The state of the MLB game: What $300 million gets you

Prior to the potential expiration of the MLB collective bargaining agreement on December 1, there was a fair amount of comment on the “energy” in this year’s offseason. Players were being signed right and left, for lots of money, and not necessarily by the usual deep-pocket teams. By now, you likely know about the real eye-opening signings – Max Scherzer by the New York Mets, Corey Seager by the Texas Rangers, and so-forth. Seager’s signing was “only” the ninth MLB contract signed worth more than $300 million.

But another was eagerly awaited! Carlos Correa would surely break some team’s bank before the CBA expired, wouldn’t he?

If that were to happen at any point before New Year’s Day, Correa’s contract would become the fourth MLB document spit out of a laser printer in the current calendar year worth at least $300 million. This would raise the total number of such documents by 67 percent inside of 365 days.

The MLB offseason could produce an explosion of players making $300 million. Is this good?

If he doesn’t sign for that by then, or if his contract is signed in 2022, that increase will stay at a paltry 50 percent for this year. It says here, however, that Correa will likely get his $300 million promise sooner or later.

In the early morning hours of December 1, Correa’s destination and pay remained a mystery. Perhaps owners paused in dishing out $300 million to guys playing only one position on the field because any news on the CBA negotiations was also missing.

“Guys, if we have to lock them out, and then, we have another short season like in ’20, what gives? You can’t sell caps and shirts and beer if the ballpark’s closed.”

So, while MLB is paused, maybe there’s an opportunity to ask just exactly what you get for 300 million Washingtons if you promise that much money to one, young professional baseball player. After all, we do have some results for such deals.

In fact, we have 22 player-seasons in the MLB books played by individuals under contract for multiple years and at least $300 million in total remuneration. Nearly one-third of those seasons belong to the Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton, who originally made his big deal with the Marlins back in November of 2014.

His 13-year contract for $325 million still has six years to go. What has he done for his average $25 million salary a year? And what have the other eight guys done for their lucrative contracts thus far? No wait, make that seven – Seager hasn’t played under his contract with Texas yet (10 years, $325 million).