Despite rumors, Jose Lima signs a 3 year extension with Omaha.(43.15)

[niles08]

Jose Lima, who was actually the subject of trade talks earlier this off-season can put those to rest after signing a three-year extension with the Omaha Hawks. The extension officially buys out Jose Lima’s arbitration seasons, ending after the 2046 season.

The twenty-five-year-old right-hander will make $3.5 million next season, followed by $4.7 million the last two seasons of the deal for a total of just under $13,000,000. Early arbitration values had Lima in the $5 million range for next season followed by $6 and $7 million dollar years so the team took a risk and potentially saved about $5,000,000 over the next 3 seasons.

Lima has been a very bright spot for the Omaha rotation this season, currently sitting at 8-5 with a 3.49 ERA and a 2.5 WAR. Those numbers would project him out to an 18-11 season with 5.5 WAR. Numbers that after last season weren’t thought to be possible again.

Lima had an incredible sophomore season in Omaha in 2040 compiling 20 wins, a 3.16 ERA, and a 5.6 WAR. He followed that up last season with a stinker, going 5-15 with a 6.27 ERA and at one point was sent to AAA to work on things. A .349 BABIP last season certainly contributed.

During those off-season trade rumors, teams were more interested in buying low on the young right-hander but were quickly shot down as the front office apparently knew last season was a blip. That gut feeling is paying off now and assuming Lima can compile at least 1.5 WAR over each of the next 3 seasons, the buyout should be looked at as a positive move.

[johnd2442]

Good to see he's rebounded and now rewarded for it. Jose Lima was also an MLB pitcher who I was a fan of. Is this Lima a custom ammy?

[RonCo]

Good signing, I would think.