I have 9 players who are Super 2 eligible or better. The ABA Arbitration rule is actually Super “1” since the requirement is the top 22% of players with 1+ years. Down from 2+, the league began with.
Here are the players, their salary and our offers
- Jeff Chase 225,000 / 1.47m ( I am currently in discussion on a contract extension)
- Nate Ramirez 128, 000 / 2.2m (Currently discussion an extension)
- Mike Allen 475,000 / 550
- Juan Noriega 128 / 200
- Brad Turner 134 / 190 (thinking about talking to him about an extension)
- Juan Barranco 134 / 333, 500 (I'd like to possibly extend if I can get team friendly numbers just to make him more attractive to others as well)
- Ernesto Rodelo 134 / 200
- Josh Klatt 134 / 200
- Mike Kaupt 128 / 3.5m
Mike has presented a very unique and challenging situation. In early discussions about an extension, which somehow leaked this week, his agent basically made two things clear. Both stunning.
His ask is 10 years 67 million with a player opt out after year 4 and Mike is interested in having himself posted.... Yes, Mike has interest in playing overseas and would like to explore that option. He has 3 years service time so I have him for 2 more seasons barring an extension.
Over the course of the year some things, warts you might call them, popped up.
1) His work ethic. Not sure what to say about it other than it's just not there. He was born this way, a natural 5 tool athlete who can jump out of bed and play the game at a level few on the planet can.
2) He 'doesn't “care”. I don't mean he doesn't care in that way, but win or lose his engine doesn't seem to change gears in a very JD Drew-like fashion. It's not something he hides, and the fans see it. Fans here and around the game love him and really what's not to love? He shows up, does amazing things and goes home. They are not privy to this behind the scenes stuff and honestly I don' think they care. They won't, until they do. Much like MLB's Boston Red Sox had to deal with Manny Ramirez. They're worth every penny until the day they aren't and the day they aren't they become kryptonite because the exposure to the behind the scenes stuff sheds light on things no team wants, much less so with an enormous contract. One thing is clear. There is no chance I offer him anything near 10 years at an AAV of 6.7 million. I've countered with 2 different offers of 7 years at AAV's in the mid 5's and they have not moved off the 10 year ask. Worst case? Today that would be him playing out the 2 years and me getting a comp pick. Best case? He agrees to a deal that is within reason (5-7 years 30'ish million total) and has a change of heart. I don't see the latter happening. Does dealing him become an option? Unless I can get back an entire farm system no. The fans would revolt, and rightly so after the July deadline deal many are still upset with. On the plus side Kevin and Mike are on very good terms.
One other thing in talking about 3B Luis Figueroa. It has been brought to my attention he isn't a real popular guy in the clubhouse. Very much a '2 for 4 what's the score” type player. He, Ajani Foggie and Josh Klatt were the 3 guys who, over the course of the year, did or said some things that found their way to me and none of them were positive.
Right now our clubhouse leadership group consists of reliever Tony McKinney, 2B Jon Harris and OF Juan Tovar. Like I said earlier Max Ramirez is one that I think we could see ascend to a leadership/captain sort of position if he can get his bat going.
While these aren't sexy things, they are at the heart of building a winner, building a dynasty. Clubhouse chemistry is absolutely a thing free agents look into. They call each other, they call players, clubhouse guys and anyone who might be 'in the know' to find out particulars as it is a much more important factor than folks who watch the game, and the Ivy League Sabermetricians know or can calculate.