Bobby Beat 2005 v3: Offseason Wrap: FA Signings

[jiminyhopkins]

Washington, DC--

After losing money last season, the franchise didn't have much money to play around with. The club made a half-hearted attempt at Mexican free agent reliever Pablo Romero, but the budget at the time would not allow the Bobbies to follow other clubs into insanity territory.

According to an anonymous source, the club actually had to request a special dispensation from the MBBA League Offices just to get out of the red. The league obliged, and that allowed the Bobs to swoop in at the last minute and land a pretty significant part of their rotation for 2005 and beyond.

LF Robert Webb was the first free agent signed, for 1 year/500k. He was meant to replace last year's backup OF Don Robinson. However, while the offer was being reviewed by Webb and his agent, Washington unexpectedly landed LF Ramon Villon in the Rule V Draft. The Bobs of course still honored their offer, but it meant that Webb would have to start the year in AAA.

Aside from a few minor league free agents, the only other player brought in was the big one: SP Oscar Funke. The Funke One agreed to a 5 year/$45 million deal that included two option years. The veteran righthander, who is 101-71 with a 3.44 career ERA in 7 seasons, will slot in at #2 behind Bobby ace Chip Foodie, and together they hope to bring some respectability to the oft-maligned Washington pitching staff.