Bandit Post, Vol 1, 1996

[aaronweiner]

Here's the news out of Birmingham at the beginning of 1996.

The Bandits have resigned Alex Khodorkhovsky http://baseballretrospective.com/MBBA/O ... _1642.html to a five year extension with a sixth year team option. Multiple bonuses were included in the contract, which calls for the Russian Rocket to earn a base of $3.5 million in the first year, $4.3 million in the second, and then $6 million thereafter.

Khodorkhovsky was ecstatic about the deal, which allows him to avoid free agency and stay a Bandit until at least the year 2001.

"I am very happy to be here in Birmingham and America has been very good to me," said Khodorkhovsky. "We both wanted to get a deal done and the new general manager, Mr. Weiner, met my demands head on."

Birmingham also signed Kyle Claiborne and Omar "Juice" Epps in the Rule V minor league draft. At this point, Claiborne is a spot starter and middle reliever. Epps, who was above average at AA last season, is expected to pitch mop-up duty and the team thinks that if he can locate his pitches more thoroughly that Epps has the raw tools to become a solid starter in the MBBA.

Hi Brown and Jeff Tabaka are on track to be healthy and ready for action by the start of the season. Both had lingering injuries throughout the offseason, but Brown will be activated partway through spring training and Tabaka is ready for the start of spring training games.

Finally, the team is reportedly actively pursuing trades this offseason and some changes are likely to come to Birmingham this offseason.

More updates as they become available. This has been the Bandit Post.

[lynchy34]

That's a great extension for Khodorkhovsky. He's a real nice bullpen arm.

[recte44]

That's a great extension for Khodorkhovsky. He's a real nice bullpen arm.

He's a starter. Even better extension.

[lynchy34]

That's a great extension for Khodorkhovsky. He's a real nice bullpen arm.

He's a starter. Even better extension.

Ha, yeah. I think I need to sleep more.

[recte44]

Having a newborn will do that to you.

[aaronweiner]

Well, I plan on using him in the bullpen before games. After games he might throw there a little too.

So see, you're not totally off. And he IS a pitcher and all...