2063.10 - Adam Hines Has to Make a Decision on the $20mil Option

[R.Umali]

The Wednesday evening crowd at the Green Mill was heavier than usual. Even though it was not advertised, the patrons figured that Adam Hines would want to play and sing tonight. He had, after all, been guesting in the Delta Blues nights pretty much every night he's been in town.

It was a great night for the Green Mill, and Hines was his usual jovial and self-deprecating self on stage and off. He was a good foil for harp player Josey "J.J." Winters.

It was 3 AM and the only people left with the two musicians were the bartender and the bar back. A few of the fluorescents were on, the music was off, but the vibe of the club still retained. It was dark. It was late. There was whiskey.

"You know I won't talk, J.J. I can't talk." J.J. had been chief pester this whole season. Would Adam Hines execute his player's option and play with the Black Sox next year for $20 million. Even tonight, on stage, J.J. called him "20-boy instead of Nasty Boy."

"Yawd still be the most highest paid player on ya team, Adam. $20 mil and you still dip from my whiskey."

Adam pointedly raised a glass. Adam was set to make $20m next year, and the year after next. Carlos Moya was the 2nd highest-paid player on the Black Sox at $12m. And he was locked in until 2065.

From the bartender: "You mean 'my' whisky, J.J. And Adam, hate to be a biz-ness woman but we close out your tabs tonight. Don't want to wake up and see you've moved to Portland to be with your pal Dirk."

"That's Vancouver, prop-tress. Dirk Bessi's in Vancouver."

"Well we close those tabs tonight. Both of 'em."

J.J. raised eyebrows at Adam and called out to the bartender, "Which one's higher? 'Nasty' or 'Adam'?"

The bartender shook her head. "I'll only say this. The way Nasty's been, he better take that option. Take that guarantee."

Adam smiled. "I would not mind. But it would be 'prudent' - that's what my agent says - 'prudent' to get all the information."

The bartender called out, "J.J. He ain't the highest paid player on the Black Sox. He's the highest paid player in all of Brewsters, goddamnit."

J.J. yelled back, "Fifth highest! Or tied for it. Badr Isam the highest paid at something like $30m. And Resurrection Santos is for sure makin' more. Who else?"

Adam muttered, "I should make you my accountant."

"You wouldn't wanna know my fee, boy! Who else? Wafid Bishr?"

The bar back, washing the floors in some shadowed corner, called out, "Hector Silva over at Charm City is the highest paid pitcher. I can vouch for that. Won more games than you, ya bum."

"F you, Plicio."

They were all quiet and considered their lives. Simplicio (aka Plicio) was making just over minimum. The bartender, who yes, also owned the place, who knew how much she was making? What was known is that the competing facts of the riskiness of the bar biz and the eternity of the Blues, especially in this city, mixed to make something worthwhile. J.J. had his music and that sustained, even as adjuncting over at Roosevelt does not and never will.

And Adam? $20 million was nothing to scoff at. But could he become the highest paid pitcher? Did it matter? His mother was all about "self-advocacy" and "sticking up for what's your worth." But what was his worth? And his friends back in Brooklyn were like, "Go get paid." But, he was getting paid.

J.J. broke the reverie. "That game was low-down. The whole series against them Monsters was hexed. Rocky's got the Devil's own trouble doing Stevie Bodine dirty like that. And for some Canadian cornbread."

"Forrest got balls, J.J. He a good chicken. But Stevie. I know they tryin' to extend him but all's he wants is 1-year deals, 1-year deals. Then he's out of here I'm betting.

J.J. said, "That white boy is going to get paid."

"He a loyal m---er f---er, they'll get him to extend. Fans'll revolt. Plus, he's from Indiana."

Another bit of quiet.

J.J. broke it, in a soft, hoarse voice. "I'm sure glad I got to see you pitch in the playoffs, Adam."

Adam raised his glass and gave a rueful smile. It was his first playoff game of his 9-year career. He pitched Game 1 of the Wild Card Series up in Land O' Lakes Ballpark in front of an almighty crowd of 67,000 people. It was unreal. And even though he labored, Rocky kept him out there until the bottom of the 7th trailing by 1 run. God he wanted that win! Rocky and him both. "How ya' feeling, Nasty?" Rocky had said on the mound visit. "Ain't nothing but a chicken wing on a string, Rock," he had replied. "A chicken wing on a string."

The next batter, Raul Gallehos hit a double and that knocked him out because a left-handed batter, Pedro Aguilar, was coming in and well, he was already up to 110 pitches. They needed to keep it close and Orlando Rubio, followed by Augusto Ayala, did just that.

The Black Sox would tie it in next half of the inning on some risky base running by Tony Cochran - there may be some legacy yet! - but would lose in the 10th off a scorching 2-run homer by Phillip Warner off Nakamaro Hori. The roar from the crowd was beyond deafening. Adam and many of the other Black Sox stayed in the visitors dugout for quite a bit soaking it in. It had been enjoyable to be in a game like that in an atmosphere like that. When you realized just how much it meant. When you heard just how much it meant. Nearly a week later, the off-season upon him, he felt honored to have been in a part of that game.

Tonight's game, a 4-1 loss to get swept out of the 2063 playoffs, not so much.

[BaseClogger]

He should opt out.

[Trebro]

I will have a few things to say about this in my league feature coming up once Mike starts the 2064 year

[R.Umali]

He should opt out.

Before I started this TN I did not think he will opt out. But now, seeing that he had the his best season by WAR as well as a massive spike in K rate (10.6 up from 8.2 - that's insane! - and while slightly lowering his BB/9 ), I think the algorithm has him opting out.

[BaseClogger]

He doesn't know this but there are a dozen teams ready to throw funny money around at pitching and he would be by far the only stud pitcher on the market.

[Trebro]

He doesn't know this but there are a dozen teams ready to throw funny money around at pitching and he would be by far the only stud pitcher on the market.

I believe the game does factor in available salary cap cash.

[ae37jr]

I think he will opt out... but it's not clear cut. Everyone is going to point out that he will absolutely make more than $40 mil, albeit spread out over more years. That is a no brainer. But let's take the other side for fun.

Maybe it's in his best interest to opt in to the next 2 years and pocket the $40 mil, then hit free agency again at 32, in which he will probably still demand a 6 year max money deal. Where as if he signs a 6 year deal now, he won't hit FA again till 36 and isn't as likely to get a $40 mil contract. What if he blows out his arm next season? Well, he is an iron man whose only injury in his career was a day to day virus. That doesn't guarantee anything, but makes it a good bet.

[BaseClogger]

I’d see the over under of his next contract at $120M. Too many bad things can happen to not guarantee another $120M in career earnings.