Fans were ecstatic as it was announced that joining Isam in free agency would be arguably the top free agent on the market in pitcher David Molina. Molina, who pitched to a 2.06 ERA last season in 152 innings had agreed to a 5-year contract worth $92,000,000 with the organization.
It is expected that Molina, who has not started a game since 2057, will not only be a member of the starting rotation, but immediately become the "ace" for the organization, pitching on opening day.
Similar to Isam, Molina has an interesting structure to his contract which should allow the team some flexibility in the future. Molina is only making $11,200,000 this season and $15,200,000 next season. He does hold an opt out after next season if so, he wishes, so it could be as simple as a 2 year/$26,400,000 deal for the 28 year old. If he decides to not opt out, he will be paid $15,200,000 another season, followed by $25,200,000 for the following 2 seasons(31-32 years old)."Yea, we're planning to start him. We just have to make sure he can pitch out of the 2nd inning with how gassed he gets. Something we have agreed to work on together. We'll get our trainers with him and see what can be done. If nothing can be done, we still have an incredible pitcher to get us through the first half of a game. Keep in mind we are heading back to Mordonez Park. Balls have a habit of walking over the fence themselves at that park, so why wouldn't we target a guy who is tremendous at helping keep those balls in the park?" Said GM Justin Niles.
This structure is significant for the team as those $25,200,000 seasons are after current pitcher Steven Flannery's $17,000,000 seasons are past, and in those 2 seasons, Badr Isam is set to make an average of just $11,000,000.
Between Badr Isam & Molina with the structure, the team is set to spend $41M this season, $29M next season, $29M the season after, $37M the 2 years afterwards. As mentioned, in those $37M seasons (2066,2067), Steven Flannery is off the books. Malik Bin Mazin is also a free agent after the 2066 season.
