During the rebuild, salaries were slashed across the board with only two salaries now eclipsing the $3M mark. Both of those salaries went to players in the infield corner positions.
Third baseman Tim Bartlett is the owner of one of those salaries at $9.5M per year. Tim still has one more season in 2064 at $9.5M before the team option kicks in.
Bartlett had a breakout year in 2060 when he hit 26 homers while maintaining a batting average of .270 and an on-base percentage of .353. Adding in his above average defense his production that year resulted in a WAR of 4.4. After that season was done it was time for a new contract and Tim inked a deal for $9.5M per year. His production fell to about half of the numbers from 2060 since that time.
The other big contract holder is Zenobius Kazantziakis clocking in at a $7M yearly salary. Zeno's contract was agreed to prior to the 2061 season when Valencia was going all-in for a playoff run that never materialized. While Zeno's WAR that year came in at 2.4 thanks to his solid glove and 34 steals, he also had a subpar 2062.
In 2063 Zeno has had a resurgence hitting .311/.374 but he has expressed a desire to be traded to a contending team.
As part of the rookie movement, the Valencia front office has brought in a youngster at each of those positions.
At first base, the Stars of 24 year-old Gabriel Bacaloglu. Gabe has a rating of 50 with a potential of 60 which include Contact/Power/Eye ratings of 6/8/6. While his range is a little below average, Gabe is pretty dependable once he gets to where he can reach the ball having only 3 errors in 417 chances. Gabe is currently hitting .253/.316 with 11 homers to date which is on track for a projected WAR of 1.1 this season.
The rookie at third base is 23 year-old Jorge Garcia. Jorge has a 7/5/5 set of ratings for Contact/Power/Eye at this point which is good for a batting average of .279 and an on-base percentage of .310. Jorge has a projected WAR this season of 1.3.
