Edmonton, December 16, 2047 -- Jackrabbits fans had only just begun wailing and gnashing their teeth over the unprecedented loss of three Edmonton core players to free agency when the front office snapped out its checkbook and filled all three positions with solid replacements.
The drama began on November 15 when free agency opened and, in an instant, three Edmonton stars were gone: 1B Carlomaria 'Short Circuit' Donadoni, 2B Pepe 'Bloviater' Espinosa, and 3B Steven 'Scooter' Collins III. Fan began calling for the ouster of GM Mike Dunn, and a few wanted him tarred, feathered and dragged down the streets of Edmonton.
The challenge facing Dunn and his aides was tremendous, observers agree. Donadoni, Espinosa and Collins formed the much-loved core of the 2045 Jackrabbits offense when the team won the League Championship. This past season they led the club to 90wins and a wildcard berth, and fan interest was strong.
Out with the old: Donadoni, Espinosa and Collins
Meanwhile Steven Collins, for his part, exercised a player option and also fled Edmonton without any negotiation. Dunn's predecessor, former Jackrabbits GM Chris Robillard, was not surprised by the trio leaving Edmonton. "This kind of transition was always coming for the Jackrabbits. I did two big transitions trading away guys. This is the first time in more than a decade that the team let big name players go to free agency."
In with the new: Martinez, Moran and Feliciana
- Martinez: 4 years, $26.8 million. $4.8M in year one, $6M in year two, a team option for the third year at $7.5M, and a player option in the final year at $8.5 million.
- Moran: 4 years, $31 million. $8M in each of the first three years, with a team option for the fourth year at $7M.
- Feliciana: 6 years, $73 million, with annual salaries escalating from $10M up to $13.5M, but most importantly, team options in each of the final two years.
"Literally, in the space of one month, we went from a lineup with big gaping holes to one that looks solid," said the beaming manager of the Jackrabbits, Juan Carlos Gonazales. "Is it spring training yet?"
Even former GM Robillard seemed impressed. "These are excellent acquisitions. It should definitely mitigate the loss." We'll have to wait a while to find out if Robillard is right on that point. But one thing is certain: fans are willing to hold off on tarring and feathering his successor.
