Omaha signs Shafer.(42.05)
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2020 10:57 am
Omaha has been eerily quiet on the free-agent front so far this off-season, something that was unsettling for fans in Nebraska who were unsure of where Omaha was even planning to go this off-season despite GM Justin Niles’s “we always strive to win” commercials.
Heading into the final stages of free agency, Omaha was sitting at a positive 0.9 WAR gained this off-season despite having signed 0 players. The positive 0.9 was due to the retirement of outfielder Alfredo Martinez who played with the club briefly last season before announcing his retirement at the end of the year and likely finding his way to the Hall Of Fame.
Well, Omaha removed some doubt last night with the announcement on twitter from outfielder Virgil Shafer that he had agreed to terms with the Hawks and was looking forward to his time in Omaha. It left some happy because Omaha had finally done something, while it left others questioning Omaha’s motives when they already have an outfield of Jimmy Starks Jr. , Orlando Ordonez, and Andre Ly.
Wait does this mean that Omaha is moving Ly as rumored last year or that they are cutting bait on Starks after his disappointing season? One Twitter user said.
Well, it’s likely neither.
Jimmy Starks has an opt-out after this coming season and if he so wishes to use that, it is likely Omaha wanted some sort of backup after the trade of prospect Brett Powers last week. But what if Starks stays? Well, it’s likely that Shafer can fill in in a flash for Ly against left-handed pitchers, of which Ly has struggled consistently against.
As for the actual contract, Shafer actually is getting $16,500,000 of his guaranteed $35,500,000 this season alone. He could opt-out after this year and pocket a cool $16,500,000 for one season of play. Otherwise, he could come back and earn another $11,500,000 next season and $7,500,000 in 2044. He will also make an extra $1,000,000 if he reaches 500 plate appearances each year and take home an additional $250,000 for each All-Star nod.
So lots of questions this season and with this contract, however, I am sure of one thing. Omaha will likely find room for Shafer and his 3.1 WAR from last season as long as the 27-year-old produces as he did last year in New Orleans.
Heading into the final stages of free agency, Omaha was sitting at a positive 0.9 WAR gained this off-season despite having signed 0 players. The positive 0.9 was due to the retirement of outfielder Alfredo Martinez who played with the club briefly last season before announcing his retirement at the end of the year and likely finding his way to the Hall Of Fame.
Well, Omaha removed some doubt last night with the announcement on twitter from outfielder Virgil Shafer that he had agreed to terms with the Hawks and was looking forward to his time in Omaha. It left some happy because Omaha had finally done something, while it left others questioning Omaha’s motives when they already have an outfield of Jimmy Starks Jr. , Orlando Ordonez, and Andre Ly.
Wait does this mean that Omaha is moving Ly as rumored last year or that they are cutting bait on Starks after his disappointing season? One Twitter user said.
Well, it’s likely neither.
Jimmy Starks has an opt-out after this coming season and if he so wishes to use that, it is likely Omaha wanted some sort of backup after the trade of prospect Brett Powers last week. But what if Starks stays? Well, it’s likely that Shafer can fill in in a flash for Ly against left-handed pitchers, of which Ly has struggled consistently against.
As for the actual contract, Shafer actually is getting $16,500,000 of his guaranteed $35,500,000 this season alone. He could opt-out after this year and pocket a cool $16,500,000 for one season of play. Otherwise, he could come back and earn another $11,500,000 next season and $7,500,000 in 2044. He will also make an extra $1,000,000 if he reaches 500 plate appearances each year and take home an additional $250,000 for each All-Star nod.
So lots of questions this season and with this contract, however, I am sure of one thing. Omaha will likely find room for Shafer and his 3.1 WAR from last season as long as the 27-year-old produces as he did last year in New Orleans.