Fresh Fur: CL Max Birstall (Hoppy Endings, pre FA Sim 2) [PP:2058.02]

[neugey]

With ample cap space, the Jackrabbits wasted little time stepping into the 2058 free agent frenzy, coming away with veteran closer Max Birstall. The 32-year-old hurler hails from Rushton Spencer, England and will stay in Canada to continue his pitching career. In 2047 he was drafted late in the first round by Montreal and summoned to the big leagues almost immediately. He spent 6 years as a top setup man for the Blazers before taking over as the full-time closer in 2053. That proved to be an excellent move, as he recorded between 36 and 43 saves over the next five seasons.

Edmonton was surprised to see Birstall available in free agency. Birstall came off of an excellent All-Star 2057 campaign which yielded a Johnson-leading 43 saves and 2.81 ERA. But the postseason was not kind to the closer as his ERA ballooned and he blew 2 saves. Perhaps that was part of the consideration of letting Birstall walk by Montreal. Or maybe management needed cap room. Or maybe they wanted more youth on the team. Regardless, Edmonton is happy to have the veteran on board.

Conventional logic might say you don’t need a closer on a rebuilding team, but Edmonton GM Mike Bauer disagrees. “We’re excited to have Max on board. We’re building a young and promising starting rotation. Signing a proven commodity at closer is a way of protecting that investment and also increasing our current ceiling as a team should our rotation exceed short-term expectations. Last year Renato Lacerda did a great job for us in the closer role and that really reduced the stress of our entire bullpen. So this year we decided to make a bigger purchase at the position.”

Jackrabbits fans are very happy to have Birstall on board, having admired their Johnson League Canadian fellow from afar. His cutter is still a big weapon in striking out hitters, and his control is top tier among BBA relievers. His deal - $27.3 million over 4 years – is fairly high for a reliever, but with the team not expected to spend much else in free agency on pitching perhaps they are mostly done with their shopping on that side of the ball anyway.