Least attractive franchises to sign a long-term deal with now?

[Frobby]

Credit to wildbillhiccup for this thread idea, which he raised in another thread.    He offered that for players looking to sign a long-term deal, the Orioles might be about the least attractive team due to their uncertain future.    He allowed that Miami, Cincinnati and Detroit are probably worse.    As to San Diego, he pointed out “at least you’re in San Diego.”

This seems a bit melodramatic to me.    Putting aside things like weather that don’t relate to the franchise itself, I’m not sure our franchise’s future is any more uncertain than Toronto’s or Tampa’s, not to mention San Francisco,  Kansas City, Oakland, Seattle, NY Mets or Pittsburgh.

Fortunes have a way of shifting, and I think we tend to view everything through the prism of having experienced 14 consecutive losing seasons.    But this doesn’t have to be a team with no future, with or without Manny. 

[Eddie_Ripken]

I'd have to put more thought into which franchise as a free agent...but I will say as a fan I can tell you I would be pissed if I was a Pittsburgh fan after the owner made it clear they don't plan on spending to make the team better even though they are getting lots of cash from MLB and the revenue sharing deals.

I was thinking with Orioles FanFest coming up and no moves being made the Orioles will probably make the Fanfest theme "At least we're not Pittsburgh"

[interloper]

I dunno about least attractive, but I certainly wouldn't want to sign a long term deal with a team whose manager and GM and star players are all on the way out next season. Doesn't seem wise and I'm sure my agent would agree.

[Yardball85]

17 minutes ago, Eddie_Ripken said:

I'd have to put more thought into which franchise as a free agent...but I will say as a fan I can tell you I would be pissed if I was a Pittsburgh fan after the owner made it clear they don't plan on spending to make the team better even though they are getting lots of cash from MLB and the revenue sharing deals.

I was thinking with Orioles FanFest coming up and no moves being made the Orioles will probably make the Fanfest theme "At least we're not Pittsburgh"

That, and they'll try to sell us on the competition is good, brings out the best in everyone mantra re: the last three spots in the rotation.

[Aristotelian]

I would not even so much as talk to the Orioles with their history of leaking medicals. 

[wildcard]

I think the feeling is mutual between the O's and free agents.   The O's don't want to sign them to long term contracts and the free agents don't want to sign long term deals with the O's..   The O's want a couple of veteran starters on  one or two year deals.   Free agent will see the Orioles as a team that wants them when no one else does and the O's are willing to pay 10m+ per year.      

We are just waiting to see if that mutual understanding happens in the next few weeks and with who.

[pastorfan]

5 hours ago, interloper said:

I dunno about least attractive, but I certainly wouldn't want to sign a long term deal with a team whose manager and GM and star players are all on the way out next season. Doesn't seem wise and I'm sure my agent would agree.

Factoring in the state of the franchise along with taxes, perceived safety and such, I'm sure Baltimore would be near the bottom for many guys. 

[weams]

6 hours ago, Frobby said:

Credit to wildbillhiccup for this thread idea, which he raised in another thread.    He offered that for players looking to sign a long-term deal, the Orioles might be about the least attractive team due to their uncertain future.    He allowed that Miami, Cincinnati and Detroit are probably worse.    As to San Diego, he pointed out “at least you’re in San Diego.”

This seems a bit melodramatic to me.    Putting aside things like weather that don’t relate to the franchise itself, I’m not sure our franchise’s future is any more uncertain than Toronto’s or Tampa’s, not to mention San Francisco,  Kansas City, Oakland, Seattle, NY Mets or Pittsburgh.

Fortunes have a way of shifting, and I think we tend to view everything through the prism of having experienced 14 consecutive losing seasons.    But this doesn’t have to be a team with no future, with or without Manny. 

Toronto players have to play half of their games in that dump on concrete.

[weams]

5 hours ago, Eddie_Ripken said:

I'd have to put more thought into which franchise as a free agent...but I will say as a fan I can tell you I would be pissed if I was a Pittsburgh fan after the owner made it clear they don't plan on spending to make the team better even though they are getting lots of cash from MLB and the revenue sharing deals.

I was thinking with Orioles FanFest coming up and no moves being made the Orioles will probably make the Fanfest theme "At least we're not Pittsburgh"

Pittsburgh is a beautiful, vibrant city with loyal fans and a lovely stadium. 

[wildcard]

1 minute ago, weams said:

Toronto players have to play half of their games in that dump on concrete.

I never thought of it as a dump. Pretty nice ballpark on concrete.

[weams]

22 minutes ago, wildcard said:

I never thought of it as a dump. Pretty nice ballpark on concrete.

[wildbillhiccup]

6 hours ago, Frobby said:

Credit to wildbillhiccup for this thread idea, which he raised in another thread.    He offered that for players looking to sign a long-term deal, the Orioles might be about the least attractive team due to their uncertain future.    He allowed that Miami, Cincinnati and Detroit are probably worse.    As to San Diego, he pointed out “at least you’re in San Diego.”

This seems a bit melodramatic to me.    Putting aside things like weather that don’t relate to the franchise itself, I’m not sure our franchise’s future is any more uncertain than Toronto’s or Tampa’s, not to mention San Francisco,  Kansas City, Oakland, Seattle, NY Mets or Pittsburgh.

Fortunes have a way of shifting, and I think we tend to view everything through the prism of having experienced 14 consecutive losing seasons.    But this doesn’t have to be a team with no future, with or without Manny. 

I was just looking to spark a conversation because I'm legitimately curious what our sales pitch is to lure free agents. Teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs,  and to a lesser extend Giants and Cardinals don't really need one, but we do. So if you're Dan Duquette what are you telling free agents when they ask about Machado and the long term future / direction of the franchise? 

In terms of the others teams you've listed, the Giants have made bold moves this offseason to get themselves back in contention and over the last two seasons Seattle has done the same. Kansas City has a recent World Series win to point too (and looks like they're going to resign Hosmer) and the Mets are a complete mess, but at least they're willing to spend money. The same could be said for Toronto, another team that's not afraid to make bold moves (i.e., the Donaldson and Tulo trades) and not afraid to spend money. Tampa is terrible and seems to be consistently hamstring by their payroll and I'm not quite sure what to make of the Pirates. They have some young talent (pitchers and offensive players) so I'm inclined to reserve judgement for one more year. If Meadows, Taillon, and Glasnow all do well then and Polanco bounces back (and stays healthy) then we all might be praising them for selling McCutchen and Cole. Time will tell...

[MikeAD]

In no real order: San Diego, Baltimore Detroit Denver and Cincinatti. If money and winning are the largest motivators those teams would be the worst fit. In Pittsburgh or Miami you at least have the ability to perform as a top player on the team and likely will get moved to a contender before the end of your contract. Also if you are young enough you could be a part of a winning franchise soon. Also for all the things people rave about Baltimore : beautiful stadium , toght diverse city , great sports heritage and fans. You find all that In Pitt with a substantially better (although still depressing ) ownership than Baltimore. 

[theocean]

I really think it depends on the player individually. Some players just want the most money. Some players want to be close to home. Some players want to win. Some players want to play with friends. Some players want to play in a city they like.

That being said - I think most players probably aren't going to sign up with the Marlins anytime soon. The Athletics and Rays probably don't inspire much confidence either.

[weams]

37 minutes ago, wildbillhiccup said:

I was just looking to spark a conversation because I'm legitimately curious what our sales pitch is to lure free agents. 

 

I don't wish to be rude. But the sales pitch is now and always has been the most money for the most years. 

I don't expect that to be the Orioles often. Nor do I think it should be for the most part with the limited market and financial uncertainty of the franchise.