9-News: 47.003: Foster Opts Out, Faces Arbitration

[RonCo]

Off Topic

Top RF Decision Creates Questions
November 11, 2046: YELLOW SPRINGS – In news that was not overly surprising, slugging right fielder Rex Foster has decided to opt out of the last season of his contract, and thereby return to the negotiation table for one last pass through arbitration. He had been due to be paid something in the neighborhood of $6M, plus a hefty bonus, and with arbitration estimates coming in at something closer to $12M, the decision was obvious.

With news that both Luis Pina and Mark Haynes are heading toward free agency, the club would appear to have a little money to throw Foster’s way. At question is whether the team would simply tender Foster arbitration for one season or attempt to sign him longer term. With Foster’s service time at over five seasons, the option is on the table—but it’s clear that despite coming off an injury-plagued down season, the young outfielder would not come cheap. Foster is, after all, a two-time All-Star and two-time Puckett Award winner. At age 26, he’s theoretically at his prime.

That said, the club has some considerable financial commitments already on the table in the out-seasons, and the buzz around the team was that it had groomed young Martin Herrera to step into Foster’s role for a considerably cheaper price tag. Given that Herrera is essentially ready now, one has to wonder how deep the club is willing to go with the highly popular native of New York.

“Another option would be a sign and trade,” said Baseball Guru Analyst Gayle Combs, “Foster would have value no matter what,” and if the club could get him to agree to a sound enough deal, that return could be pretty substantial.”

Foster himself had not much to say other than that he was open to ideas, but that mostly he was looking forward to getting back to New York for the off season.

No word yet on whether the two parties have exchanged numbers.