apparently I don't have enough posts or something to post anywhere else.

Does anyone by any chance have an extra stub from tonights game? I'd really like to have a stub from Bruce's debut. If anyone would be so kind please lmk.

[757690]

The sooner the better, but the big risk is the injury factor. That's the payoff, the player gets less money than he would if he signed year to year, but he is guaranteed the money no matter what happens. That's why these contracts almost never have options, since the player gets nothing out of it if the team can opt out.

Obviously, after one game, it is too soon to make such a decision. But I would do it at the end of this year, if he is good as he is expected to be. I think Ryan Braun #'s would be appropriate, since outfielders are easier to find than SS.

[SarasotaFan]

Wow, the guy has one game under his belt and you wanna sign him to a multi-year deal already ??

Hands down it would be wise to sign anyone to a multi-year deal sooner than later considering that they produce on consistent basis first - it's cheaper in the long run. Will Bruce's agent recommend it to him when the time approaches - depends on the figures. If he continues to hit like he did in the minor leagues his FA value once he reaches that time will lead the list, so the sky is the limit.

[Ghosts of 1990]

I like your thinking.

If there was ever a player worth thinking about early.... it might be Jay Bruce. If Longoria was worth the commitment, our guy definitely is. It would be a HUGE step and statement by our front office and ownership. Make him the face of the franchise.

[Ghosts of 1990]

Originally Posted by SarasotaFan

Wow, the guy has one game under his belt and you wanna sign him to a multi-year deal already ??
Hands down it would be wise to sign anyone to a multi-year deal sooner than later considering that they produce on consistent basis first - it's cheaper in the long run. Will Bruce's agent recommend it to him when the time approaches - depends on the figures. If he continues to hit like he did in the minor leagues his FA value once he reaches that time will lead the list, so the sky is the limit.

The Rays did it with Longoria after 2 weeks.

[AdamDunn]

Originally Posted by JayBruce32

The Rays did it with Longoria after 2 weeks.

Except it was like, $17.5 million for five years plus two years in options, not 8 years $50 million. If we can sign Bruce to something similar to Longoria, then heck yes.

[SarasotaFan]

Originally Posted by AdamDunn

Except it was like, $17.5 million for five years plus two years in options, not 8 years $50 million. If we can sign Bruce to something similar to Longoria, then heck yes.

17.5 for 6 years - covers him up to free agency (through arbitration) then a 1 year option, then a 2 year option. so basically they just went ahead and took away his arbitrating powers.

not a bad deal, a little risky though. hopefully he doesn't come down with the Baldelli-syndrome. they know he's a great defender (minus what you saw on ESPN last night) and is ahead of his age when it comes to baseball mentality.

i'm not a fan of locking anyone up until they have 1.5 years under their belt - just to make sure they don't start out having the sophomore slump.