2034.02 - The Options Game

[bcslouck]

Charm City had multiple players with some option tied to them. Team option wise, the team declined them all while the team had half of the possible player options executed.

*Sam Adams declines player option; willing to resign
-After splitting C time with Don Logan, Adams had a subpar year. He still proved at times he's a solid option to have with his above average defense and big time power when up to bat. Interestingly, he wants an extension for slightly less than what he made the previous year. While the team may consider picking him back up, they are going to explore other ways to improve the team with some of the cap flexibility picked up.

*Maximo Cuevas executes player option; released by team
-In what CCJ was hoping would be a bargain of a deal to have him at worst platoon against LHP turned out to be kind of a dud. While he had a great 2032, he was a below average hitter and negative WAR player in the bookend years of the guaranteed part of the contract. The team figured he would take his option and had already made of their mind to just pay him out to test free agency.

*Team declines team option on Chris Workman; doesn't want to resign
-The 2B experiment didn't quite workout for the team, but they were prepared to pivot if that was the case. He was a plus 1B for the team and while he didn't provide the typical power of a 1B, he finished the year with a .803 OPS that was driven by his .901 OPS once he became the teams leadoff hitter. While the team likes Workman, they didn't want to pay $9M against the cap for a platoon hitter. The team hopes that Byron Hearle can get back to his pre-2033 ways as he really struggled for the first time in his career.

*Team declines team option on Pablo Soto; willing to resign
-Soto has been a steadying player at SS for the Jimmies. The team had not ever had a decent SS option until acquiring the former Valencia All-Star. While he never really reached the some of the heights he reached in Valencia, he was a solid or better defender, winning the JL Zimmer Diamond Glove in 2032 while hitting .289 in his 2 years in Charm City. The team just felt his number was too high for what he was. And while he is willing to resign, he wants more than what the team declined.

*Team declines team option on Bonaventure Habermas, wants to test Free Agency
-Since coming over from Calgary, Habermas has been a solid option as a starter and out of the 'pen. Considering the teams lack of depth in the rotation, he came in handy over the years. His salary was relatively low considering how much he did for the team over the last 2 years, but the team still declined his option to try and allocate some of those funds elsewhere.

[Ted]

Glad you got something out of Workman.

[bcslouck]

Yeah, he was very useful. Probably the best leadoff guy I've had in terms of getting on base. I'd be open to bringing him back if he changes his mind.

[Ted]

It's hard to stomach the lack of homers at 1B, but his OBP, defense, and baserunning value there are pretty solid.

[bcslouck]

Yeah, I know 1B is traditionally a power position and it seems more reinforced by the GM's in this league. But I can take less HR's at one spot if I'm getting power at others. Especially if he provides value in a lot of other spots, like you pointed out that Workman does.

[RonCo]

I don't mind a lack of power at 1B if the guy gets on base.