Signing a 4 war player in a position of uncertainty (all prospects) accelerates your competitive window. Can’t keep kicking the can down the road until stars align. Mayer has a place in the infield with story or Yoshida (devers dh) leaving. Anthony has space. Can’t just prepare for perfect fits only
How many years is Bregman going to be a 4 WAR player at 2B? Maybe 1 year? Maybe zero? A big part of his WAR total is from his defense at 3B and I’m not convinced he’s a plus defender at a tougher position at age 31.
Adding Bergman slightly accelerates and shortens the competitive window.
Without referencing 2020 he’s had over a 4 WAR 6 of the 7 years. He was 91% percentile in range and 26% percentile in arm strength (hence the postion switch). If you get 4 years of good ball from him you’d figure to be in WS race that whole time. Then his backend all the rookies will be prime.
I like Bregman as a player but his OPS has dropped from .820 to .804 to .768 the last three years and age 31 forward could get ugly (the Kris Bryant and Anthony Rendon comparisons at baseball reference feel ominous). One year pillow deal... sign me up!
You need talent on the field. Thinking Mayer Anthony Cambell even come close to yearly 10 WAR combined would be best case scenario. Take an established guy. You need a leader too. Pillow contracts will never win us anything. Just the “oh glad we didn’t overpay race”
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Adding Bergman slightly accelerates and shortens the competitive window.