November 16, 2059
by Banjo Jackson
Nashville, TN
Hours before arbitration began, the Bluebirds reached a long-term agreement with star shortstop, Brooks Eliot. The agreement will keep Eliot in Nashville for six years and he will receive a hefty pay increase to $19 million for 2060 with the following five years paying a $14 million salary.
“I love playing here, obviously,” said Eliot. “We have the best fans in the world and I get to play for my dad. It would be nice if he stopped calling my salary an allowance, though. We have a lot of unfinished business here in Nashville. We have let down the fans the past couple seasons and they deserve to see another banner lifted. I plan to help deliver in the next six years.”
SS Brooks Eliot
It doesn’t appear that Eliot took a hometown discount to stay in Nashville, though in a tough market for shortstops, he may have fetched more than his $89 million over six years. As mentioned last month, the departure of bin Nawaf allowed this move to take place. The four-time playoff series MVP locks up one of the most important positions in baseball and provides a great mentor for Luke Cage, who may be forced to second base to become Eliot’s double play partner.
“I’ve always looked up to Brooks,” said Cage. “He is the best SS in the league and I emulate my game after him by being a good contact hitter with smooth defense. He makes it look so easy and I hope to play with him one day.”
The Bluebirds head into free agency with around $20 million in cap space. There wasn’t quite enough margin to sign Eric Stevens to a long term deal, but he may receive an extension mid-season before he heads to free agency.
