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skinsfan55 · 08-17-2021, 02:31 PM

Days and weeks were a blur.

A new uniform and logo unveiling

Arbitration offers...

Nontenders...

Scores of minor league free agents who are eager for the chance to latch on with a team bad enough to actually have a path to the big leagues...

The upcoming Rule V draft...

And a contract extension!

"The Maine Pines are please to announce that they've reached a 4 year, $120,000 extension with IF Antonio Gabaldon!"

Tony was 26, batted lefty, and hit .336 last season. Pretty much everything you could want in a young player for a rebuilding team. He could hit, he could run and he was a great teammate. A budding team captain type with charisma and leadership to spare. Only problem? He can't field. He played 2B last year and had no range, no arm, and below average hands... still, his footwork was okay around the bag so maybe it wasn't a lost cause. I had other plans for him though, at 6'1'' he had a decent wingspan, maybe he could adapt to 1B. We had Taylor Hagerdorn there but well... he was 37 and making a bundle, I decided to dump his salary to Cleveland. It cost be a decent looking OF prospect, but with this team, $34k was a ton.

That brings me to Gabaldon's contract. $30k is a lot for this team, however, he's making the arbitration figure of $18k this year, the extension comes in next year... and as a 1B I think he'll provide value. If he doesn't, then the final two years are team options. If we're being 100% honest though, I had considered non-tendering him. We're up against it.

During a discussion prior to the Rule V draft I talked things over with my new assistant GM, Raul Benavides, formerly an assistant in Detroit, last season's World Series champs.

"Joe, let me understand, you were going to non-tender Tony but signed him to an extension instead."

"Yeah, we're a rebuilding club. He's 26, he's a leader and I think he can help get us on the right track. We should get him a 1B mitt though, I think that's where he's headed."

"Not a bad idea, boss, there's just one potential problem."

"Yeah?"

"The final Rule V pool was released and the Desperados are leaving Billy Porter unprotected."

I couldn't believe it. Billy Porter? 22 years old, 6'7'' 215 lbs of slugging 1B? Brooklyn native with a fantastic work ethic who blasted 28 home runs in AA last season? That guy was going to be available with our #1 pick in the Rule V draft?

"Wait, what?" I stammered "I know Austin has a lot of 1B on their 40 man already but Billy Porter is going to be available in the Rule V draft?"

"Yup. So if we draft him, I'm thinking 1B might be occupied."

"Yeah, I'd say so. Let's take a look at the list and make sure he's the pick but say he is... we can squeeze by with Antonio at 2B for a season. Maybe get a defensive replacement for the later innings. There's been talk of adopting the DH next season and that'll solve the problem... but for now, this might be the best we can do."

Billy Porter was landing in our laps, and it ended up he was clearly the best pick for our organization. We picked him #1 in the Rule 5, and also made a trade with Austin. Their system was flush with third baseman so a deal was struck to send their 24 year old slugging 3B prospect Danny Morales (Porter's AA teammate last season) to Maine for SS Melvin Cruz (65th ranked prospect) and RP Danny Melendez a crafty lefty who dominated AAA last season. It was a steep price to pay, but if Morales developed, he could be a star in Maine. Their options at 3B were underwhelming.

The work towards roster building got a lot more creative from there. The plan was for Morales to get a little more seasoning in AAA so a trade was made for San Francisco bench IF Mike Gereev as a left handed batter he was suited to handle 3B vs RHP. Dallas was also convinced to part with some of their depth as well, slick fielding SS Dusty Haigh and switch hitting utility man Isaiah Moffett were brought in via separate trades.

With absolutely no money to spend, the Maine Pines continued to make deals for players making the minimum and with #1 waiver priority were able to snag some OF depth. Whether or not they would make the active roster would be determined...

With Spring Training approaching, the pending camp battles should answer some questions and shape this roster for their quest to go .500.

08-17-2021, 02:31 PM	#2
skinsfan55 Bat Boy Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 15	Days and weeks were a blur. A new uniform and logo unveiling Arbitration offers... Nontenders... Scores of minor league free agents who are eager for the chance to latch on with a team bad enough to actually have a path to the big leagues... The upcoming Rule V draft... And a contract extension! "The Maine Pines are please to announce that they've reached a 4 year, $120,000 extension with IF Antonio Gabaldon!" Tony was 26, batted lefty, and hit .336 last season. Pretty much everything you could want in a young player for a rebuilding team. He could hit, he could run and he was a great teammate. A budding team captain type with charisma and leadership to spare. Only problem? He can't field. He played 2B last year and had no range, no arm, and below average hands... still, his footwork was okay around the bag so maybe it wasn't a lost cause. I had other plans for him though, at 6'1'' he had a decent wingspan, maybe he could adapt to 1B. We had Taylor Hagerdorn there but well... he was 37 and making a bundle, I decided to dump his salary to Cleveland. It cost be a decent looking OF prospect, but with this team, $34k was a ton. That brings me to Gabaldon's contract. $30k is a lot for this team, however, he's making the arbitration figure of $18k this year, the extension comes in next year... and as a 1B I think he'll provide value. If he doesn't, then the final two years are team options. If we're being 100% honest though, I had considered non-tendering him. We're up against it. During a discussion prior to the Rule V draft I talked things over with my new assistant GM, Raul Benavides, formerly an assistant in Detroit, last season's World Series champs. "Joe, let me understand, you were going to non-tender Tony but signed him to an extension instead." "Yeah, we're a rebuilding club. He's 26, he's a leader and I think he can help get us on the right track. We should get him a 1B mitt though, I think that's where he's headed." "Not a bad idea, boss, there's just one potential problem." "Yeah?" "The final Rule V pool was released and the Desperados are leaving Billy Porter unprotected." I couldn't believe it. Billy Porter? 22 years old, 6'7'' 215 lbs of slugging 1B? Brooklyn native with a fantastic work ethic who blasted 28 home runs in AA last season? That guy was going to be available with our #1 pick in the Rule V draft? "Wait, what?" I stammered "I know Austin has a lot of 1B on their 40 man already but Billy Porter is going to be available in the Rule V draft?" "Yup. So if we draft him, I'm thinking 1B might be occupied." "Yeah, I'd say so. Let's take a look at the list and make sure he's the pick but say he is... we can squeeze by with Antonio at 2B for a season. Maybe get a defensive replacement for the later innings. There's been talk of adopting the DH next season and that'll solve the problem... but for now, this might be the best we can do." Billy Porter was landing in our laps, and it ended up he was clearly the best pick for our organization. We picked him #1 in the Rule 5, and also made a trade with Austin. Their system was flush with third baseman so a deal was struck to send their 24 year old slugging 3B prospect Danny Morales (Porter's AA teammate last season) to Maine for SS Melvin Cruz (65th ranked prospect) and RP Danny Melendez a crafty lefty who dominated AAA last season. It was a steep price to pay, but if Morales developed, he could be a star in Maine. Their options at 3B were underwhelming. The work towards roster building got a lot more creative from there. The plan was for Morales to get a little more seasoning in AAA so a trade was made for San Francisco bench IF Mike Gereev as a left handed batter he was suited to handle 3B vs RHP. Dallas was also convinced to part with some of their depth as well, slick fielding SS Dusty Haigh and switch hitting utility man Isaiah Moffett were brought in via separate trades. With absolutely no money to spend, the Maine Pines continued to make deals for players making the minimum and with #1 waiver priority were able to snag some OF depth. Whether or not they would make the active roster would be determined... With Spring Training approaching, the pending camp battles should answer some questions and shape this roster for their quest to go .500.