2114-15 Free Agency Outlook

[Huckleberry]

Tuesday, October 30, 2114
Santo Domingo

The offseason is officially here and the free agency forecast is as exciting as it's ever been. Front offices and player agents have been exchanging barbs in the press for weeks in anticipation of an unprecedented free agency player market. And then, just when we thought it couldn't get any crazier, a handful of star talents declined their player options for the 2115 season and added even more talent to the pool. While a few front offices scramble to try and sign their guys to extensions, money is tight around the league and the players seem to be demanding high salaries in a show of solidarity, so expect nearly all of them to hit the open market. Below are the WBA Times Dandy Dozen Potential Free agents this year in alphabetical order. Keep in mind, though, that as of press time there may be, without exaggeration, 20 free agents this offseason better than the best free agent in some previous years.

2B Piero Folena, Rio de Janeiro - The veteran Folena is 8 hits away from 2,000 in his WBA career and went over the 1,000 RBI mark this past season. He is starting to decline but still plays a serviceable second base to go with his well above average bat.

SP Tony Gutiérrez, Mumbai - A former first round pick, Gutiérrez really came into his own this year at age 30 with a sub-3 ERA playing at the Mumbai Launching Pad. The first of four Cobras on this list we have already heard the rumors of the Mumbai front office looking around the league and under their couch cushions for cash in an effort to extend at least one of these players.

SP Han-wu Han, Shanghai - Han took a different path to stardom than Gutiérrez as he was a 17th round pick in 2103 but quickly blossomed in the pro ranks and made his major league debut in 2104. He recently declined his player option for 2115 and Shanghai is already in extension talks with the talented pitcher.

SP Dan Harmon, Barcelona - Another late round pick (15th in 2107), Harmon blossomed in the Los Angeles organization before being traded a couple of times. After an injury he never realized his peak predicted potential but he is still an excellent guy to have in your rotation.

2B Jason Himes, Northwest - Himes is an excellent second baseman who, like many of his teammates, has underperformed in the playoffs. The Emeralds recently extended teammate Wagih Lacchelo but have been mum on potentially extending Himes.

3B Jesús Huerta, Mumbai - The second Cobra on the list and one of the top third baseman in the game, Huerta was traded away from his hometown Aztecs to Mumbai and is now past his team control years. He suffered in the field this year but his range at third and excellent bat still make him very valuable.

SP Serhat Karpat, Mumbai - The legendary Karpat is 7 wins away from 200 in his WBA career and is still cranking out 4-5 WAR seasons even at the age of 40. His peripherals appear to finally be in decline, however, so many are unsure how much money he can demand in this market.

SP Roberto Morales, Buenos Aires - 36-year-old Morales has three 20 win season in his career and is the only 200 game winner in WBA history and is coming off his best season in a decade. The Dolphins have moved into rebuild mode, though, so he will test the free agent waters.

RF Roberto Parrina, Santo Domingo - Parrina recently executed his opt-out, forfeiting an $11.9M salary in 2115, in order to join the free agent bonanza, a move which surprised the Santo Domingo front office. Combine that with his rumored demands of $24M/yr to extend with the Palmchats and the relationship between player and club is rather tense at this time.

C Akrura Puli, Barcelona - Given the relative lack of talent at the catcher position throughout the WBA, many view Puli as the top potential free agent of the year, so his decision to decline his 2115 option year with Barcelona shifted the market and has several front offices buzzing. It's still a risk given the financial situation of several teams but if anyone can command a high price this year it's this guy.

CL Balya Virendra, Mumbai - While not the only good closer who could be available this year, Virendra is the best of the bunch and figures to command the highest salary and set the market for relievers. Still Mumbai is looking to re-sign him as he's been their closer for the past 6 seasons.

1B Haywood Ward, Buenos Aires - Being a below average fielder at first base isn't nearly enough to keep Ward from being a superstar as he is one of the top bats in the game. The numbers he's put up are even more impressive when you consider that he's done it in one of the toughest parks for hitters in the entire WBA. We will see where he ends up but sources close to Ward have confirmed that he does wonder what he could do in a better hitters park as he passed the 1,500 hit mark shortly after turning 28 years old.