The Morning Glory 2061.01: Salary Shufflin'

[bcslouck]

With the cap reducing in the next few years and the team in need of upgrade, the Oysters made some bold roster decisions to kick off the offseason.

The teams first (not so bold) move was to void the team option of IF Ignacio Venegas. Buying him out for $700,000 saved $3,400,000 toward the 2061 cap.

The also decline arbitration on RP Norm Collyer and RP Michael Richardson. Those two being declined probably saved the team around $2,000,000 on the cap based on estimates.

The move that raised some eyebrows is cutting SP Robert Wilson. Claimed off waivers from Omaha last offseason, the team took a calculated gamble hoping to try and improve the rotation. He ended up not being very good and ended up hurt, pretty much sealing his option fate. Due $8.6M in 2061 with more player options, the team decided to cut him and to pay him out to go away. His salaries gummed up future obligations. The team was handcuffed to make improvements, not only talent wise, but leadership wise.

One of the key issues last year down the stretch turned out to be a locker room that was toxic. Individual players played well but only cared for their own accolades. Last year, the Oysters were not a team. They were a group of guys paid to show up and play. This allowed for someone like Steven Flannery to come in to not only help improve the rotation, but bring some leadership to help keep the boys in check.

Not only did Wilson's contract block any additions, it blocked an extension of franchise legend Malik bin Mazin. He was set to be a free agent after 2061 and the team really wanted to get him signed to finish out his career in the Rocky's. Sure enough, on 12/1/60, he signed a 5 year $70,000,000 extension that kicks in after 2061.

Moves like the Wilson one could be become the norm throughout the league with the cap decreasing over the next few years. Teams looking to compete can't afford to keep dead cap anymore. But they can handle dead money. It may keep them from big bonus in IFA's and the draft. But we all know flags fly forever. And that dead money eventually fades away. The Oysters have a group of position players that can win them a Landis if they can keep their heads on straight.