2051.6: Options

[Rubaboo]

As has been the case for several seasons now the Aztecs have spent the free agency period signing players to multi-year deals with Player Opt-outs after year 1. This gives the player the ability to stick with the team if they choose but also gives the team some flexibility around not necessarily being locked into a player. 2051 was no different, and was perhaps Mexico City GM Fred Holmes' master class on this strategy as several of the free agents brought in for 2051 were key contributors for the franchise's first division title in 13 years. The other shoe drops now, however, as these players can fly the coop and leave the team back at square 1. Let's look through the upcoming option decisions from both the player side and the team side.

Player Opt-Outs/Options
OF Felipe Vega
2051 Stats: .307/.378/.566, 41 HRs, 139 RBI, 148 OPS+, 4.6 WAR
What's on the table: 5 years, 11.5M AAV
Vega took his excellent play from Brooklyn to Mexico City and was stellar in the heart of the Aztec lineup. He's 32 years old, and has the option to back to free agency to try to cash in again. Or, he can just opt into the contract he agreed to last season and make $11.5M for the next 3 years until a team option after the 2054 season.
Stay or Go:
His age complicates things here a bit but he was excellent in 2051. I would imagine if he goes he could get a similar contract, value wise, to what he has now. I don't have a good feel for this one, it's all up to the OOTP gods.

3B Alex Ramirez
2051 Stats: .293/.398/.496, 28 2B, 28 HR, 93 RBI, 121 RS, 137 OPS+, 7.6 WAR
What's on the Table: Team Options for $8.5M for 2052 and 2053
Ramirez was a revelation for the Aztecs in 2051 at 35, pacing the team in WAR.
Stay or Go:
Ramirez will almost certainly opt out and head back to market, looking to cash in once more at 36. I'm almost 100% sure he's gone.

3B Steven Collins III
2051 Stats: .308/.381/.474, 29 2B, 22 HR, 120 RS, 125 OPS+, 5.3 WAR
What's on the Table: $7.6M in 2052, $5.6M in 2053
Collins came over at the deadline from Boise and was exceptional in his short time in Aztec colors. At 34 he showed he definitely still has some tread on the tires. He would almost certainly get a better offer on the open market than what he has left on his current deal.
Stay or Go:
Please opt in, please opt in, please opt in. PLEEEEEAAAAAASSSSEEE! I've always loved Collins, but I fear he's almost certain to leave.

Team Options
3B Manny Collazo
2051 Stats: .253/.302/.418, 31 2B, 17 HR, 90 OPS+, -0.6 WAR
What's on the Table:$11.7M in 2052 with another Team Option for the same amount in 2053.
Ahh, Collazo. A Mexico City institution. He's been a good player but OOTP beat him with the same stick it hit Corfield with this season. Collazo's numbers this season won't do for what I paid him this season.
Stay or Go:
I'm leaning towards declining Collazo's option this offseason. I think I could get him back, or sign a similar replacement, this offseason for considerably less than the almost $12M he's due on his current deal. Numbers like he put up this season can't be tied to a $12M contract on a team that's trying to compete.

CL Manuel Cruz
2051 Stats: 50 G, 3-6, 33 SV, 2.60 ERA, 3.20 FIP, .98 WHIP, 174 ERA+, 1.5 WAR
What's on the Table: $4M for 2052.
Cruz has been very good since I signed him in 2047. Good relievers don't grow on trees.
Stay or Go:
I'll probably keep him. He got hurt at the end of the year but has been very good since he got here.

*Alex Ramirez also has a team option for 2052. If he opts in I'm probably going keep him.

[indiansfan]

Ramirez had an amazing year at his age.

[woods]

I'm still intent on bringing SC3 back to Boise next year. Mexico's nice for a two-month vacation, but no one wants to actually move there.