Sticking Points 2034.1: Pikemen sign Enrique Gomez

[aaronweiner]

Rockville has once again gone out and signed the top free agent on the market. The Pikemen signed two-time Steve Nebraska winner Enrique Gomez today to a six-year contract, taking him off the market in the first week of free agent action.

"We have today signed Enrique Gomez to a multi-year contract and both sides are clearly very happy," said Pikemen GM Aaron Weiner at a signing ceremony at Owen's Ordinary. "We think that Enrique is exactly the sort of player our ballclub needed to push us over the top."

Rockville last year completed a five-year rebuild by finishing above .500 for the first time since 2027 and led the Johnson League in runs allowed behind the strong dual efforts of Arthur Dempster and rookie Bob Coleman, as well as the strongest bullpen effort in the league. The former led the league in wins above replacement while the latter was second in the league in ERA (and 6th in WAR), and the pen allowed a league-low 2.82 ERA. Adding Gomez to this group should allow them to retain this status and might push them up a level or two.

"Rockville offered the best deal, but they also offered a great chance to win," said Gomez. "They have so much young talent, they have a great pitchers' park, great pitchers already in Arthur Dempster and Bob Coleman. They told me I would be the glue that put this team together, and I didn't see how I could turn something down like that."

Gomez finished second last year in Steve Nebraska voting, leading the league in WAR for the second time while posting a stellar 16-8, 3.08 line. In fact, Gomez has never been outside the top ten in the league in WAR. The righty carries a career 172-91 mark with a lifetime 3.02 ERA, Hall of Fame caliber numbers.

This marks the second time that Rockville has captured the top free agent on the market. Three years ago it was Valeri Kharlamov, who had a solid year for Rockville last year. This year, the Pikemen had to pay even more for Gomez, who will be paid $60 million over the first two years of the deal. However, the deal carries just $97 million in guarantees, as the Pikemen have vesting options in 2036 and 2037 that require Gomez to pitch at least 160 innings in 2035.

"We hope he gets ALL of his options," Weiner said. "He's the sort of player who can carry us over the top."

[7teen]

Madison and Rockville open the season against one another.

I'm poisoning the water in the visitor's clubhouse!

[aaronweiner]

I want the contract you could have offered him.

[udlb58]

I hate that Gomez is in the division

[ae37jr]

Rockville is going to be a playoff team this year.

[7teen]

I want the contract you could have offered him.

Could have offered? You mean DID OFFER!!! haha

[Rubaboo]

Man, I'm still bummed he signed with you and not me.

[aaronweiner]

I suspect the winning record last year helped the process.