In today’s MLB, contracts are almost as important as talent for some clubs. Yes, they seek quality major leaguers, but at what cost? Some clubs can’t afford the biggest and more prominent free agents, and that’s why they want players with years of team control.
Controllable players are often young, which is also desirable for rebuilding teams. It’s all about best aligning the contention window with talent and resources.
What does it have to do with Yankees starter J.A. Happ and a possible trade later down the road? We’ll review the situation but, first, there are some concepts to explain.