48.06 Financial/Player Decisions

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48.06 Financial/Player Decisions

Post by shoeless.db » Wed Oct 27, 2021 9:43 am

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The 2048 season has been one for the legends. The Mad Popes (102-46) command a 29 game lead over second place Portland in the Pacific with half of September yet to play, relying upon stellar seasons from gritty superstars like Alejandro Ortiz (7.3 WAR) and Keijo Reini (1.41 ERA over 95 innings) and optimistic performances from young prospects like Fred Roy (2.9 WAR and likely Newcomer of the Year candidate) and Marvin Winston (2.98 ERA over 166 innings). With little left to be decided, let's take a look at the Popes' offseason financial decisions and player options.

Alejandro Ortiz
When Sacramento traded away the face of the fanchise David Simpson during the 2045 season, many fans were skeptical of the Popes finding another power left-handed bat to fit into Simpson's gigantic shoes. Ortiz struggled in his first season in Sacramento in 2046, amassing just 0.8 WAR. The next year, he managed a respectable 3.9 WAR. This season, 2048, Ortiz exploded. He currently leads the Frick in both batting average (.373) and slugging (.614) and is second in OBP (.427). Ortiz also leads the BBA in doubles (61), nine more than second place.

Ortiz holds a player option after this season (another instance of a player taking off statistically in a decision year). If he decides to stay, he could earn $11.5m in 2049 and $12.5m in 2050. The Popes have team options for both those seasons, but, looking at Ortiz's numbers, they'd be insane not to keep him around. If he walks, his numbers will easily secure the Popes with a Comp A pick in the 2049 Draft.


Keijo Reini and Jim Armstrong

Both superstar pitchers came to the Popes during the offseason on one year deals. And both pitchers have been absolutely stellar out of the pen. Armstrong's $4m contract for the season has been a steal for Sacramento. Moving him to the bullpen for the first time in Armstrong's illustrious career, the wiley veteran with 232 career BBA starts posted a 1.69 ERA over 74.2 innings.

Both Reini and Armstrong have mountainous extension asks (as they should), and both will be given a solid handshake and a "good luck to you" as they move to free agency. Both could land the Popes Comp B picks in the 2049 Draft.


Juan Mendoza and Quant Kouros

Mendoza doubled down on a bounce-back year in 2047 with the Monty-winning Hustlers by slashing .327/.401/.540 in Sacramento as their short-side platoon at first base (if you're scoring at home, Sacramento first baseman have accumulated 8.7 WAR so far this season). The Popes would be tickled pink if Mendoza decided to play another year in Sacramento for $4m. He holds a player option after this season, while the Popes have a team option.

Kouros, on the other hand, found himself as the odd man out when Mendoza was signed late in Spring Training. The one-time superstar no longer reaches base like he did in his prime to make up for his lack of power, while his questionable defense at third base prompted Sacramento manager Fernando Pacheco to opt for Fred Roy at the hot corner. Kouros has a player option at the end of the year which the Popes hope he takes. Otherwise, the team hold two seasons of team options for 2049 and 2050, with a $1m buyout possible each season. Thanks for the memories, Quant!


Arthur Daniel and Sergio Salazar

Both centerfielders will come into arbitration in the $3m-$4m range, but both players have young (cheap) prospects knocking on the door for their positions. Daniel was almost given a longer term deal earlier in the season as he came out hot, hovering around a slashline of .300/.360/.360 while playing his typical all-world centerfield defense. Sadly, his second half performance has been nearly the opposite, hitting just .185 since the beginning of June. With Wasim Ala, who will be 24 at the start of 2049, showing he can be a manageable, power-hitting centerfielder in the BBA, Daniel's possible salary of $4m may just be too much for Sacramento brass.

Sergio Salazar's story this season is the complete opposite of Daniel. Floated for peanuts on the trade block after starting the season at just 1 for 13 at the plate and losing a point of OF range (from 9 to 8), Salazar figured his swing out and started living up to his "Chosen One" nickname. For the season as a short-side OF platoon, Salazar is slashing .318/.358/.488. With shoeless-favorite Pepe Rocha likely allowed to walk in free-agency this offseason, Salazar will likely be sent to arbitration if the two sides don't come to an agreement beforehand.


If all goes as thought (Ortiz, Reini, Armstrong, Kouros, and Daniel leave; Mendoza and Salazar stay), the Popes will have roughly $35m to spend in FA for 2049.
Sacramento Mad Popes (unretired)
-- Vic Caleca Team News Award Winner 2052
-- BBA Champion 2053
-- Pacific Champs 2040, 2042, 2043, 2047, 2048, 2049, 2051, 2053, 2054
Life is a bit more beautiful when time is measured by the half inning rather than the half hour.

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Re: 48.06 Financial/Player Decisions

Post by 7teen » Thu Oct 28, 2021 11:04 am

The deal Portland made to bring Daniel in was a good one. The one we made that sent Daniel to Sacramento was a not-so-good one.
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LB Surfers 95-96
FL Pac Champs: 95

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JL MW: 99-2009, 17, 20, 21
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BBA Champs: 04, 09

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FL WC: 49, 51
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Re: 48.06 Financial/Player Decisions

Post by shoeless.db » Thu Oct 28, 2021 1:06 pm

7teen wrote:
Thu Oct 28, 2021 11:04 am
The deal Portland made to bring Daniel in was a good one. The one we made that sent Daniel to Sacramento was a not-so-good one.
I remember feeling I was giving up too much in that trade. I was wrong.
Sacramento Mad Popes (unretired)
-- Vic Caleca Team News Award Winner 2052
-- BBA Champion 2053
-- Pacific Champs 2040, 2042, 2043, 2047, 2048, 2049, 2051, 2053, 2054
Life is a bit more beautiful when time is measured by the half inning rather than the half hour.

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