Warehouse Wire 2040.03 - CCJ sign 2: Part 2

[bcslouck]

The team signed another two players mid-Spring Training.

Esteban Cuervo was signed on March 5th to a 4 year deal worth $48,000,000. It includes a player opt after year 2 with years 3 and 4 being team options. Cuervo averages 37 HR/162 over his career as mostly a strong side platoon corner OF. His 126 OPS+ will help anchor a lineup that need some more punch and has managed to do it via free agency and from within.

The on March 12th, the team signed long time Twin Cities SS Mark Wareham. A weak spot for the team for most of the teams existence, Wareham brings a veteran presence that should give the team a solid enough glove while getting on base and providing some pop. Interestingly, the reports have indicated he may bat at the bottom of the lineup. Thinking seems to be that his bat to ball skill has decreased but he can still get on base enough to hit in front of the team leadoff hitter, who is a doubles machine. That could change with a hot start.

Wareham's contract is 2 years for $40,000,000 with a player opt out and team option for year 2.

The team is near capped out at this point, so you probably won't see them make any more major moves unless they can trade cap to other teams. Both signings are short team to help the team not only compete this year off of a 77 win season, but bridge the gap to the young prospects coming, most being a year or 2 away from making their arrival.

The arrival has begun for some as Quinton Lara, who was already poised to make the jump, is having a strong Spring Training to solidify his spot as the strong side catching option. William Drew heads into his 2nd season looking to make the leap after struggling (.680 OPS) in his 109 games.

With the latest two signings and young players on the squad, Charm City may be a team to keep an eye on in 2040.

[ae37jr]

I think that there is a very real chance either Charm City or Brooklyn could make the playoffs. Our division is real weak at the bottom. So we should be able to accumulate some wins there. New Orleans took a small step back on paper(though I never count Jim out). And if anything happens to the aging Dempster, Cannon, or Kelly it could drop the two top teams back to the pack. Should be a fun season.

[bschr682]

So what’s the theory with a player opt out and simultaneous team option?

[ae37jr]

So what’s the theory with a player opt out and simultaneous team option?

If he has a good year, he'll earn comp status and opt out. If he has a bad year(lumps), he won't earn comp status and you can pay the buy out to make him go away. Same as a mutual option MLB.

[bcslouck]

So what’s the theory with a player opt out and simultaneous team option?

If he has a good year, he'll earn comp status and opt out. If he has a bad year(lumps), he won't earn comp status and you can pay the buy out to make him go away. Same as a mutual option MLB.

This. Just protecting myself financially. Been more cautious in the rebuild time so you may see me go away from it unless it's a short team deal like Wareham's or an older player like Winson. Winson wouldn't let me do the team options by the way. I tried.

[bschr682]

Hopefully the ai is handling that correctly. I know it loves player options but he can’t get any of the money in the rest of that deal unless you let him. I hope it evaluates that.

[bcslouck]

Hopefully the ai is handling that correctly. I know it loves player options but he can’t get any of the money in the rest of that deal unless you let him. I hope it evaluates that.

Not sure. Seems like it. Most of the guys I get with this are guys who sign way less than their original demand so I'd assume if they have a decent year, they'd rather go back to free agency and ask for the big money again. Winson didn't have TO's behind his player opt-out. We can say what we want about him but he still have a 2 WAR season. Some guys would opt-out. He realized the $36M was worth staying. So it considers it at some level.

Btw, I'm not the first to do this around here.

[jleddy]

So what’s the theory with a player opt out and simultaneous team option?

If he has a good year, he'll earn comp status and opt out. If he has a bad year(lumps), he won't earn comp status and you can pay the buy out to make him go away. Same as a mutual option MLB.

Good call with referencing MLB's mutual option scenario, I hadn't even thought of that. I verbally retract my snarky Spiderman meme in the Spring Training Chatter thread in regards to the deal, but I'll still keep it posted cuz it's still damn funny to me.

[bschr682]

I have zero issue with the deal. It’s definitely a good faith offer. Just was curious if we thought ootp was dealing with it correctly.

[shoeless.db]

Man, I went back and forth on resigning Cuervo about 20 times last season... in the end, I wish you the best of luck with him. He can carry the offense when he's on...