We Got Wood - 44.17 - Portland Avoids Arbitration with 2 Key Players

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The Portland Lumberjacks front office announced today that it has signed 1 year contracts with two of its key, young players as a way to avoid arbitration hearings this off-season. Both catcher Pedro Gomez and shortstop Robert Menzies were up for their first year of salary arbitration this off-season but the team avoided that by reaching a contract agreement with both.

Gomez will make $3.3 million next season while Menzies will make an even $5.0 for the Lumberjacks in 2045. Gomez, with a 3.0 WAR, is having his best season to date and proving the Lumberjacks may have made the right call acquiring a solid young catcher in a blockbuster trade with New Orleans last season. Menzies, who missed most of the first half of the season with an injury in spring training, has returned with a bang and has put up a 2.1 WAR in just 53 games played since he's returned.

"We are glad to lock both guys up and avoid any hearings" said Lumberjacks GM Chris Wilson. "We feel these two guys are key pieces to the Lumberjacks offense for the next decade as we try and climb our way out of the basement of the Frick. They are pieces we can build around if we can just find the right offensive pieces around them. Not to mention, you can't go wrong spending your money on key positions like catcher and Shortstop."

Fan interest jumped slightly with the short term signings of both Gomez and Menzies as the organization looks to play damage control with a fanbase that is beginning to lose interest in Portland after five consecutive losing seasons.