That's What Cheesehead: 38.45 - Pep Encouraged to Step

[7teen]

With the 2038 season winding to an end, the Madison Wolves front office has already started looking ahead to off-season plans as to what the team might need to do in order to be somewhat competitive again in 2039. While hope appears pretty much lost right now for this current roster, trying to be competitive next season may be all tall task. With no pitching and only about $6 million in projected cap space for next season, there isn't much room for improvement. One thing that would help is some salary flexibility and Wilson commented on that today.

"Well we tried to make some moves at the deadline but nothing really materialized. We may re-open some ideas come this winter to see if we can move a few big contracts but the market for guys like Jon Mick and Mons Raider seems to be pretty thin. We thought someone may take a bite on Hinson as catcher is a pretty thin position in the league too but no luck. We'll open the block on all 3 this off-season to see what happens but there is one move that could open up some flexibility. And that's with Pep."

Pep is 38 year old pitcher Enrique Gomez. The 38 year old future Hall of Famer signed with the Wolves this past off-season to a 1-year guaranteed contract with a pair of options tacked on. The 2039 option is the key one for Madison next season as it is a player option that Gomez will choose to either void or accept that will pay him $12.5 million in 2039, the same amount he made in 2038.

The Wolves had hoped the veteran Gomez could help give a poor rotation a boost despite growing long in the tooth. Despite his staff leading 2.1 WAR, Gomez has not been very good elsewhere. He's appeared in 38 games this season with 26 of those being starts and has a 4-12 overall record with a 6.30 ERA and 1.77 WHIP. He's already allowed more runs this season than he has in any other previous season of his career, despite also throwing the fewest innings ever. He's also struck out 6 fewer batters than any previous season. He's projected to make 2 more starts this season.

"We've had conversations with Gomez and his agent, but haven't gotten much of a response" said Wilson. "We told Pep we'd love to see him void that option and go back on the open market but the power is all on his side. We could sure use that money to do some other things with but it's all up to Pep."

Pep has played the decision for 2039 close to the vest and has refused to take questions on his plans for 2039. HIs agent has commented recently by stating "Pep has had a down year. We know the pay is good for next year. It's typically not wise to walk away from guaranteed money after a bad season. But Madison is heading nowhere fast and playing here does little for Enrique's legacy. He doesn't want to go out like this."

So the team waits. Regardless of Gomez's decision, the Wolves have a lot of things to fix on the pitching side and with limited resources to do it.