Omaha front office makes good on “more to come” tease.(51.06)

[niles08]

While some marked it down as “saying the politically correct thing” when Omaha GM said they were still hoping for a big signing announcement in the upcoming week, the front office actually came through with news.

Pitcher Elliot Woodger, who has been in the GBC since age 16 with Baghdad, has signed with Omaha. The contract comes in at a 5-year deal worth $36,400,000 in salary. There is an additional incentive for Woodger should he reach 200 innings pitched which will pay him $1,500,000 and should be win the top pitching award known as the Nebraska award, he would be awarded another $1,500,000. The 4th and 5th years of the contract are both team options, which are either going to pay Woodger $10,000,000 each season or he would be awarded a $2,000,000 buyout.

So who is Woodger?

According to scouts, Woodger is a scrawny right-hander who was chosen 34th overall in 2045. He has a lively three pitch mix that includes an elite fastball, an elite cutter, and a good changeup. He can be counted on to generate groundballs and keep the ball in the park, which is extremely important in Omaha. According to scouts, Woodger is viewed more as a middle innings' reliever currently, but all indications are that Woodger is going into the rotation for the first time in his career.

In 361 games, and 0 starts, Woodger had a 3.41 ERA while in the GBC. He accumulated a 6.4 WAR, and had a career HR/9 ratio of 0.7. While in the GBC, he was a 3 time all-star, leading the league in saves in 2046 and 2047, while leading the league in holds last season.

The Omaha rotation becomes cloudy and crowded again, with Hayashi and Dooley being clearly in. That leaves Jose Martinez, who was excellent last season. Jose Barron, who missed all of last year, and the newly signed Woodger. Don't forget about Mike Alexander, who was also very good last year. That is a 6 man rotation without even mentioning top prospect Takashi Nakamura, who undoubtably will make his debut this season.