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Seven Arby Decisions Loom
October 15, 2061 | Forever Land | Traditionally, teams operated by Ron Collins do what they can to avoid arbitration sessions, going as far as to occasionally even pay a bit extra so as to avoid November surprises. Such has been the case with signing guys like Keith Williams, Pedro Jimenez, and Mike McClure to one-season deals as this year progressed. The team still has seven players to deal with, however, which suggests that there might be questions being asked. Decisions will have to be made soon, though.
So, let's look at them.
Michael Buckley (Projection: $4.6M)
We've talked about Buckley a billion times before. He had a horrible season (again) in 2061, partially created by injuries, sure, but let's face it, that's three tough seasons in a row. If he actually hit to his power, you'd pay the $4.6million. If he grew that last point of contact, or if he great one more iota of outfield range, you'd pay the $5.6million he wants to sign. If the plate discipline were to get him to an OBP over .300...
Alas, he's doing none of the above.
And the arby number projects to $4.6million. I'm just not sure I'm seeing that.
Graham Aubry (Projection: $2.2M)
By his birth certificate, Aubry is 26 years old. His doctor's report calls him 56. The guy cannot stay healthy. And it's worse than "just" an injury. He was banged up nine times this year, his most trying so far. By that, I mean there is a true trend. The total is 21 bumps and bruises over the past three.
If he could make his 500 Plate Appearances without being hindered by these things, he'd be worth the $2.2M. Lefthanded batters with a tiny bit of pop and who can get on base at something around a .350 clip are valuable. Lefthanded batters who get on base at a .290 clip need a whole lot more than a tiny bit of pop.
We're going to guess Aubry will stick with the team, but the fact that he's not yet signed is a suggestion we could be wrong.
Mitchell Radnall (Projection: $1.7M)
Solid pitcher. Good in the LOOGY role, and maybe even capable of the full deal. Maybe. With all the other cheap young arms in the organization I can't see paying $1.7 million for this one, though.
Dana Munce (Projection: $1.4M)
Here's a guy flying under the radar. He's a quite figure amid a bunch of non-quiet figures. Munce made a return to the big leagues this year, and registered a nice little 5-1, 4.23 EAR (97 FIP-) on minimum salary. He started a couple games in a pinch. Fans like him. His teammates like him.
In other words, Dana Munce is a good guy to have around.
The question is whether he'll be a good guy to have around for $1.4M. One suggests that he might be. The roster numbers could be getting busy, though. If Vidaca were to be converted to the pen full time, and Aguilar is retained, and guys like Brain Caps and Antonio Salazar are fully ready, there might not be room for him. If nothing else, though, it would be valuable to have him in spring camp in case an injury or in case of any of the kids not quite being ready.
My guess is that the team will keep him in the Krill net, but we'll see.
Tony Munyiga (Projection: $950K)
Poor Tony Munyiga. As many, many comments about him have already said, he looked so promising. It is, however, to the point that I can't see the team paying $950K for a pinch runner at AAA.
Michael O'Halloran (Projection: $1.4M)
It was a fun exercise while it lasted. O'Halloran hit an important homer to push the team into the postseason, but that's about all that really got the blood pumping in 2061. Clearly not enough here to justify giving him $1.4M. Perhaps we'll see him in spring camp if no one else wants to give him any real money?
Angel Villanueva (Projection: $1.5M)
Villanueva is, perhaps, the most interesting question on the table.
Having grabbed him off the Minor League Free Agent pile, the team thinks he can be a solid pitcher, something he confirmed in The team thinks he can be a solid, Francisco Ortiz kind of pitcher, something he confirmed in six starts after joining the team. The price tag is not massively high. Consider him the Dana Munce of the rotation. Of course, he can also relieve, which is the role he'd played in most of his prior life as a BBA level professional.
We're going to guess that the team will keep Villanueva around.
If nothing else, at that price, if he performs well he's a trade deadline trade chip.
October 15, 2061 | Forever Land | Traditionally, teams operated by Ron Collins do what they can to avoid arbitration sessions, going as far as to occasionally even pay a bit extra so as to avoid November surprises. Such has been the case with signing guys like Keith Williams, Pedro Jimenez, and Mike McClure to one-season deals as this year progressed. The team still has seven players to deal with, however, which suggests that there might be questions being asked. Decisions will have to be made soon, though.
So, let's look at them.
We've talked about Buckley a billion times before. He had a horrible season (again) in 2061, partially created by injuries, sure, but let's face it, that's three tough seasons in a row. If he actually hit to his power, you'd pay the $4.6million. If he grew that last point of contact, or if he great one more iota of outfield range, you'd pay the $5.6million he wants to sign. If the plate discipline were to get him to an OBP over .300...
Alas, he's doing none of the above.
And the arby number projects to $4.6million. I'm just not sure I'm seeing that.
By his birth certificate, Aubry is 26 years old. His doctor's report calls him 56. The guy cannot stay healthy. And it's worse than "just" an injury. He was banged up nine times this year, his most trying so far. By that, I mean there is a true trend. The total is 21 bumps and bruises over the past three.
If he could make his 500 Plate Appearances without being hindered by these things, he'd be worth the $2.2M. Lefthanded batters with a tiny bit of pop and who can get on base at something around a .350 clip are valuable. Lefthanded batters who get on base at a .290 clip need a whole lot more than a tiny bit of pop.
We're going to guess Aubry will stick with the team, but the fact that he's not yet signed is a suggestion we could be wrong.
Mitchell Radnall (Projection: $1.7M)
Solid pitcher. Good in the LOOGY role, and maybe even capable of the full deal. Maybe. With all the other cheap young arms in the organization I can't see paying $1.7 million for this one, though.
Here's a guy flying under the radar. He's a quite figure amid a bunch of non-quiet figures. Munce made a return to the big leagues this year, and registered a nice little 5-1, 4.23 EAR (97 FIP-) on minimum salary. He started a couple games in a pinch. Fans like him. His teammates like him.
In other words, Dana Munce is a good guy to have around.
The question is whether he'll be a good guy to have around for $1.4M. One suggests that he might be. The roster numbers could be getting busy, though. If Vidaca were to be converted to the pen full time, and Aguilar is retained, and guys like Brain Caps and Antonio Salazar are fully ready, there might not be room for him. If nothing else, though, it would be valuable to have him in spring camp in case an injury or in case of any of the kids not quite being ready.
My guess is that the team will keep him in the Krill net, but we'll see.
Tony Munyiga (Projection: $950K)
Poor Tony Munyiga. As many, many comments about him have already said, he looked so promising. It is, however, to the point that I can't see the team paying $950K for a pinch runner at AAA.
Michael O'Halloran (Projection: $1.4M)
It was a fun exercise while it lasted. O'Halloran hit an important homer to push the team into the postseason, but that's about all that really got the blood pumping in 2061. Clearly not enough here to justify giving him $1.4M. Perhaps we'll see him in spring camp if no one else wants to give him any real money?
Villanueva is, perhaps, the most interesting question on the table.
Having grabbed him off the Minor League Free Agent pile, the team thinks he can be a solid pitcher, something he confirmed in The team thinks he can be a solid, Francisco Ortiz kind of pitcher, something he confirmed in six starts after joining the team. The price tag is not massively high. Consider him the Dana Munce of the rotation. Of course, he can also relieve, which is the role he'd played in most of his prior life as a BBA level professional.
We're going to guess that the team will keep Villanueva around.
If nothing else, at that price, if he performs well he's a trade deadline trade chip.
