Harper or Machado

[Mike A. S.]

Who would you rather your team spend $300 million dollars on in free agency next year? Bryce Harper or Manny Machado.

 

[calsnowskier]

I don’t believe anyone would be worth that kind of scratch, but between the two, I would rather have Harper. His bat is more game changing, his defense is + and he plays a less strenuous position, so he will likely stay healthy for the bulk of said contract.

Nothing against Machado, though. Dude is a beast.

 

[Chewbaccer]

Harper.

Machado has bad knees, and I'm not giving a big contract to a guy that cries about being tagged too hard.

 

[JohnU]

I guess in the spirit of it, the OP gives us only two choices.
I would like to see a "tournament" to determine the guy who gets to compete against Harper.
Maybe a best-of-three between Machado and ... oh ... crap ... Cliff Pennington.

 

[calsnowskier]

I guess in the spirit of it, the OP gives us only two choices.
I would like to see a "tournament" to determine the guy who gets to compete against Harper.
Maybe a best-of-three between Machado and ... oh ... crap ... Cliff Pennington.

Let’s go with Strickland. Even though in THIS debate, there is no question, who wouldn’t want to see another round between these two?

 

[broncosmitty]

not like my team will be signing a FA worth his salt for another 5 years.


But I'd take Machado.

 

[Mike A. S.]

not like my team will be signing a FA worth his salt for another 5 years.


But I'd take Machado.

I agree with every word you just said.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Harper.

Machado has bad knees, and I'm not giving a big contract to a guy that cries about being tagged too hard.

This.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

I'll also add, I bet Harper gets closer to $400MM.

 

[navamind]

Both have some injury histories, but Harper's injuries seem to be more of a function of playing too hard than being injury prone. Both have played at an elite level, but Harper's shown he can play at a historically good level (2015). I'll go with Harper.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Both have some injury histories, but Harper's injuries seem to be more of a function of playing too hard than being injury prone. Both have played at an elite level, but Harper's shown he can play at a historically good level (2015). I'll go with Harper.

Sorry, nava, I've been informed that 2015 was merely a borderline great season for Harper. . .

 

[navamind]

Sorry, nava, I've been informed that 2015 was merely a borderline great season for Harper. . .

"19-year-old rookies hit for a 118 OPS+ all the time"

 

[navamind]

Something tells me even if Harper sustains his .417/.550/1.167 slash line someone will still be bitching about his performance.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Something tells me even if Harper sustains his .417/.550/1.167 slash line someone will still be bitching about his performance.

Not me. I've got him in a keeper league.

 

[JohnU]

If I were Harper, I'd take the team discount to play 81 games a year in Cincy.
Move over, record books.

 

[Cedrique]

I originally picked Machado but if there are real injury concerns I think I'm changing my mind. The appeal of Machado is you plug him in at shortstop or 2b/3b and he is a big upgrade offensively for most teams. But if he is going to move to first base because of bad knees in a couple years Harper is a much better offensive player.

 

[scoutyjones2]

I don't get the love for Machado...look at his splits Home/Away. Hell, he averages barely and 800 OPS and a 116 OPS+. Add in that both knees have been surgically repaired. I get that he's a stud defensively, but cmon

No brainer...Harper. Dudes outpacing Barry Bonds at his age

 

[Cedrique]

I don't get the love for Machado...look at his splits Home/Away. Hell, he averages barely and 800 OPS and a 116 OPS+. Add in that both knees have been surgically repaired. I get that he's a stud defensively, but cmon

No brainer...Harper. Dudes outpacing Barry Bonds at his age

Yeah, positional scarcity is the only reason. The allure of getting a great fielding SS who can hit 35 bombs. But I think I'm leaning even more towards Harper. Can you imagine if a few years from now Machado was unable to play the middle infield or 3b? And moving to 1B/DH doesn't necessarily make you into a better hitter. Look no further than Joe Mauer

 

[Cedrique]

I don't get the love for Machado...look at his splits Home/Away. Hell, he averages barely and 800 OPS and a 116 OPS+. Add in that both knees have been surgically repaired. I get that he's a stud defensively, but cmon

No brainer...Harper. Dudes outpacing Barry Bonds at his age

On a side note, I have a feeling Harper will have a tough time outpacing Bonds between the ages of 35-39.......

 

[tducey]

Harper.