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Last season, with a $115M payroll, highest in team history, the Bats went 95-67 to win the IL Wild Card. While they put up a fight, the Bats lost to eventual the eventual Brewmaster’s Champion Batavia Muckdogs in six games. With the off-season approaching the Bats had numerous tough financial decisions to make. Through a trade, declining of team options, unwillingness to come to players demands and declining arbitrations, the Bats cut a ton of payroll.
Gone:
C Eron Deleon - $13M
1B/OF Gabrielle Clareno - $11.5M
CL Armando Ureste - $8M
SP Lorenzo Campos $7.25M
MR Victor Rivera - $3.6M
MR Tom Downs - $2.5M
--
$46M!
Those numbers are either what they signed for this off-season or what it would have cost to keep them on the team. Deleon was a “throw-in” to a mid-season deal but soon re-emerged as the star of yesteryear, made it back on the Top Players List and lead the offensive second half surge to the playoffs. Clareno, while a part-time player at 1B and OF, had an amazing year but had to be let go. Ureste wanted a lengthy contract at much higher than Washington was willing to pay. Campos was targeted in a trade for a Top Prospect that was too good to pass up despite an All-Star season. Rivera and Downs were deemed too old and too expensive for middle relief help.
Entering the Off-Season the Bats had these holes to fill. After doubling the Scouting Budget (two first round picks this year) and doubling the Player Development Budget (not saying much as DC was maybe the leagues lowest), they had a couple million to spend in Free-Agency.
Added:
SP Duane Porter - $825K
OF Ricky Celedon - $750K
CL Jerry Evans - $571K
C Ryu Taniguchi $500K
MR Victor Tapia - $500K
MR Ed Bausman - $280k
---
$3.5M!
Duane Porter was once a former star. The 39-year-old has been an All-Star as a middle reliever, a starter and was the closer in 2006 for the 108 win Millers. This year, offers were small in Free-Agency as the veteran is coming off elbow tendinitis that allowed him to only pitch in nine relief appearances. Scouts are saying his injury history is “wrecked” and he might be the oldest player to ever suit up for Washington. The Bats are hoping he can fill the #3 rotation spot left by Campos. Ricky Celedon had a career year for a poor Carolina Tobs team when he hit 25 homeruns in 477 ABs. This year he will fill the void left by Clareno as the backup OF vs. RHSP and left fielder vs. LHSP. Jerry Evans is also considered “wrecked,” he’s 36-years-old and only pitched in 14 BLB relief appearances last year after suffering ulnar nerve irritation. He will be part of a DC closer by committee. Taniguchi is a defensive wiz who used to be a solid starter in this league. Now he will give the starter some rest and be a defensive replacement late in games. Tapia and Bausman are armed with really good stuff, but not the best movement or control. They will be part of the middle relief.
This off-season I felt like Brad Pitt (Billy Beane) in Moneyball. The team just had a great run but was losing one of the leagues best hitters, best closers and a few other very talented pieces. The difference, the Bats have a huge payroll but their aggressive spending had finally caught up with them.
$46M vs. $3.5 – This team looks a lot different. A lot less talented. A lot less expensive. I expect others to pick up the slack but it’s not going to be easy. Last year this team won 95 games. If this cheaper group can somehow get 85 wins, I will be very, very pleased.
Gone:
C Eron Deleon - $13M
1B/OF Gabrielle Clareno - $11.5M
CL Armando Ureste - $8M
SP Lorenzo Campos $7.25M
MR Victor Rivera - $3.6M
MR Tom Downs - $2.5M
--
$46M!
Those numbers are either what they signed for this off-season or what it would have cost to keep them on the team. Deleon was a “throw-in” to a mid-season deal but soon re-emerged as the star of yesteryear, made it back on the Top Players List and lead the offensive second half surge to the playoffs. Clareno, while a part-time player at 1B and OF, had an amazing year but had to be let go. Ureste wanted a lengthy contract at much higher than Washington was willing to pay. Campos was targeted in a trade for a Top Prospect that was too good to pass up despite an All-Star season. Rivera and Downs were deemed too old and too expensive for middle relief help.
Entering the Off-Season the Bats had these holes to fill. After doubling the Scouting Budget (two first round picks this year) and doubling the Player Development Budget (not saying much as DC was maybe the leagues lowest), they had a couple million to spend in Free-Agency.
Added:
SP Duane Porter - $825K
OF Ricky Celedon - $750K
CL Jerry Evans - $571K
C Ryu Taniguchi $500K
MR Victor Tapia - $500K
MR Ed Bausman - $280k
---
$3.5M!
Duane Porter was once a former star. The 39-year-old has been an All-Star as a middle reliever, a starter and was the closer in 2006 for the 108 win Millers. This year, offers were small in Free-Agency as the veteran is coming off elbow tendinitis that allowed him to only pitch in nine relief appearances. Scouts are saying his injury history is “wrecked” and he might be the oldest player to ever suit up for Washington. The Bats are hoping he can fill the #3 rotation spot left by Campos. Ricky Celedon had a career year for a poor Carolina Tobs team when he hit 25 homeruns in 477 ABs. This year he will fill the void left by Clareno as the backup OF vs. RHSP and left fielder vs. LHSP. Jerry Evans is also considered “wrecked,” he’s 36-years-old and only pitched in 14 BLB relief appearances last year after suffering ulnar nerve irritation. He will be part of a DC closer by committee. Taniguchi is a defensive wiz who used to be a solid starter in this league. Now he will give the starter some rest and be a defensive replacement late in games. Tapia and Bausman are armed with really good stuff, but not the best movement or control. They will be part of the middle relief.
This off-season I felt like Brad Pitt (Billy Beane) in Moneyball. The team just had a great run but was losing one of the leagues best hitters, best closers and a few other very talented pieces. The difference, the Bats have a huge payroll but their aggressive spending had finally caught up with them.
$46M vs. $3.5 – This team looks a lot different. A lot less talented. A lot less expensive. I expect others to pick up the slack but it’s not going to be easy. Last year this team won 95 games. If this cheaper group can somehow get 85 wins, I will be very, very pleased.
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