In addition to absorbing Denard Span’s contract, the Tampa Bay Rays are sending $14.5 million to the Giants in the Evan Longoria trade, spread out over several years, according to Marc Topkin. This changes how the trade should be perceived, at least a little.
Let us pretend we are in a utopian future where money doesn’t exist. All of your needs are taken care of, friend, so baseball players play simply for the love of the game. In this utopian future, you’re offered a choice of either Todd Frazier or Evan Longoria to play third base for your favorite team.