2046.02 - The Long Beach Independent - Simpson Signs on for One More
Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:51 am
SIMPSON STICKS AROUND
All-time great Surfer and future BBA Hall of Famer Mark Simpson has signed with the Surfers for 1 year at $4 million. The 36 year old switch hitter is no longer the 8 WAR monster he was in his prime, but he still gets on base as well as he ever did. He's the active WAR leader for position players (hat tip to commissioner Rectenwald for that fun fact) and is one of the league's most popular players.
In conjunction with the season ticket price decrease, this signing should help boost ticket sales for the Surfers this offseason. Manuel Aguilar, Jr. will likely remain the Surfers' everyday first baseman, with Simpson seeing AB's as a pinch hitter and against left handed starters. In 2045, between Omaha and Long Beach, he posted an OPS+ of 151 against southpaws.
In other roster moves, Millard Younger informed the team that he would be exercising the opt-out clause in his contract to become a free agent. This was likely anticipated by the Surfers front office and they have 21-year-old Eduardo Gonzalez standing by in AAA to take his spot in an outfield corner for 2046.
The team also declined their option for Luis Costello's contract, as he disappointed throughout the year, and particularly in the playoffs against Twin Cities.
In a somewhat surprising move, the team executed their option for pitcher Knud Zeitler. The 31 year old lefty was acquired from Sacramento mid-season and performed far better out of the bullpen than anyone expected. The $5 million he will be paid is probably a little steep for a middle reliever, but all signs point to another highly competitive offseason in the free agent pitching market.
All-time great Surfer and future BBA Hall of Famer Mark Simpson has signed with the Surfers for 1 year at $4 million. The 36 year old switch hitter is no longer the 8 WAR monster he was in his prime, but he still gets on base as well as he ever did. He's the active WAR leader for position players (hat tip to commissioner Rectenwald for that fun fact) and is one of the league's most popular players.
In conjunction with the season ticket price decrease, this signing should help boost ticket sales for the Surfers this offseason. Manuel Aguilar, Jr. will likely remain the Surfers' everyday first baseman, with Simpson seeing AB's as a pinch hitter and against left handed starters. In 2045, between Omaha and Long Beach, he posted an OPS+ of 151 against southpaws.
In other roster moves, Millard Younger informed the team that he would be exercising the opt-out clause in his contract to become a free agent. This was likely anticipated by the Surfers front office and they have 21-year-old Eduardo Gonzalez standing by in AAA to take his spot in an outfield corner for 2046.
The team also declined their option for Luis Costello's contract, as he disappointed throughout the year, and particularly in the playoffs against Twin Cities.
In a somewhat surprising move, the team executed their option for pitcher Knud Zeitler. The 31 year old lefty was acquired from Sacramento mid-season and performed far better out of the bullpen than anyone expected. The $5 million he will be paid is probably a little steep for a middle reliever, but all signs point to another highly competitive offseason in the free agent pitching market.