Trading Petersen
I've been on the trade Petersen bandwagon for a while, even if it would cost us a future 1st rounder. The reason is simple. It gets us the salary space we need (assuming Walker is also traded) without giving up a player that is otherwise useful.
However, I think there's a way to trade him without having to throw in a first.
Next season, $4 million of Petersen's contract is in the form of a signing bonus. That is paid in July. If he's traded after his signing bonus is paid, while the acquiring team is stuck with his cap hit, it only has to pay him $1 million for the season. Petersen is owed $6 million in the last year of his contract. Buying that out would cost $2 million per year for two years. That means a team trading for him would end up paying him $5 million total over three years.
Under that scenario we may be able to find a taker for a second round pick and one of our young players.
However, I think there's a way to trade him without having to throw in a first.
Next season, $4 million of Petersen's contract is in the form of a signing bonus. That is paid in July. If he's traded after his signing bonus is paid, while the acquiring team is stuck with his cap hit, it only has to pay him $1 million for the season. Petersen is owed $6 million in the last year of his contract. Buying that out would cost $2 million per year for two years. That means a team trading for him would end up paying him $5 million total over three years.
Under that scenario we may be able to find a taker for a second round pick and one of our young players.