The Huntsville Times
2038-10-31
At least two members of the Huntsville Phantoms starting lineup have told General Manager Vic Caleca that they will not enter contract extension talks and will, instead, enter free agency.
Infielder Leyli Yelanian, widely regarded as a major disappointment since joining the Phantoms in mid-2035 through a trade with Long Beach, has cleared out his locker and told teammates he is leaving the team.
Yelanian leaving
Outfielder Adrian Young also has told friends that he wants to test free agency and has cleared his belongings from the Clubhouse.
Both players had subpar seasons in 2038 and likely would not have been offered much in the way of extensions, even had they been willing to sign.
Caleca was succinct, if not colorful, in saying his goodbyes to both players.
“We thank both Leyli and Adrian for their contributions, but they have been adamant in their desires to leave Huntsville and we support them wholeheartedly in their departure endeavors,” he said.
“As a rule, we do not want anyone in the Phantoms clubhouse who does not want to be here. So, as my daddy always said, don’t let the door hit ‘ya where the Good Lord split ‘ya.”
Yelanian came to the Phantoms with what appeared to be an ideal skill set and background to succeed in Huntsville – a left-handed hitter with some power who should have been able to take advantage of the short right field fence in the Opera House.
Young ready to walk
It didn’t work out that way, though, and his production cratered immediately upon arrival: a .216/.303/.368 slashline in 2036; .231/.311/.383 in 2037; and .225/.328/.473 this past season.
Malcolm Wilkes, Johnson League columnist for BBA Weekly, said Yelanian’s performance was perplexing, to say the least.
“This was a guy who consistently hit in the .250s and .260s and was good for between 2.5 and 4.1 WAR every year, and it was like he forgot how to play baseball,” Wilkes said. “He bounced back a touch this last year, but not much. I think Huntsville is probably relieved as hell that he’s going.”
Young, who split time between the outfield and first base, also had a lackluster season at the plate in 2038, slashing .221/.311/.421 with 22 homers, 59 RBIs, and 0.3 WAR in 135 games.
“If he’s thinking he’s going to get a big payday in free agency, well, I wish him luck,” said Wilkes. “Again, I suspect the Phantoms aren’t exactly broken up that he’s going to walk.”
The Phantoms have players poised at the AAA level to move up and fill the holes, including outfielder Manny Cleide and infielders Fernando Navarro and Hakim Ngowa.
“None of these guys are exactly Hall of Fame material,” Wilkes said. “But look at it this way: how could they be worse than those guys they're replacing?”