01-19-2015, 03:02 PM
Quote:
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Coldneck" data-cid="234652" data-time="1421691186">
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rok" data-cid="234639" data-time="1421688490">
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Kid" data-cid="234637" data-time="1421688343">
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rok" data-cid="234636" data-time="1421688280">
If true that $105 million of this deal is backloaded (after the 7 years are over), this is truly insane.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/max-scher...0-million/
Everything about that deal is nuts. 7/210 is nuts. Paying $15 million a year for 7 years after the contract is over is certifiably insane.</blockquote>
My money is on Scherzer having TJS by year 2 of this deal.
</blockquote>
ESPN says there is a $50MM signing bonus, which confuses me. The math doesn't work.
Quote: The deal also includes a record $50 million signing bonus, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.</blockquote>
That helps against the luxury tax minimum. If spread out like Lester's deal it doesn't all count toward payroll if it is bonus.
</blockquote>
Can you explain how that works in this situation? It sounds like you're saying the luxury tax calculation can be gamed very easily? I would have thought that a signing bonus means that he's paid $50MM on (fill in date). Or $25MM on date #1 and $25MM on date #2, etc. I'd be surprised if a team can just say $50M is a signing bonus but it's paid out like regular salary (or deferred salary) and receive any luxury tax benefits.

