2051-5 Decisions, Decisions

[indiansfan]

Decisions, Decisions

Like many teams, Calgary will have to wait out the options cycle to see where they are situated for next season. Along with the decision on Jefferson Pierce’s future, there are two more longtime Pioneers that have decisions to make.

Joel Ottoboni is only 31 years old and already has nearly 100 more saves than any other pitcher in Calgary history. Only 2 hurlers have thrown more games than he has and his 1.08 WHIP is tops among anyone that has played in Calgary during the past half of century. He has a $6 million team option for next season.

However, he is 10 years removed from his only Egan Award. He has played in an All Star game in the past 7 seasons and his last two years have been pretty awful. If he stays in Calgary he will probably not be the team’s closer next season and will get bumped to middle relief.

So what will Ottoboni do? He might choose to take the safe money and stay with the Pioneers for another year or like many players he may forgo his option year in the hopes of a multiyear deal. At his age, that would be very possible. The team thinks he may try free agency and opt out, which would make management happy as well.

Alfonso Trinidad has been the Pioneers starting third baseman for the past 9 seasons. He has had his ups and downs, but in most years he has been good for 30 homers and 90-100 RBI’s. In 2045, his best year, he hit 30 HR, drove in 131 and was selected to the All Star team. His glove however is another story as told by his -52 career ZR.

Trinidad has an opt out at the end of this season. He made $6 million this year and is slated to make $8 million next season, but he can walk away and try free agency. He will soon be 31 years old and this might be his best shot at getting a final long term deal. However, it looks like there will a surplus of third basemen available this offseason and it is unlikely he would get $8 million on the open market.

In Trinidad’s case, he does not hold all the cards. His 2052 deal is a team option. So even if he chooses not to opt out, the team can cut him lose and pay him a $2 million buyout. Given the free agent market and some moves the team has already made it looks like his time in Calgary is probably at an end.

A footnote on Trinidad. In 2046 Calgary made it’s last Brewster Championship appearance, when it was still called the Landis. They lost to Omaha. In a rare occurrence, the series MVP came from the losing club and was none other than Trinidad. He will always have that.

[indiansfan]

I neglected to mention that it appears King will finish 3rd in the JL Nebraska voting. Not bad for the price.