2036/4 Mills a Goner(?)

[nerfHerder]

Matt Mills was drafted by the Hawaii Tropics in the first round of 2025. Being the 13th pick while the team was wrapping up a Landis win almost seemed unfair at the time. You know, the rich get richer. There weren't crazy high hopes for him at the time. Don't forget that this was the era where it was tough to even get anybody of value in the draft. Kids in those days were more interested in the sport of Jai-Alai. The professional league in Florida was able to poach these young kids with big endorsement deals. Mills though, chose to report to the Gaylord Sting Rays and begin his baseball career.

He had moderate minor league success, spending six years in various levels as a starting pitcher that never missed a start. After a disastrous spot start in 2030, Mills got the call in Hawaii for 2031. All he's done the past six years is make EVERY start and throw around 200 innings. He owns a career 4.14 ERA in just over 1,200 IP. Will this consistency get him a new contract in Hawaii? They certainly have the money. He's a popular guy around town, and a leader in the clubhouse. Is he worth $9M? The best guess is a low ball offer will be thrown his way, he'll decline and hit free agency. There he will sit until the middle of spring and then sign a one year deal for peanuts, and maybe an option or two. What do you all think? Drop your thoughts below!

[Ted]

That's tough. He's nothing to get excited about, but like you said, an ability provide innings with a mid 4 era is worth something. I don't think 9 million somethings though. Problem is, depending on how desperate someone is, he might get more than that in FA. I think you only extend him at that price if it's a 4 or fewer year deal, you know that you won't need the money going to him until the deal is over, and you don't have other options. The most surefire way to guarantee losing is to pay middling players like they are good.

[nerfHerder]

Agreed. Your last line about paying middling guys big money has been my downfall since forever. Thanks for some insight.

[RonCo]

Yeah...if someone else pays him $9M per, you just tip your hat and move on realizing that you've let a competitor overpay. He's #4 (at best) on a contending team. You can find someone else to give that $9M to if need be, and that someone will be considerably less than 34 years old.

The only caveat to over-paying middling-to-low payers is if you're pretty sure he's the guy who gets you over the hump or if you're in rebuild mode and you just need to win a few games to keep the finances up. Even then, as Ted says, you'll want to restrict the years.

[7teen]

Yeah pretty much what everyone else said. Probably a guy you can keep for a lowball deal but not worth more than 9.

I wouldn’t be surprised as well if he’s a guy that sits in FA for a few sims. His demands will be insane at first and then signs with someone for under $6 million.

[nerfHerder]

Yeah pretty much what everyone else said. Probably a guy you can keep for a lowball deal but not worth more than 9.

I wouldn’t be surprised as well if he’s a guy that sits in FA for a few sims. His demands will be insane at first and then signs with someone for under $6 million.

That’s what I’m thinking. We’ll see how it goes. Thanks for the input.