Can you give too much away for a Nebraska winner in his prime? He'd asked himself this question several times during the winding talks with San Fernando GM Randy Weigand. Sure, Wullenweber was approaching an option year in the six-year contract he signed prior to the 2047 season. The possibility of him opting out and heading to free agency after the season was more likely than not, but adding the overpowering right-hander to a team that won 111 games a season ago was a Monty-Brewster-winning-type move. And Shoeless wanted to bring the championship back to home to Sacramento, a title under his stewardship.
Shoeless bent the straw to the side and sipped his drink straight from the glass.
"Can I get you another?" the bartender asked, already taking his empty and tossing the ice into the sink. "Or do you wanna change it up?"
The words brought a smile to Shoeless' face. "Yeah, why not? Right? Let's change it up." Shoeless glanced at the bottles behind the bar. "You got any top shelf shit no one drinks? Give me whatever you got hidden back there."
"Here you go. Don't waste any."
Shoeless nodded. He didn't plan on wasting the drink or the possible single year with Wullenweber in Sacramento blue. But, the pang in his stomach from what he'd given up wouldn't subside. The corner-piece of the deal was rookie centerfielder Wasim Ala'. His combination of elite power, a great eye at the plate, and acceptable defense in center made losing him to a division rival a tough drink to swallow. Ala' was also the only player in the deal Shoeless didn't have a replacement in the wings. After trading everyday centerfielder Arthur Daniel to the Cougars at the start of the offseason, Ala's name was black-sharpie'd onto the opening day lineup card. Now, the Popes would need to look deep within the organization, in a cupboard full of everything but rangy centerfielders
The depth within the minor leagues allowed for the other players in the deal to be somewhat expendable. Left-handed hitting middle infielder Marcello Custello looked to be a replacement at second base as early as the 2050 season when Francisco Arredondo will likely leave for free agency. The addition of several prospects via trade and the extension of shortstop Henri Charriere allowed for Custello's departure.
Also included in the deal were catcher Farid bin Mubarak, starter Kinzo Iwamoto, and prospect Adil Abdul-Ra'uf. The Popes were set to use up bin Mubarak's second option year with him in AAA this season, but, with stalwart short-side catcher Kazuki Saito under contract for three more years, the likelihood of bin Mubarak hitting the waiver wire when running out of options was an all too real possibility.
At 24 years old and sitting fourth in line to get a call up to Sacramento, Iwamoto was all too available to sweeten the deal. And the inclusion of Abdul-Ra'uf was a lottery ticket afterthought.
Shoeless swirled the amber liquid with his finger. "This the good stuff, huh?"
"The very best."
Shoeless raised the glass to his lips. "Let's hope so. Oh, and can you make sure @Jwalk100 in Hawaii pays for half of this?"
