2063.04 - Richard Lawrence Signs Extension on July 21 (Saturday)

[R.Umali]

Richard Lawrence could not slap his hand down on the whole palm reader fast enough. The signing was largely ceremonial and attended by only few of the Chicago beat writers. The real documents were signed an hour ago in assistance GM's Alfredo Aragon's office. As far as contract extensions go, negotiations for this one was quite smooth: Lawrence wanted a 1-year contract for $3.8m and a guarantee to be the closer for the Chicago Black Sox. He got it.

The lefty from North Las Vegas had gambled on himself and won, eventually.

Drafted in the 2nd round in the 2046 draft by the Mexico City Aztecs organization, he worked his way up the system and made his debut with the Aztecs in 2051. The Aztecs won the Brewsters the following year, with Lawrence registering 23 saves in a shared closer role with John Avery, who had 17. The Aztecs were in the midst of a strong run of 9 consecutive years of reaching the playoffs.

Lawrence signed a 6-year contract extension worth $13.5m in 2057 that included a player option in the 6th year, which for a variety of reasons, he did not take. Things were looking bleak for him as his usage plummeted from 81 appearances and 18 saves in 2060 down to 37 appearances and out of the closer role in 2062.

Chicago was the first and one of the only teams vying for his services in the off season. The offer felt like a lowball to start the negotiations: 1 year for $1.5m, exactly the amount he just turned down. But his 5.37 ERA, unseemly 1.5 HR/9 rate, and 25:40 BB:K ratio over 55.1 innings last year did not give him much bargaining power. Still, his agent urged patience and to wait for the market to develop. Chicago was going hard on Augusto Ayala, who saved 80 games for Montreal the last two years. Chicago would end up getting Ayala on a 2-year/$9.6m contract with a player option.

In spring training, Ayala and Lawrence pitched to sub 3 ERAs. Ayala had 2 saves and 3 holds to Lawrence's 2 holds. Crucially, though, Ayala had two 2 losses to Lawrence's none. Yes, it was only spring training and yes Ayala was guaranteed a closer role but Lawrence grabbed the opportunity and did not let go. He had 9 saves by the end of April. By the midway point in the season, he had 29 saves, no blown saves, and his second All-Star game appearance. In that game, he would pitch a perfect 5th. Oddly enough, his teammate Adam Hines saved the game for the Frick League All-Stars.

To tie a bow to it: Lawrence's gamble on himself paid off.

On July 29, he signed a 1-year contract worth $3.8m, the most he's ever made in a season. And, for what it's worth, he was guaranteed the closer role. The evening after the signing, he promptly blows a save (his 2nd this season, all occurring in the past week) and backs into a win against the Bluebirds.
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Chicago signed 3 bullpen arms in the previous off season and Lawrence was the only one that has really paid off.

Augusto Alaya, the closer for the Blazers the previous two years, and for the Gamblers four years before that, had come into the Black Sox with 213 saves, a 2-year contract worth $9.6m, and a guaranteed closer role which the Black Sox have not honored. While the clubhouse chemistry is measured as "ecstatic" only he and catcher Dale Olds are unhappy about their roles on the team. Understandably so. Ayala is also unhappy about his performance: 3-1 but with a 5.22 ERA, no saves, 16:25 BB:K ratio over 29 middle relief innings.

The other reliever Chicago signed is 34 year old Christian Walker, who last pitched in the BBA for the Swamp Foxes during their inaugural year in Cape Fear. If Walker was middling then, he's downright bad now. Over 11 appearances, he has a 7.85 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP and has given up 5 HR in 18.1 IP.

1 out of 3 ain't bad.

[Dington]

Egan candidate this year, for sure.