Jeff Hathorne

You're taking what you believe in Connor Griffin and you're trying to find value there.

You're trying to get him for a long period of time at a number that would be under where he would be via free agency or arbitration.

And the sacrifice there is you're committing for seven, eight, nine years, whatever it is, and you're taking that quote unquote risk.

For a kid like Connor Griffin, for me, it's easy for me to say it's not my money, but the risk is much lower, right?

The off-the-field makeup's incredible.

The tools are incredible.

It's everything you would want in a baseball player.

That's why I just keep saying there's so much incentive to get this done because it checks those boxes.

So I think that's a good situation for them now and him both.

And Bob, if you do this right, if they do come up with a number that provides value the way they're looking, I think that's the way the contract would get done.

I mean, they could wind up saving like $20 million over what his market value would be, maybe more by committing now.

And you're committing now to a kid that literally gives you every reason to believe in him.

So yes, I agree.

Yeah, it does.

I just disagree with you.

At least to start.

If I'm the Pirates here, and I don't know which way they're going to go, but I look at what he did in spring training and pressing and trying too hard.

I don't want him to feel like that.

I don't care what he looks like 15 years from now.

I mean, I do, but I don't.