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2019 Around the MLB

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Why is Harper assumed to get more than Machado?

.282/.335./487

vs

.279/.388/.512

Only argument you could potentially make for Manny deserving more is he can play the premier position in the game right now. However, he is not all that great at that position defensively...much better 3B and probably a below average SS defensively.

Other than that, it is hard to look past a 78 point difference in OPS for a lot of people. That is a huge, huge gap. And teams are much more open to looking past bad defense in the OF as opposed to being bad defensively up the middle.

I don't think he gets a ton more than Machado, but he is definitely worth more to an MLB team than Machado for a number of reasons.
 
The biggest factor is Harper is represented by Scott Boras
 
I don't know enough about either to comment on marketability.

However, when I look at their careers and respective positions, I can't help but think the premium superstar infielder, who's been much more consistent, would be more valuable than the inconsistent outfielder who honestly hasn't lived up to expectations.

I figured I'd ask since I don't spend much time following baseball as a whole anymore outside of the Indians and the Astros.

I'd actually argue that, in addition to being a better player, Harper has been more consistent.

In 3 of Machado's 6 seasons, he's had a worse wRC+ than Harper's worst season (2016).

The biggest argument for Machado is he is a premier 3B, but if he insists on playing SS, that value disappears, and Harper is a far superior hitter.
 
Thanks guys! I was under the impression Machado was potentially a very good shortstop. That clears things up.
 
Thanks guys! I was under the impression Machado was potentially a very good shortstop. That clears things up.

He’s a very good 3B but an average at best SS. Honestly overall Lindor and Ramirez will have equal or greater value overall to Machado especially if he is playing SS
 
He’s a very good 3B but an average at best SS. Honestly overall Lindor and Ramirez will have equal or greater value overall to Machado especially if he is playing SS

Yeah I don't disagree with that, but I was curious about Harper, who is also a FA.
 
Yeah I don't disagree with that, but I was curious about Harper, who is also a FA.

I actually question Harper more than Machado going forward, just mostly because his fielding hasn’t been as good and he had a bad year last year (for him that is) I am curious if he is effected a lot more by the clubhouse than people would think. When Harper is on he is a good RF and one of the premier hitters in baseball. He’s about the only guy who walks more than Santana lol
 
Machado has been unequivocally more valuable.

Harper is more recognizable, but he’s mostly recognizable for being an asshole.
 
Harper is a talent, no doubt, but he also can't hit lefties very well for the money he's trying to command. He's not an elite fielder either, at least not on Machado's level (when he's playing 3B, not SS).

Harper is probably the second biggest name in baseball right now behind Trout though, so there's that whole marketability aspect I guess. Give me Machado for the next ten years for identical money though.
 
That 5 year opt out is an extremely valuable option

I doubt that was just some throw in. It probably shaved millions off that contract to get it
 
Machado has been unequivocally more valuable.

Harper is more recognizable, but he’s mostly recognizable for being an asshole.
Isn’t Machado recognized for the same thing though?
 
Harper is a talent, no doubt, but he also can't hit lefties very well for the money he's trying to command. He's not an elite fielder either, at least not on Machado's level (when he's playing 3B, not SS).

Harper is probably the second biggest name in baseball right now behind Trout though, so there's that whole marketability aspect I guess. Give me Machado for the next ten years for identical money though.
Can’t hit lefties very well? Might want to re-check those numbers. There’s a platoon split, sure, but he’s at about an .800 OPS for his career against lefties, and has been even higher than that in each of the past two seasons.

For reference, Machado’s career OPS (against all pitchers) is only .822
 

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