Aside from the big trade with Montreal a couple weeks back, the offseason was a quiet one for the Mad Popes. The only signing of any consequence to this point was a flier on a possible 5th starter option in Shotaro Kawamura. But, with little money to spend, Shoeless looked for bargains, stumbling upon one in one-time California Crusader, Knut Zeitler.
Knud Zeitler
Even when Shoeless said the words out loud, he knew it was still a huge gamble. Zeitler had suffered his second torn UCL while pitching for Twin Cities in September. Recovery from such an injury was difficult, so it was anyone's guess what kind of pitcher he'd be when he returned. But, the thought of having Zeitler pitching again at South Pacific Field would certainly rile up the fan base. He was a fan favorite before being sent away in a giant player swap with Nashville in 2037, which included a young outfield prospect named, David Simpson.
"Just let me know when you hear anything."
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January 20, 2043 (AP) -- Sacramento Mad Popes signed free agent SP Knud Zeitler to a 4-year contract worth a total of $17,200,000. Details of the deal are: $3.2m in year one; $4m in year two, followed by a player opt-out; then $5m team option years in years three and four.