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GM_CheatSheets · 02-05-2017, 01:47 PM

The offseason started with tendering contracts to my arbitration eligible players. RP Burdi, SP Smith, CF Reese, RP Mosqueda, 1B Franco, RP Mejia, and RP Tate all signed for another year at between $1-2 million. SS Devine was the only one to sign in the $2-3 million range while RF Kirilloff, SP Burke, and 2B Massey all signed for between $3-4 million. 3B Mendoza qualified as a super-two player and made $4.4 million in his first arb year. SP Kapriellian was the highest paid arb player on my team again, this year making $5.5 million.

I decided not to tender contracts to RP Reid-Foley and CF Lewis.

I also ultimately decided not to make a qualifying offer to C Mejia or CL Bracho. Bracho was asking for $10 million per year for four years. I decided not to tender him a qualifying offer because in previous franchises, I've found that players with this type of demand usually accept the qualifying offer. As much as I want the draft picks, it's not worth being stuck with a $15 million contract for an average player.

Unlike the flurry of trades that happened last offseason, I only made one this year. I sent MiLB RP Pugliese to the Cubs for CF/2B Cash Case. Case has above average speed and is an above average defender both as an infielder and outfielder. At the plate he has an above average eye, though is otherwise average. I plan to force start him in LF where I think he will become a plus defender with experience.

Next, the new free agent and international free agent classes were released. I'm not sure if it's because of my scout or what, but for the third offseason in a row, there are no high-end international free agents. These players are usually a good way to get great talent at a discounted price (and with no draft pick compensation).

With my initial look at the available free agents, my plan is to go after a few of the second-tier starting pitchers as there are a few without draft pick compensation attached. They include SP Jeff Hoffman (31) with a demand of $17 million per year for five years, SP Sean Newcomb (31) at $18 million for six years, SP Jose Fernandez (32) at $12.5 million for five years, and SP Garrett Richards (36) at $10.5 million for 1 year. I opened the offseason with about $30 million available for free agent contracts.

Richards received an immediate offer and I decided to meet his revised demand of $8.91 million for one year. It took about two weeks before the asking price started to drop on the other pitchers. Newcomb, a lefty, was the next I made an offer to ($14.16 million/yr for two years; the second year is a player option).

After the winter meetings, it turned into a little bit of a bidding war. I continued to increase my offers to both Newcomb and Richards with Fernandez and Hoffman as potential backups. While I initially thought I might be able to add two pitchers, the escalating demands meant that I would stay in play on both pitchers until the first one signed. Unfortunately, this strategy didn't play out great for me as both pitchers decided to sign with me on the same day -- Newcomb at $19.4 million/yr for two years; the second a player option and Richards at $16.8 million for one year. As a result of this, I was forced to cut my scouting and development budget slightly (scouting to $21 million and development to $25 million).

While this will definitely make my team more competitive, I am hoping the drop in development budget doesn't have a long-term impact as the contracts with both likely end at the end of this season. On the positive side, I think it is very likely that Newcomb will result in a qualifying offer draft pick and it might even be possible that Richards would take one with a strong season, despite his age.

The other possible negative outcome of both pitchers signing rather large contracts instead of just one is that it could possibly have some repercussions when it comes time to sign draft picks and international amateur free agents.

Otherwise, it was a largely uneventful offseason for the Expos with few moves and fewer trades. I added three players via the rule 5 draft, but doubt any of them will stick past spring training.

Up next is the spring training recap and season preview...

02-05-2017, 01:47 PM	#47
GM_CheatSheets Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 171	Offseason The offseason started with tendering contracts to my arbitration eligible players. RP Burdi, SP Smith, CF Reese, RP Mosqueda, 1B Franco, RP Mejia, and RP Tate all signed for another year at between $1-2 million. SS Devine was the only one to sign in the $2-3 million range while RF Kirilloff, SP Burke, and 2B Massey all signed for between $3-4 million. 3B Mendoza qualified as a super-two player and made $4.4 million in his first arb year. SP Kapriellian was the highest paid arb player on my team again, this year making $5.5 million. I decided not to tender contracts to RP Reid-Foley and CF Lewis. I also ultimately decided not to make a qualifying offer to C Mejia or CL Bracho. Bracho was asking for $10 million per year for four years. I decided not to tender him a qualifying offer because in previous franchises, I've found that players with this type of demand usually accept the qualifying offer. As much as I want the draft picks, it's not worth being stuck with a $15 million contract for an average player. Unlike the flurry of trades that happened last offseason, I only made one this year. I sent MiLB RP Pugliese to the Cubs for CF/2B Cash Case. Case has above average speed and is an above average defender both as an infielder and outfielder. At the plate he has an above average eye, though is otherwise average. I plan to force start him in LF where I think he will become a plus defender with experience. Next, the new free agent and international free agent classes were released. I'm not sure if it's because of my scout or what, but for the third offseason in a row, there are no high-end international free agents. These players are usually a good way to get great talent at a discounted price (and with no draft pick compensation). With my initial look at the available free agents, my plan is to go after a few of the second-tier starting pitchers as there are a few without draft pick compensation attached. They include SP Jeff Hoffman (31) with a demand of $17 million per year for five years, SP Sean Newcomb (31) at $18 million for six years, SP Jose Fernandez (32) at $12.5 million for five years, and SP Garrett Richards (36) at $10.5 million for 1 year. I opened the offseason with about $30 million available for free agent contracts. Richards received an immediate offer and I decided to meet his revised demand of $8.91 million for one year. It took about two weeks before the asking price started to drop on the other pitchers. Newcomb, a lefty, was the next I made an offer to ($14.16 million/yr for two years; the second year is a player option). After the winter meetings, it turned into a little bit of a bidding war. I continued to increase my offers to both Newcomb and Richards with Fernandez and Hoffman as potential backups. While I initially thought I might be able to add two pitchers, the escalating demands meant that I would stay in play on both pitchers until the first one signed. Unfortunately, this strategy didn't play out great for me as both pitchers decided to sign with me on the same day -- Newcomb at $19.4 million/yr for two years; the second a player option and Richards at $16.8 million for one year. As a result of this, I was forced to cut my scouting and development budget slightly (scouting to $21 million and development to $25 million). While this will definitely make my team more competitive, I am hoping the drop in development budget doesn't have a long-term impact as the contracts with both likely end at the end of this season. On the positive side, I think it is very likely that Newcomb will result in a qualifying offer draft pick and it might even be possible that Richards would take one with a strong season, despite his age. The other possible negative outcome of both pitchers signing rather large contracts instead of just one is that it could possibly have some repercussions when it comes time to sign draft picks and international amateur free agents. Otherwise, it was a largely uneventful offseason for the Expos with few moves and fewer trades. I added three players via the rule 5 draft, but doubt any of them will stick past spring training. Up next is the spring training recap and season preview...