Sticking Points 2049.6: Rockville Out, Releases Bing-de Zhao, Looks To Next Steps

[aaronweiner]

For the first time since the 2033 season, the Rockville Pikemen will spend October at home. Their record-tying 15th straight playoff appearance was broken with their lowest win total since 2033 as well, as the Pikemen posted just 87 wins in a up and down season that featured a lot more transition than it appeared.

"We didn't have it all together this year, and it showed," said Rockville manager Denny Dooley. "There were just a lot of things that came at us this year and we had to figure them all out."

It's a little soon to call this the death throes of a long dynasty. Rockville finished just three games back of a wild card, and by run differential they were right in there with both New Orleans and Calgary. Rockville did make one significant subtraction right after the season, however, releasing DH Bing-de Zhao, whose 2048 and 2049 seasons couldn't justify keeping his $15 million a year salary.

"We love Bing. We're going to miss Bing," said Rockville GM Aaron Weiner. "What an amazing player he was when he was healthy, and just an incredible guy and clubhouse presence. But he hasn't been the same, and he's expressed interest in a change of scenery, and we're giving him that - and $44 million. No hard feelings we think."

The bigger question is what Rockville will do with last year's starting DH, Matthew Reilly. Reilly posted the sort of year where he's primed to cash in, and it's the sort of year which Rockville had been waiting for. Reportedly Reilly wants a contract with an annual total of 8 figures, which probably means he's going to free agency. Similarly, we're not sure that Rockville is on board for paying $5.5 million for Po-sin Shi, whose bat speed noticeably declined last year and who would definitely be a free agent after next year anyway.

"Obviously Po-Sin and Matthew are big questions for us to answer," said Weiner. "But we have some flexibility in the way we handle this offseason, and we got back cap space for 2051 too, so we do have some options looking forward."

The Pikemen did have quite a bit of good news this year, and probably fewer lineup spots to replace than one might expect for a team losing stars as they are, and a little cap space again for the second time in two years. They'll have a lot of questions to answer after next season, as three of their biggest stars have opt-outs. But given the team's success over time, it's a surety that they'll try to figure it out.

"We have every reason to believe we'll be competitive going forward," said Weiner. "We may not be in a position to start a new 15-season playoff streak, but you never know."

[GoldenOne]

That's quite the expense, releasing Zhao. Should make for an extra interesting FA timeframe.

[7teen]

When you have the budget room it's an easier move to make. I'm sure Rockville has some cash in the coffers to make it work. I'm planning to do the same with O'Brien as soon as we are eliminated, granted that's an easier move to make than Zhao. But also why I'm trying to crank out as many PPs this season as possible to cover any financial moves I may need to make the next year or two.

[tylertoo]

So, if I understand this correctly -- Rockville eats $45 million for his '50 and '51 salaries?

[aaronweiner]

Cash is never an issue with the Pikemen. It's budget room, as you said, that's the difficulty here. Goal is to trick the system somewhat as the bigger budgetary issue is in 2051 and I might sign someone who's around in 2051.

[aaronweiner]

So, if I understand this correctly -- Rockville eats $45 million for his '50 and '51 salaries?

Actually what happens is I eat $15 mill next year, then about $30 mill in 2051.

[GoldenOne]

So, if I understand this correctly -- Rockville eats $45 million for his '50 and '51 salaries?

Actually what happens is I eat $15 mill next year, then about $30 mill in 2051.

What happens is you eat the remaining value of his salary from this year, which shouldnt be much, you add in the 14.8 from next year and then the 29.8 from 2051. That comes to around $45 total. That gets spread out over the remaining years of of the contract and since 2049 counts as a remaining year, that's 3 years. The $15M gets added to expenses for 2049, 2050, and 2051. You dont pay it all in one year or pay what the contract shows in that year.

[aaronweiner]

I'm pretty sure that's not true, but okay, maybe. I don't see it showing up in 2049. If that were true it's kind of a huge advantage.

[usnspecialist]

I'm pretty sure it spreads it evenly over the remaining years, regardless of how much time is left in that year.

[Dington]

I'm pretty sure that's not true, but okay, maybe. I don't see it showing up in 2049. If that were true it's kind of a huge advantage.

Let us know how it plays out.

[aaronweiner]

I mean I'd really love to put $15 million on this year's total. If that happens woot!

[bcslouck]

It should tell you how it was split up in your finances if you've already cut him.

[aaronweiner]

Just says over three years.