New Boise Spuds general manager Joe Lederer wasted no time in starting to rebuild the roster, signing free agent reliever Félix Alvarado to a two-year deal, agreeing to a contract extension with starting right fielder Ken Gerhart III, and making a handful of minor league signings.Alvarado, 34, is coming off a disappointing second season with the Valencia Stars in which the native of Mexico went 3-5 with a 4.64 ERA in 75.2 innings of work. Alvarado's struggles could point to a career-low strikeout rate along with a career-high home run rate. It'll be up to first-year Boise pitching coach Bob Blaisdell to get Alvarado back on track. Alvarado's deal is for two years at a total of $9.5M, but heavily front-loaded to provide financial flexibility in 2040.
Gerhardt III, who was heading into his last year of arbitration, was extended to a team-friendly deal that will pay the outfielder $3.5M over the next three seasons. It's expected that the 30-year-old veteran will continue to hold down right field in Boise until prospects Jim Des Jardien and Ricardo Ruíz are ready to contribute at the major league level.
According to league sources, Baseball News Network has learned that Lederer did strike out on potential deals with Lloyd Braun and Jean-Luc Lacaze, who signed with Atlantic City and Charm City, respectively. While Boise's offers for each player were higher per year than what both ultimately signed for, it's unsure exactly what factors caused the team to miss out. Some believe the team's unwillingness to offer longer term deals was the cause, however other reasons could include Boise as a less-than-attractive landing spot for free agents or if Lederer, who was hired as general manager only a week ago, simply made offers too late in negotiation talks.
In addition to re-shaping the Spuds active roster, the team also inked nine minor leaguers to deals, including four shortstops, a position lacking in depth across the entire organization.
On the eve of the Rule 5 Draft, it is believed Lederer may make some speculative additions to the organization. Whether any potential drafted players will make it to the Opening Day roster or are merely being given an opportunity to try and stick during spring training remains to be seen.
