Part 5/11:
Dombrowski’s comments, though not directly targeting Alonso, have overarching implications. Media narratives about aging players, particularly first basemen, influence team valuations and contract strategies. Some critics label Harper an “aging slugger,” suggesting declining market value, which in turn casts a shadow over Alonso’s long-term demands.
Scott Boris, Alonso’s agent, faces a delicate balancing act. On one hand, he aims for a lucrative seven-year deal; on the other, recent narratives about Harper’s potential decline suggest that long-term contracts for aging sluggers carry increased risk. This environment may push Boris and Alonso toward shorter contract negotiations with higher annual value, perhaps around four to five years, in an effort to mitigate risk.