If my math and Cot’s contracts is correct Samardizja and Melancon are owed $107.4 through 2020 and Hayward is owed $135.1667 through 2023 because the Giants backloaded their contracts and Hayward’s was frontloaded.
The neat feature is that for luxury tax purposes Samardizja and Melancon are worth $33 million/year and Heywad is $23 million.
How is that "neat"?
For us, that lux-wise, we'd be getting a rotation guy (and if healthy perhaps a pen piece) for "only" $10 hit in lux? Whereas if we sign a FA rotation guy plus a pen guy, while keeping Heyward, the lux-increase would be much, much, much higher than $10?
And perhaps also a motivation for them, that they would knock $10 off, and free up lux space for buying other assets?
Interesting that a salary exchange like that would save the Cubs <$30M longterm ($107 vs $135). But would clear Heyward's commitments off from when Bryant etc. are free agents. An extra $23/year might be kinda welcome during the 20's.
Melancon was to have pronator-syndrome surgery. Suggested 2-3 month recovery, so theoretically could be fully recovered for next season.
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/04/breaking-giants-mark-melancon-to-undergo-surgery-for-rare-muscular-syndrome/