Cairo Roster Gyrations
By Khepri Quraishi, Egypt Today Sports
December 5, 2048
As the 2048 season drew to a close, there were the inevitable roster gyrations prior to the start of free agency. Here’s what happened:
- Late in the season, Cairo management was faced with a dilemma – outfield signee Juan Rocha was having a banner year. But he wanted more for an extension than Cairo could offer given projected 2048 salary cap restrictions. The solution was an unfortunate one. The team released arguably their most talented starting pitcher, Johan Trojka, and paid off his 2049 team option, thus saving $7.0 million in 2049 cap space and $5.5 in cash. That allowed resigning Rocha to a $7.8 million contract for 2049. He has a player option for $8.2 million for 2050.
- Michel Noël was Hitter of the Year for Cairo in 2047, but his stats plummeted in 2048. He rejected his player option for 2049 and became a free agent. That freed up $2.75 million in space for Cairo for next year.
- Competive balance signee Juan Nicto was a big disappointment in 2048. Cairo had $1.5 million team options for him in 2049 and 2050. Nicto chose to retire and Cairo saves his entire $1.5 million salary for 2049 without having to pay the buyout in the contract.
- Reliever Robert Hobbs and infielder Tyler Shacklady were not offered extensions and allowed to walk at year end.
