Brains! 2063.7: Majid bin Husam Bought Out By Popular Demand

[aaronweiner]

It seemed that nobody wanted Jacksonville to keep Majid bin Husam, but it also appeared that nobody wanted anyone else to have him, either. Husam is getting some deserved time off after being bought out in a near-unanimous survey to do it. Team officials did accuse other owners of ballot stuffing, but the results were too overwhelming to ignore.

"Some guy pointed out that Big Papi earned $60 million per point of wins above replacement (WAR), and it just kind of snowballed from there," said GM Aaron Weiner. "Not to mention all the cocaine snowballs some people dropped before leaving comments. It was like nobody had any self-control about Big Papi. It's funny - he always said that happened with the girls, but I guess it's everyone."

The veteran DH had one of the largest contracts in the BBA this year and also next year, though only the third highest contract on the Zombies. There wasn't really a role for him in the lineup, either, as Paul Long (2.8 WAR) is clearly entrenched at first base, and the team has two DHs better than Big Papi: Majd bin Nawaf and Steve Holcombe.

"He didn't really have a role," Weiner said. "We could have kept him, but it works out better for everyone if we didn't."

One would have thought the team would have tried to unload Big Papi before they released him, but, again, nobody really liked this idea very much at all. It does create a bigger financial void for the team, but they turned a significant profit this year, have good reserves, and can handle the finances.

"Right now we're running at an operational loss for 2064, but we made a nice profit this year. Plus, we have all our dead money cleared up after next season," said Assistant GM Harold Higgins. "We're discussing what to do with that."

Jacksonville is already expected to part ways with former starting catcher Roy O'Donnell and backup outfielder Randolph Clarke in an effort to save money this offseason and improve their cap space, but the release of Big Papi creates a real glut of cap space which the Zombies will have to figure out how to use, or not.

"We kind of had the idea that if you lead the Johnson League in home runs and almost lead the league in runs that maybe you should try to sign a pitcher or two," said Higgins. "That feels right. We'll be discussing exactly what to do, and we think that adding Alex Swanson is a nice step in the right direction. But don't be surprised to see us fill the $20 million in cap space we think we're looking at."

The Zombies also believe that players like third-year player Mahilai Manaali, Rule V pick Bartolo Borquez, and prospect Tony Gallegos all have the possibility of improving next year.

[Trebro]

There's almost certainly a huge name opting out that could be an impact pitcher for whomever signs him. i imagine you'll be in on that depending on the ask.

[trmmilwwi]

Big Papi could end up in the GBC with all the other ex Outlaws.

[aaronweiner]

There's almost certainly a huge name opting out that could be an impact pitcher for whomever signs him. i imagine you'll be in on that depending on the ask.

It might be hard to get one of the top pitchers for "only" $20 million. I'm guessing their asks are starting in the mid-teens.

[Trebro]

There's almost certainly a huge name opting out that could be an impact pitcher for whomever signs him. i imagine you'll be in on that depending on the ask.

It might be hard to get one of the top pitchers for "only" $20 million. I'm guessing their asks are starting in the mid-teens.

Last year almost all the top pitchers took the first offer provided. So it might be possible to get one for less than a bidding war.

[aaronweiner]

There's almost certainly a huge name opting out that could be an impact pitcher for whomever signs him. i imagine you'll be in on that depending on the ask.

It might be hard to get one of the top pitchers for "only" $20 million. I'm guessing their asks are starting in the mid-teens.

Last year almost all the top pitchers took the first offer provided. So it might be possible to get one for less than a bidding war.

Yeah, I noticed that too. We'll see what happens.

[Krathan]

I’m glad to see Paul Long is playing well. I had high hopes for him before trading him to you.