Wood walks way from $48 million, swings deadline deal back in Omaha’s favor.(43.38)

[niles08]

With little true knowledge of what William Wood would do regarding his contract extension leaking out to the media, all eyes and ears were waiting patiently for word on whether William Wood would exercise his contract opt out and forgo the $48,000,000 owed to him over the next 4 seasons or whether he would stay with Omaha and likely become the everyday left fielder for those 4 seasons.

Wood, who was acquired a mere minutes before the trade deadline last season in a salary dump move for Nashville, was actually superb over the 97 at bats for the Cyclones. He had a 147 wRC+ and accumulated a 0.9 WAR in just 26 games which at that pace would have given him a 5.5 WAR over the course of a full season, truly career best numbers.

The 30 year old heading to free agency likely upset the Nashville front office who apparently had no idea what Wood was planning to do as they were willing to ship top pitching prospect Juan Ruiz to Omaha In order to rid themselves of Wood.

Ruiz currently ranks as the #18 prospect in the BBA.

Omaha also acquired Jerome Delage in that deal, who did execute his player option and will return to the Omaha club in 2044. Delage is likely to come off the bench and play 1st, 2nd, and 3rd base as players need rest. Delage could also see full time at bats against left handed hitting as Wilson Estrada clearly struggles in that area while at first base.

For taking on Delage’s contract, Omaha received shortstop Orlando Lopez. The 20 year old shortstop has an excellent glove putting together a 12.9 ZR in 67 games at shortstop last season in AAA. His bat also rated as good as the average AAA player where he accumulated a combined 2.5 WAR. While he struggled in 164 plate appearances at the BBA level in 2043 while with Nashville, Lopez clearly has room to grow.

As a side note, it's worth noting that Omaha did send outfielder Jamie Geerdinkck to Nashville in this deal. Geerdinkck at just 24 years old is coming off a bit of a down season but is owed $13,380,000 total over the next 3 years.

[bcslouck]

That's kind of wild. Feel like it'll be tough for him to get $48M off a 1.5 WAR season. Really worked out for you. He willing to talk extension? Not that you'd want to resign him. Just curious what he's asking for.

[niles08]

To be honest, I haven't even loaded the new file yet. I am trying to put it off because I don't want to have to decide on Clulow lol.

[Dington]

I'm so, so happy for you...William really gave me the Wood on this deal.

[recte44]

This is insane

[Dington]

I should have put a clause in the trade that gave me back Munoz at least if Wood opted out lol

[niles08]

I should have put a clause in the trade that gave me back Munoz at least if Wood opted out lol

Yea, to be honest i was sort of bummed when he opted out because had been hitting so well for me since I acquired him. I suppose it's for the best though. He wasn't the most durable of players. That's a tough break as the opt out literally makes no sense, especially after what he is asking for.

It's tough to forget because of his low batting average that he has been at least a positive WAR player. Could he truly put up 5.0 WAR a season in Omaha had he opted in? It will be interesting to see what he does elsewhere. At $48 million for 4 years, he would have to accumulate about 3.5 WAR a season on average to be worth the deal. I'm curious to watch who signs him and if he gets full playing time.

[Dington]

I should have put a clause in the trade that gave me back Munoz at least if Wood opted out lol

Yea, to be honest i was sort of bummed when he opted out because had been hitting so well for me since I acquired him.

You’re welcome to sign him to a 4 yr $48mil deal

[niles08]

I should have put a clause in the trade that gave me back Munoz at least if Wood opted out lol

Yea, to be honest i was sort of bummed when he opted out because had been hitting so well for me since I acquired him.

You’re welcome to sign him to a 4 yr $48mil deal

To be honest, I had offered him $25 million over 2 years before deciding to yank the offer and head a different route.