Six Black Sox Players Departing This Offseason, Some by Choice, Some Booted!
After disappointing year,
major roster overhaul may be coming
Chicago, November 9, 2049 -- In what could be the beginning of a sweeping overhaul, the Black Sox organization today announced it is cutting ties with five players, while a sixth, starting pitcher Jim Wilkinson, has opted out of his contract to test free agency.
In all, the moves will shed more than $26 million dollars in current salaries from the roster. The six moves free up roster space for younger players in AAA (whose team was 81-63 in '49) and salary cap space for free agents.
I'm Outta Here: Among these moves, the biggest shocker is Wilkinson's decision to opt out, leaving a gaping hole in the starting rotation. "We understand Jim's concern's about the direction of the organization," said club spokesman Pablum Spynmeister. "Unfortunately the almighty dollar seems more important to him than loyalty. Not that we're bitter or anything."
Shown the Door: The team abruptly ended contract negotiations with two other regulars, reliever Chander Hall and CF Dan Flores. Both players, according to sources, were asking for longer-term, pricier contracts than the team was willing to entertain. "We were too far apart," said one source. "No point in continuing. Let them test the market." Infielder Virginia Rain, who had a great season in 2048 but was demoted in '49, will not be tendered an arbitration offer.
Two other current players, relievers Gilberto Cordero and Bartolo Munoz, each informed the team that they were ending talks in order to test the free agent market. "No great loss," said our source, none of the three had a WAR above 1.0 this past season.
After we first reported the pending moves, GM Mike Dunn issued a terse statement that confirming all the decisions. "We value all our players, but we see no point in wasting time with unreasonable demands."
A Rumored Threat: Taken as a whole, these changes signal one of the biggest overhauls of the roster in several years, and could foretell other roster changes through trades. In fact, sources say 1B Aarnoud Budding, another popular Black Sox veteran, is demanding a trade. Some fans, bloggers and radio talk show hosts are calling for Dunn to blow it all up and start over.More to come on that in a future installment as we explore whether GM Dunn should launch a wholesale rebuild.
Staying Put: In better news, the team announced it will pick up the $12.5 million option on 2B Rocky Watson, who has been with the organization his entire career since being drafted by the club (then the Huntsville Phantoms) in the first round of 2039 draft. Watson is 31 and had a down year in '49, but remains immensely popular among fans, and--with attendance down-- the club needs marquee players like Rocky, even if he is on the decline.
Less pleasing was the decision by starting catcher Pedro Gómez not to opt out of his contract. Gómez is the highest paid player on the team and will earn nearly $15.4 million in the coming season, yet notched just a 1.0 WAR in '49. Sources say Dunn is happy to keep the 30-year old veteran, because despite lower productivity, he remains one of the better hitting catchers in the league, and retains a strong arm.
The Black Sox finished the 2049 season 6th in the Hearthland Division, a full four games below .500 at 79-83. It marked the first time since 2041 that the team did not make the playoffs. It was an ignominious return to the Black Sox for Dunn, who led the team to Landis titles in 1995 and '96, and who returned to the fold this past off-season following the resignation of Jim Cox.
Let's looks at each of the players who will depart:
