Fresh Fur Part 1: CL Renato Lacerda (Hoppy Endings, pre FA Sim 4) [PP:2057.02]

[neugey]

While other BBA clubs are making big free agent splashes, Edmonton is merely skipping rocks around and trying to make shrewd moves around the margins. The club’s budget and revenue have seen better days and the team is leery of any high priced acquisitions that could serve counter-productive to their rebuild.

Despite their efforts to get younger, GM Mike Bauer elected to add 38-year old closer Renato Lacerda in free agency to a two-year $5 million contract (with Lacerda holding a player option on the second year). The move makes a lot of sense given that the bullpen implosion in 2056 that started off the season was a catalyst and harbinger of the 100+ loss horror to come. One time closer Jim Conley was traded away to Nashville’s bullpen, leaving Edmonton with some youthful talent but no one that can be safely trusted with late innings in a competitive Frontier division.

Thus Lacerda will serve as a band-aid for the Jackrabbits bullpen for this year and possibly the next. His name means “the pig” and not “band-aid” in Spanish. Nonetheless, the new pairing will try to make things work. Lacerda, a 5-time All-Star has seen better days but still maintains his excellent control. He’s still good enough to pitch to contact and trust in the defense behind him. He’s a longtime captain and leader and will be a positive asset to morale in the clubhouse – which might be needed if Edmonton finishes well below .500 again.
Lacerda was drafted out of Netflix Streamers College to New Orleans in the 3rd round way back in 2038. He took full command of the Crawdads closer role in 2040 and most of his production has come with that franchise, though in addition to New Orleans he’s also spent time with Las Vegas, Long Beach, Omaha and most recently Jacksonville.

Lacerda has two Brewster rings in his collection – from 2049 with Las Vegas and 2051 with New Orleans when he led the Johnson with 39 saves. In 2052 with New Orleans he was a real powerhouse, leading the Johnson again with 53 saves along with a 2.15 ERA and 1.10. This effort earned him an Egan award for best reliever in the Johnson. That was five years ago though and getting that edition of Lacerda might be a lot to ask. But even if records a 4.00 ERA with 20-30 saves he’ll still be a big improvement over what Edmonton saw last year.

[Dington]

Wow he’s still around!

[RonCo]

As I noted on the bba today...I like this deal.

[JimBob2232]

I love lacerda!