Zach Walters
Jul 22, 2017 · 1 min read

Fangraphs salary numbers are absurd, and should not be used for any serious purpose.

<i>Two years later, he hit .315, slugged .552, and by the numbers played superb defense. Fangraphs pegs his worth at right around $40 million. He was paid $500,000.</i>

So Sandoval was “worth” twice the highest salary in the National League (Johan Santana), and 50% more than the highest salary in the American League (Alex Rodriguez). For a year in which he finished 17th in the MVP voting — tied with John Axford, just ahead of Mike Morse.

The top salary in MLB has been increasing linearly for quite some time. If that holds true, we’ll see the first $40 million player sometime around 2030. Later, if there’s a big correction to sports broadcasting fees.

So I ask you — who exactly was Sandoval worth $40 million to? Not the 2011 Giants, whose top salary was Barry Zito’s $18.5 million. Not the Red Sox, who gave him $18 million per year on the assumption that he’d keep it up. The Fangraphs people are, as always, the high bidders, but I don’t think they’re planning on writing a check.

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