"At a minimum, a hearty big league rate on a minor league deal like this tells us: (1) Carlson was heavily pursued on this kind of deal, and maybe even had an offer for a big league deal at a million or so; (2) he may have enough interest out there to be very confident in opting out of his minor league deal with the Cubs if he doesn't make the team;"
"(1) maybe Carlson falls into a unique space where no one was going to guarantee him a 40-man spot, but everyone was willing to pay him a decent salary *IF* he showed in the spring that he had turned a corner (he's only 27, after all); (2) if that big league rate with the Cubs is higher than any other team offered, it almost acts like a poison pill AGAINST Carlson opting out, since he might not get that much anywhere else;"
The deal structure includes a $2 million major-league salary and up to $1 million in incentives if Carlson makes the big-league roster. The sizable big-league rate on a minor-league contract indicates Carlson was pursued and may have had other offers. The contract gives Carlson leverage to opt out if he doesn't make the team, while also forcing the Cubs to be confident in carrying him because the salary becomes guaranteed once he makes the roster. The arrangement suggests roster flexibility was desired and affects the Cubs' bench competition for a fourth outfielder role.
Read at Bleacher Nation
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