There have been 12 contracts in baseball history producing total dollars of $200 million or more, but outfielder Giancarlo Stanton signed the only pact for over $300 million. In November 2014, he signed a contract extension with Miami for 13 years and $325 million.
That was the richest contract in major league history. This winter, not one but two players could top that, and might even surpass the $400 million threshold. In their annual predictions and projections for free agents, MLBTradeRumors.com predicts the Los Angeles Dodgers will sign Bryce Harper to a deal for 14 years and $420 million. Manny Machado is projected to sign with Philadelphia for 13 years and get $390 million.
Wow. When these two sign, can they really get deals that long and that rich?
Meanwhile, as free agency begins, the online sportsbook Bovada.com listed the favorites and odds for teams to sign those players.
Which team will sign Machado this winter?
Philadelphia Phillies - 3/2
Los Angeles Dodgers - 9/4
New York Yankees - 3/1
Miami Marlins - 8/1
Los Angeles Angels - 9/1
Atlanta Braves - 14/1
Washington Nationals - 14/1
Which team will sign Harper this winter?
Philadelphia Phillies - 1/1
Chicago Cubs - 3/1
Washington Nationals - 4/1
San Francisco Giants - 15/2
New York Yankees - 8/1
Los Angeles Dodgers - 17/2
Boston Red Sox - 15/1
Los Angeles Angels - 15/1
Norfolk Tides honored: Minor League Baseball announced earlier this week that the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides, are the recipient of the third annual Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award. The Tides will receive the award at the Winter Meetings banquet on Sunday, Dec. 9, in Las Vegas.
The Murphy Award is presented to a team or individual in minor league baseball for outstanding support of the United States armed forces and veterans, both at the ballpark and in the community. The award was created in 2016 in honor of the longtime Florida State League president and U.S. Army veteran who passed away Feb. 21, 2015, at the age of 83.
"The Hampton Roads area is the largest military market in the country, so the military has long been an integral part of our community," said Tides general manager Joe Gregory. "The Tides always strive to recognize the remarkable accomplishments of our veterans and active-duty service members, so to be acknowledged as the recipient of this prestigious award is a truly special moment for our organization and the Hampton Roads area."
The award comes with a $5,000 donation to be split between the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and the USO of Hampton Roads on behalf of the Norfolk Tides organization.
In 2018, the Tides held nights dedicated to honoring each branch of the United States' armed forces. Norfolk mascots Rip Tide and Triton made more than 70 appearances at military events in the Hampton Roads area in 2018, and the Tides' reading program distributed more than 1,000 free tickets to military families. The Tides established 13 locations at various military installations where military members could pick up discounted vouchers to attend Tides games. The team also offered Military Mondays throughout the season, awarding discounts on tickets and merchandise at Harbor Park to active and retired military personnel. In addition, the Tides provided veterans of the military with more than 1,000 free tickets through the Tickets to Vets program.