Portland's efforts to try and build a pitching staff that can be competitive in 2058, and get fans excited, took another positive step this week as we approach spring training. The Lumberjacks front office signed 5 more arms that the club hopes can put up some respectable performances in 2058.
Renato Lacerda signed the most lucrative of the five deals by inking a 3 year deal that will pay the popular reliever $3.6 million a season. At 40 years of age, it's rather surprising the team would do a 3 year deal but Lacerda hasn't shown many signs of slowing down. In 71 innings last season, he posted a 2.54 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with Edmonton. Over his 19 year career, he has never had a negative WAR. "Lacerda is a veteran presence and a possible hall of famer at that" commented GM Chris Wilson. "He's 4th all-time in saves. Sure, he's getting up there in age but his performances show he can still cut it in the BBA. Considering where we are right now with pitching, we're ecstatic to add Lacerda to the fold."
Manuel Camacho has signed a 1 year deal for $2.6 million and will likely swing between the rotation and bullpen depending on team needs. The team needs starting pitching and Camacho has the repertoire to be in the rotation. However, he's only started 69 games in his 497 career appearances. The last time he was a full-time starter (2050) it didn't go well. However, he has started at least one game in every year of his 14 year career that spans time in the GBC and BBA. Susila Kartosuwiryo is another guy in a similar situation with Camacho that Portland has just signed. Susila signed a 1 year deal for $1.3 million and will float between the rotation and bullpen. Coincidentally both have spent the last few seasons with Des Moines.
Rounding out the signings are Derrick Chaney and Tomas Franco. Chaney signs on for 3 years at $1.9 million a year. He struggled last year with Calgary so Portland is hoping for a bounceback from the 36 year old. Franco is a cheap addition (1 year, $950K) who will battle as a bottom of the rotation starter or long reliever this spring.
All together, Portland has now signed 8 pitchers this off-season and picked up one more in the Rule 5 draft. The front office has spent about $19 million for the 2058 season in pitching alone.
