Part 3/11:
Structuring a Fair Contract for Alonso
Ryan proposes a strategic deal that involves deferring $50 million of the total value—a common practice among teams like the Dodgers—to lower the average annual value (AAV) and facilitate a more manageable luxury tax impact.
He suggests the Mets offer five years and $150 million, with $20 million per year and $10 million deferred annually—roughly a $26.35 million AAV. This structure aligns Alonso’s real value with the league’s tax thresholds and offers him a compelling “big number” while helping the team manage its payroll.