[Westheim]

After ordering that last Pizza, the Raccoons were basically out of money. A couple of millions had also gone into reviving the scouting and player development departments that had been shrunk to make ends meet the last two years. Steve from Accounting reported just $590k left in the budget, and $820k in cash. If anything we might want to shed a contract before the season would start.

We had to contain ourselves with signing a few minor league free agents in March, releasing 2065 sixth-rounder Nick Reed, and then, since nobody was into acquiring Jesse Dover or Carlos Matas (who wasn’t gonna make the roster and didn’t have options), counting down the days.

Also not making the roster was left-hander Jorge Ruiz, who we had taken in the Rule 5 draft. He was returned to Dallas before the offseason even ended. This was an early hint that Gabriel Rios didn’t make the rotation and was instead the second lefty in that pen besides McMahan.

At least that saved us $363k for another minimum salary.

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February 14 – The Titans spend big on former Condors MR Joe Cash (46-31, 3.55 ERA, 52 SV), who will make $8.12M over three years in blue.
February 19 – Boston also adds former Stars closer Roberto Ramirez (76-81, 3.69 ERA, 417 SV) on a 2-year deal worth $2.26M.
February 25 – The Thunder sign up former Capitals outfielder Bryan Johnston (.288, 50 HR, 323 RBI) for three years and $8.32M.
March 5 – Vancouver signs a 2-yr, $9.16M contract with former Knights SP Vince Ellison (82-73, 3.75 ERA).
March 23 – The Scorpions trade INF/LF Jon Barrientos (.247, 19 HR, 123 RBI) to the Warriors for RF/LF Alex Barnes (.238, 95 HR, 374 RBI). The Warriors also receive a prospect.

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Ramirez was the last type-A free agent to go off the market. At this point, quite a few type B’s still remained, including useful players like Vince Ellison, Ralph Lange, Jonathan Vale, and Manny Rubin – but the count with Ramirez gone was that the Raccoons had five picks inside the top 50 for the 2069 draft: #6, #21 (both first round proper), #27, #37 (both supplemental round), and #46 (second round proper). While the last three were still likely going to be pushed back a little (the second-rounder for sure), this was a nice selection to look forward to. (And just to make a point, the Crusaders signed ex-Buffos infielder Alex Rodriguez the next day and pushed the #37 and #46 back a spot with that move)

Did we look forward to the new season?

(silence)

Why don’t we answer that in the season-opening post?

Which past Critters have found new employment late in the offseason? Trent Brassfield signed with the Titans for $2.81M; the Buffos took on Joey Christopher for $510k, and then added also Franklin Serrano for $560k; Tommy Branch joined the Capitals for two years and $4.8M; Cincy signed 40-year-old Dave Blackshire for $570k; the Condors went for Justin Cullum at a rate of $620k;