27.y.o. pitcher Garth Dobbs (12-7, 4.00) has "agreed in principle" to a six-year contract extension that will earn him an average $10.6mm over six years (2063-68), with four years guaranteed for the Terryville, New York native, followed by two team options of around $11mm. "Yeah, we don't handout those ridiculous team options that we never intend to pay," commented AGM Juan Costa, "but are mere inducements for a player to sign medium term. 'We don't game the game'." Dobbs in 2062 will finish out his current three-deal of $7.9mm a year.
The expected signing of Dobbs has meant the Kernels, who were sitting at $109.6mm salary mark after the surprise re-signing of reliever Scott Everard and picking up Arnold Cantrell's $10mm option, has had to release some popular players. Cantrell, who turns 36 in February, is said to be knocking at the door for a long-term extension. "We''ll have to see about that," Costa said.
Dave Lachance, who has been mulling over long-term service as a "converted reliever" and has 5 years and 1 day of ML service, is eligible for an extension of up to six years. Lachance's utility on the team has fallen off since he signed his current 3-year, $7.8 mm deal.
Tommy Akers has an opt-out after 2062. If he and Cantrell don't return for 2063, the rotation will be the vet Clayton (signed through '64 with a P.O. for '65), Dobbs through '68; and then Amaya, Haworth, Burgess, Lachance, with Gabriel Bentall, Salah Lufti, Dileep Mirchandani, and Carlos Vazquez, 18, in the wings.