-Manama Tribune
November 20th, 2042
The Manama Pearls are just starting to put their 2042 season behind them where the team finished .500 or better for the first time since their inaugural season in 2037. However, the season and its record is not the only thing being left behind, the Pearls are saying goodbye to a handful of players that spent quality time in Manama and in playing a huge part in the five-year playoff run that came to an end in 2042.
The Pearls are parting ways with RF/3B Laurent Fernandez, who saw time in 92 games last season at two positions, started 89 of them, and hit for a .258 average. In 2041, Fernandez hit for a .281 average, earned a 3.4 WAR, and was awarded the BURT Platinum Stick Award for being the best RF batter in the division. Unfortunately for Fernandez, the Pearls are looking to sign a younger, better 3B, and wanting to move 3B Rob Thomas to a DH-role. And Fernandez simply cannot compete with the Pearls outfield that is already stacked at the UMEBA level, and prospects are banging at the door from both AAA and AA. Fernandez was not offered arbitration and has not responded to questions from the Manama Tribune.
SP Angel Guerrero was also not offered arbitration from the Pearls' front office despite being a two-time BURT league all-star in 2039 and in 2041. In 2041, Guerrero led the BURT in wins, starts, HR/9, and WAR. And even though Guerrero posted a 2.5 WAR in 2042, the Pearls simply did not see the value in offering a 37-year-old SP the $4 million+ that Guerrero and his agent are seeking. The Pearls are again in the market for starting pitching as they await long-term prospect SP Norman Chivers who is still recovering from a torn flexor tendon and still expected to miss another full calendar year. The Pearls will probably look to sign one or two UMEBA-ready starting pitchers, or stretch one of the fringe-players from their AAA-club, the Khartoum Racers.
The Pearls' front office must be happy after winning every single one of their arbitration hearings and saving a ton of money. However, now the pressure is on them to spend the $20 million in cap space wisely. Sources have confirmed that the Pearls have already extended offers to ten or eleven free agents, some of them for around the $4 million/year range.
GM Dillon Lowery will be entering his third off-season with the Pearls and is trending upwards. He has publicly stated that he likes the way the team is playing, and the coaches are all on the same page. When asked about the goals for the next season with the added competition from the 2042 UMEBA Expansion, Lowery responded, "It's an exciting time for the UMEBA. When I came to the league in 2040, it was a struggle to get free agents to pick up the phone. Now agents are calling me. I wouldn't trade this for an 'easier' season. Ever."
The Manama Tribune will be following all of the Pearls' off-season moves, and asking the big question: Is 2043 a cornerstone year for GM Lowery and the Pearls?
Diamonds and Pearls 2043.1 - Big Departures Kicking Off Bigger Off-season
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Re: Diamonds and Pearls 2043.1 - Big Departures Kicking Off Bigger Off-season
Nice summary for the first week of the offseason.
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