After kicking off the winter loudly with the trade that brought Miguel Ramos to Boise, the Spuds have found themselves multiple times on the losing end in free agent bidding. "We're frustrated and bit disappointed, no doubt," general manager Joe Lederer told Treasure Valley Sports. "We had our eye on several names, both big and small, but we've fallen a few dollars short a few times. That's they way free agency goes.""A few dollars" might be putting it lightly, as Lederer has been known to hold the checkbook of owner Francis Nephi Grigg IV tightly and continue to stress the importance fiscal responsibility, if not to a fault. Lederer has swung and missed several times during his tenure in Boise and after a disappointing 2043 season that saw the team miss the playoffs after the club's first two trips to the postseason, coming up empty for 2044 may not bode well for the Spuds, or for Lederer.
Sources close to the team say that Lederer's top two targets in free agency were reliever Júlio Velasco and third baseman Mario Barrera, however Portland and Long Beach outbid Boise for their services.
All that said, the Spuds have added a few new faces for the upcoming season. Workhorse BBA veteran Diogo Lindt was signed to a minor league deal with a major league option, which has already been executed, earning the 33-year-old right-hander $1.28M this upcoming season. Thomas Morrison, 25, was claimed off waivers from New Orleans and after two strong seasons in Triple-A as a starter, the Spuds will give the righty a chance to earn a role out of the bullpen in 2044. Jack Douglas, a scrappy infielder, was selected by Boise with the 14th overall pick in the Rule 5 Draft and has been told he will battle Lloyd Braun for the starting second base spot until prospect José Rodríguez makes his inevitable debut. The biggest prize won by Boise during the off-season was in the International Free Agent market, as the Spuds signed Puerto Rican teenager Mauro Díaz to a $10.6M signing bonus (totaling $16.2M after the penalty tax for exceeding $5M in offers). Díaz, 16, stands 6'8 and features a five-pitch mix with excellent control. Scouts have likened the southpaw to current Louisville pitcher Stan Palácios. Díaz joins a farm system currently ranked 5th in the Brewster.
