09.21: Contract Extensions - Who Stays and Who Goes?

[agrudez]

In the midst of yet another whirlwind trade deadline for Omaha, few reporters were expecting non-trade news to break as the Omaha brass called a press conference on the first day of the all-star break this past Wednesday. That; however, is exactly what happened as GM Stever took the podium along with the agent of Omaha OF Eric Rouse to announce that the 29 year old had agreed to take a steep pay cut (from 8M to 3M per year) to stay a Barnstormer for the next 4 seasons.

At one time Rouse was considered one of the top young players in the MBBA, with 4 straight seasons of 4+ WAR and .87+ OPS to start his career (from ages 21-24) the young outfielder went into the ’05 season on top of the world and on top of his game. Another strong season (.833 OPS and 3.4 WAR) was cut short at the start of August by unexpected back spasms – and though no one knew it at the time, the future of the Barnstormer franchise would never be the same.

After limping through the ’06 season (.665 OPS and 0 WAR), Rouse has finally adjusted to his new limitations and has posted 3 straight (including this current season) respectable .76+ OPS seasons at ages 27-29 while remaining a threat when on base (30, 19 and 18 [pace] SBs during that span). Meanwhile, the elite defensive OFer (with GGs in both LF and RF throughout his young career) has accepted the task of learning the CF position and after roughly 1 full season of the attempt has finally begun to find his bearings at the slot (-5.6 ZR in 80 games this year vs. -19.8 ZR in 60 games last season) and every day looks more poised and confident patrolling center, where he projects to one day be an ‘8’ defensively.

Meanwhile, the re-signing of Rouse has sparked debate as to whom should receive the next extension. SP Mathew Krieger, newly acquired 2B Alfredo Mendez and IF Bill Ewing are all on pace to hit FA for the first time in their careers this offseason after completing the pre-requisite 6 years of major league service.

Krieger, a career Barnstormer, had once shown considerable promise as a starter; however, his well documented struggles against LHBs (.925 v. .765 OPS splits this season) has always kept him from taking that next step. Still, as a back of the rotation starter it would be difficult to replace him with the current state of MBBA FA and the 30 year old right-hander also has a history of success (3.6 FIP) as a reliever that should certainly not be discounted considering the sorry state of the Omaha ‘pen this season (6.1 ERA, dead last in the JL). For the right price it would be fool-hardy to not bring Krieger back to fulfill either capacity.

With the departure of 2 2Bs (and one other being heavily mentioned in trade rumors) the Barnstormers suddenly don’t have a glut at the position any longer, making Mendez a potentially integral piece for the short-term picture. In fact, the 30 year old left-hander would be the absolute perfect stop-gap for recently signed #4 overall top prospect Hank Randall whom projects, as of now, to be at least 2-3 seasons away from the majors. In his career Mendez has a +10.6 ZR in 157 games at 2B, which, coupled with Glen Smith at SS could be the single biggest need for the Barnstormers heading into next season and beyond (with an appalling .348 BABIP – good for dead last in the JL – this season). Offensively, Mendez is no slouch either, with a career .761 OPS in a career 1697 ABs and in his only seasons as a full-time starter (’04) the former #38 overall prospect posted a very respectable 2.3 WAR.

Throughout his career as a Barnstormer Ewing has always been a ‘good soldier’, doing whatever was needed of him. Under the old regime he was primarily a starting 3B; however, under new management he has been asked to contribute in a more suitable utility role. With a career .726 OPS and decent glove it would be ideal to bring the 31 year old back on a cheap deal to reprise his current aforementioned role; however, it remains to be seen which role Ewing envisions for himself… and his paycheck.

Overall, the Barnstormers have taken on considerable cash in recent days; however, they still project to currently have a very comfortable cushion (roughly 17M) under the MBBA salary cap with considerable dead weight eligible to be potentially cut in both the majors and AAA. Thus, particularly for the types of players mentioned above, money should be no object this offseason (yet again); however, even in a league where money means little, spending like a drunken sailor for long enough could potentially put one in a bind.