With the UMEBA's arbitration-filing deadline looming, let's take a look at the cases facing the Bucharest Balauri:
NAME | CURRENT | OFFER |
---|---|---|
Mike Román, LF | $1,852,500 | $2,223,000 |
Reggie Gascoigne, SP | $170,000 | $260,000 |
Tony Ángel, C | $170,000 | $212,500 |
Roberto Ramírez, 2B | $170,000 | non-tendered |
Gascoigne can credit any off-season bump in pay to his last eight starts of 2038 in which the tall Irish righty put up a 3.85 ERA. Gascoigne was one of only two starters to reach the 200-inning mark this past season for the club and his durability will be welcomed at the back-end of the Balauri rotation come 2039. Bucharest will be happy to pay Gascoigne whatever the arbitration panel declares.
Ángel is one of the leaders in the clubhouse for Bucharest and will undoubtably be rewarded for it during the arbitration process. What "Fluke" lacks in offense, he makes up for it with a veteran presence, enough so that Ángel is currently penciled in as the club's starting catcher for 2039 despite splitting time with Artie Brooks this past season. Behind closed doors, many believe the Bucharest front office see Ángel as a backup and intended to improve the catching situation via trade or free agency, but the club is happy to bring back the veteran in some capacity next year.
As expected, Bucharest is ready to part ways with Ramírez, 33, after the surly veteran hit .226/.324/.387 in only 60 games this past season. While Ramírez has shown above-average patience at the plate and a passable glove at second base, the front office is moving towards a younger, more positive clubhouse, two factors that Ramírez can't overcome.