Dodgers News: Max Muncy Talks About Decision to Turn Down More Money on the Open Market
Recently Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy agreed to a new two-year contract extension to keep him with the team. He had a club option for next season, but the two sides agreed to extend his deal. But the strange part for Muncy was that it ended up paying him less than he would have received in the option.
Muncy appeared on MLB Network for a segment of High Heat, and he explained why he took less money to remain with the Dodgers for the next few seasons.
“Yeah, you know, it’s an organization that several years ago when I first came back, they helped me rediscover my love for baseball and to me there’s a piece of mind that being with an organization like that and knowing that we have a chance to win every single year and it’s also place that we’re comfortable — my family is comfortable there. It was really just a no brainer for us … we were never in it to make them the most amount of money, we want to win a World Series and having that chance with Los Angeles, that just gives us the best chance possible. And so for me, it was the most comfortable decision.”
Per Max Muncy via High Heat
Muncy has become a fan favorite over the years, and his remaining in Los Angeles was great news for everyone. His contract gave the Dodgers some extra flexibility, and they got to keep a valuable member in the lineup.
He is the stereotypical power hitter in this current time, where he hits home runs and gets walks at a high rate, but he also strikes out a ton. The Dodgers will live with the strikeouts and the low batting average as long as he is producing runs in the middle of the lineup.
He also appeared on the Foul Territory show, where he provided more insight into everything.
“For me the most important thing was just staying as a Dodger for more than just the one year I had with my option. .. “(It) was definitely under value,” Muncy said of his new deal, “but the value to us was being able to stay in LA.”
Per Max Muncy via Foul Territory
Muncy has enjoyed being in LA, and his taking this new deal shows that. Hopefully, he can continue to produce at a high rate for the Dodgers going forward, and this contract becomes even more of a steal for the team.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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Max Muncy is what it is all about. He is a gamer. Even when he struggled; he gave it all. He takes his walks. A walk is as good as a hit. He is what the Dodgers are about. He is playing the long game. Sure, he may have made more elsewhere. But he may have sat it out waiting for a contract. That happens in baseball. He just gave his family two more years of stability while giving us two more years as a serviceable third baseman, second baseman or first baseman. That hits 35 homers a year.
The good part is more payroll flexibility with his 2 year deal . Dodgers now need to be aggressive with what was reported $100 million in freed up money to get some front line starting pitching. Ya don’t win in October without starting pitching. Its also difficult to win in October with half the lineup made up of role players, platoon players. Just look at how Rangers and Dbacks got to this year’s WS to know why.
Don’t be fooled by Muncy’s contract as it’s filled with numerous financial incentives, including plate appearances. Muncy knows that Roberts wil have him in the lineup nearly every day regardless of his performance in order to earn the extra salary. Not a fan of player incentives. Incentives can handicaps the manager and also erode the relationship with other players deserving to be in the lineup.