Tweet
2050 Free Agency Tracker
Hello BLB fans... Thought it would be nice to dust this old feature off this year... Keep checking back in as we track all the major Free Agents in the BLB this offseason.
12/13/2049
California Kodiaks sign SP Erik Foley for 3 years $9M
This would be a great signing if it was the 2040 offseason. Erik Foley was a dominant force in the BLB for a good ten year stretch. Now, he's just another arm that has lost a lot of zip on his fastball. The only options for Foley at this state in his career would be starting in AAA, or perhaps, becoming a left handed reliever in the bullpen at the BLB level. This one leaves us scratching our heads.
Grade: D
12/20/2049
New Orleans Voodoo sign SP Dawson Lamb for 3 years $63M
The Voodoo have long prided themselves on having outstanding pitching. Last season was no different as they were third in the DL in ERA on their way to 89 wins. However, thrade acquisition Nathan Thompson and last year's FA signing Alan Allen both departed for FA, so this signing makes perfect sense. A uncharacteristically bad playoff performance last year may have fans worried, but Lamb is still a really solid #2 on most teams and for only three years there is a lot to like about this deal.
Grade: A-
Maine Guides sign LF Hayden Wilson for 3 years $12M
What a turnaround in a few short months for a Maine franchise that was bloated with contracts and looked like it would have no shot in free agency this year. Wilson looks like a classic Maine player as he can hit, run, and defend, and does all very well. Although he provides limited power his ability to put the ball in play, and 50 stolen base potential have fans dreaming that he might be the perfect table setter for the rest of the Guides batting order.
Grade: A-
12/23/2049
Maine Guides sign CF Layne Marmol for 3 years $27M
The Guides continue their rebuild by snatching another elite defensive outfilder. Marmol has always had talent, but it's availability that has really done him in the past. He hasn't played more than 140 games since 2043. If Maine can rest him effectively and maximize his time on the field, this is a shrewd move that certainly helps the Guides as they continue to retool.
Grade: B
01/05/2050
Santo Domingo Rum Runners sign 2B Darren Clark for 3 years $19.5M
The Rum Runners continue their rebuild. It is taking longer than both fans and management had hoped, but Clark feels like a strong bridge signing. A competent defender, that is better known for his bat. He provides decent speed with limited pop, but in a lineup that is still waiting for reinforcements from the farm, he'll we a welcome addition to the #2 spot in the order.
Grade: B
Toronto Canadians sign SP Nathan Thompson for 4 years $104M
The Canadians landed the BLB's biggest off season pitching prize. An absolute ace that still gets the ball up into the 100 mph range, and has 4 solid pitches will be enough to anchor a rotation that is still young, and lost trade deadline acquisition Christian Vines in the off season. Although Thompson wanted seven years, Toronto management should feel very glad to have landed the fragile Thompson on a very reasonable 4 year term.
Grade: A
Indianapolis Racers sign RP Parker Kersey for 4 years $29.75M
The Racers could not agree with Kersey on arbitration and let him walk to free agency. Then, it appears both parties missed each other and they immediately settled back up on a four year deal. Kersey was nearly unhittable last year and still boasts elite stuff with two fantastic pitches. There is no reason to think he can't be perhaps the DL's premier closer throughout the life of this deal.
Grade: A+
01/20/2050
Los Angeles Dinos signed 1B/DH Kaleb Clinkingbeard for 6 years $28.7M
The Dinos made an under the radar move here. At first blush, almost $30M for a LH 1B/DH seems a little pricey, but let's be honest... Everything the Dinos touch has turned to gold these last few seasons. With the league's best pitching, and certainly the best defence, adding a little pop to the order seems like a pretty good idea.
Grade: B
Dallas Drillers signed LF Ben Clewley for 2 years $32.2M
The Drillers made a flurry of moves to start the new year, and none bigger than adding Clewly to their lineup. A fantastic left fielder who recently had a phenomenal 2048 season, surrounding by some seasons of pure 'meh. Drillers fans are hoping he returns to his younger form and is able to drive in all of the speedy runners that Dallas will surely put on base in front of him. This signing will certainly depend on which Clewley shows up this season.
Grade: B-
01/29/2050
Maine signs SP Vance Williams for 3 years $15.75M
The Guides roster reconstruction now appears to be reaching it's conclusion. Williams is a solid mid rotation starter hoping to shake off a disastrous end of the season in Seattle. He'll fit comfortably into a Maine team that has renewed its focus on defence and should benefit greatly from the superior glove work around him.
Grade: B+
Seattle Pilots sign SP Tom Lemmings for 4 years $37M
The Pilots after acquiring Willliams decided to let him walk and go after Tom Lemmings instead. Lemmings is a hard thrower that can consistently pitch deep into games and should take some pressure off of the Pilots pitching staff that has had a difficult time limiting base runners that last few seasons.
Grade: A-
01/30/2050
Batavia Red Jackets sign CF Tyson Velez for 6 years $88.5M
The Red Jackets are now fully invested into the P&D strategy of the old Dallas Sharks days under their new GM. After acquiring Velez, and then releasing him to FA, the Batavians went right back to Velez with an offer he couldn't refuse. He is solid in CF and could be exceptional in the corner spots. At 28 he is just hitting his prime and his speed and contact ability will certainly set the table for the rest of the Red Jackets in the lineup.
Grade: A
Dallas Drillers sign SP Rowan Diaz for 4 years and $52M
The Drillers were indeed not done in FA, as they once again put their foot in the pool and came out with a solid, if unspectacular, starter in the 31 year old Diaz. Diaz has averaged 30 starts in each of his 8 BLB seasons and is a true workhorse that will be counting on anchoring the middle of the rotation and providing a quality innings every time he toes the rubber.
Grade: B+
New York Cyclones sign RF Monday Kim for 3 years $55.8M
A leader in every sense of the word. Baseball ability aside, Kim will be a wonderful addition to a New York clubhouse that has struggled in recent years to play to their fullest potential. Having said that, he also provides DWI defence and can absolute rake at the plate. This may be the best FA fit of the offseason!
Grade: A+
Batavia Red Jackets sign C Evan James for 5 years $68M
The Jackets apparently weren't done in their quest to rebuild their defence. The best two way catcher to come onto the market in sometime will be calling Batavia home for the next five years. Fantastic defensively, and an contact machine, James only knock is a lack of power that most BLB teams like to have behind the plate. Still, talented catchers, in their prime rarely enter FA, and the Jackets took a big swing and hit this out of the park.
Grade: A
02/12/2050
Montreal Exports sign Julian Morgenson for 4 years $28M
The Exports bucked the current BLB trend of defensive first catchers and landed a bat first guy in Morgenson. Morgenson is just entering his prime, and although he's not a big power bat, he should steady a lineup that lost their Evan James to free agency. He's also just entering his prime, so the chances of improved bat skills are also not off the table.
Grade: B
Comment