S55 FA signings & extensions

 Jessica Fletcher - contributing reporter

The off-season is coming to a close, let's take a look at some of the Type A/B contracts that were signed. But don't get this writer wrong, there is definitely lots of value outside of those Type A/B contracts to be had.

Off-season extensions
Listed by contract length/value

• SP Bruce Choice - San Juan Fudds - 29 - 3/$17.4M 
• Choice, a former diamond in the rough had his worst season every last year, so let's see if he can turn things around. I'd expect something slightly lower than his career numbers of 1.40 WHIP and 4.40 ERA. He might currently be scheduled to be SP1 but he'll be more of a middle of the rotation arm value wise. 
• Grade: B+
• RP Gail Gilmore - OKC Barons - 28 - 3/$17.4M
• He's been a bit all over the boards, anywhere from a 1.99 ERA to a 4.75 ERA in the last three seasons, but such is life of an RP with small sample size. And he has some sweet glasses!
• Grade: B
• SP Santo Estrella - OKC Barons - 28 - 3/$17.4M
• He's improved every year since arriving in OKC, but surely that trend can't continue, right? Has the park playing in his favor, so that's huge for any pitcher. The contract is a good deal, even if he's not a front of the rotation arm. 
• Grade: B+
• RP Don Kruase - Chicago Gunslingers - 34 - 3/$18.9M w/ mutual
• Accepting his option puts him at $8M this season, his age 34 season which means the last $7.3M of his extension will be his age 37 season. Likely could have found a cheaper/younger option had they wanted until FA. 
• Grade: B-
• RP Juan Latos - Milwaukee Metronomes - 26 - 4/$21.6M
• He'll be the team's SuA, and at age 26 he already has 5 years of ML experience. For 16% of the team's payroll, I'd expect better numbers across the board, but maybe he's turned things around. Outside of his rookie season, last year was a career year for him. 
• Grade: B-
• DH Luis Espinosa - Augusta Alcoholics - 26 - 4/$22.4M
• Surprised to see the low budget Augusta spend money on a DH, but outside of a down year last season; he was a .290-.300 hitter with 20ish HRs without giving up too many strikeouts. If he can get back to those numbers, we'll take the $5.6M a season. 
• Grade: B+ 
• RF Pedro Alberro - OKC Barons - 28 - 4/$19.2M
• After arriving in OKC after a trade, he was immediately offered a contract extension. He brings a ton of speed to a team who set the Team single season stolen base record last year. A .275ish average means he's on base more often than not. He also offers a plus defender in RF. 
• Grade: A+
• RP Miguel Castillo - Buffalo Bisons - 30 - 4/$23.2M
• Solid piece to the Bisons bullpen, career 1.21 WHIP and 3.34 ERA. I'd expect another season of that in roughly 70-85 games. 
• Grade: B+
• CF Josias Albaladejo - Houston Space Cowboys - 26 - 5/$30M
• Given what he produced for the Space Cowboys, there's a lot to like about this extension, and at $6M per season, the dollars don't take away too much from building out the rest of the roster and saving money for their other young prospects who still start to get expensive before too long. 
• Grade: A
• RP Steve Etherton - Atlanta Expos - 31 - 5/$30M w/ mutual 
• Key component to the Expos bullpen and he will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. He had a down year last season, S54, but I fully expect him to turn things around and end up back in the low 3s for an ERA and below 1.25 WHIP. 
• Grade: A-
• SP Jim Fien - Philadelphia Harpers - 28 - 5/$36.3M
• A career 1.23 WHIP and 3.61 ERA; he's a middle of the rotation arm, but $7M a year doesn't seem too far fetched, though his contract is a bit confused. Perhaps a closer look at the team's future payroll will make it, make sense. He'll be paid $4.5M in Year 1 & 3, but makes $9.1M in Year 2, 4, & 5. At 28, his age should be fine by Year 5. 
• Grade: B (A+ for creativity in his contract)

Resigned before testing FA.
Listed by contract length/value

• SP Trey Scharein - Hartford Rising Stars - 35 - 1/$5.2M
• Can't argue with bringing back Scharein on a one year deal and at $5.2M. He provides the pitching rotation with a nice back end arm and should compliment Nigel White, Avisail Mujica, and Victor Ortega nicely. The deal takes one of the better starting pitchers off the market.  
• Grade: A-
• RP Brooks Bonilla - Hartford Rising Stars - 32 - 3/$15.6M w/ mutual
• Two seasons ago, Hartford's biggest hole was their bullpen. Thanks to a S54 fire sale trade with Columbus, they added Bonilla and Owens. Thanks to a late injury to Owens, Bonilla was the key to the bullpen in the playoffs. Smart resigning for the team competing for the NL North title. 
• Grade: A
• RP Sherman Hawkins - Chicago Gunslingers - 29 - 5/$19M
• You have to wonder if he got paid after his career year (0.87 WHIP, 1.74 ERA), his previous best was (1.01 WHIP his rookie season and a 3.13 ERA his sophomore season). But still, $3.8M per seems right in line. He received a typical Chicago contract, that is backloaded.
• Grade: B+
• SP Hooks Mateo - Columbus Corgis - 27 - 5/$27M, RP Chris Sinclair - Columbus Corgis - 27 - 5/$29M, CF Gonzalez Liriano - Columbus Corgis - 25 - 5/$29.5M
• You have to chalk this one up to an error, we've all made them. We are grouping them all together because the analysis is about the same. These were the three players the Corgis got in return for Keith Halter last year from the eventual World Series Champions. All three were left off the 40-man and thus elected Free-Agency. Luckily for Columbus they didn't lose their return, but had to sign each player to a 5 year deal. $1.03M for all three combined on minimal rookie contracts sounds better than $17M they will be playing on. But the man has a game plan, so trust the process!
• Grade: F 
• SP Felipe Hernandez - Salem Bourbon Makers - 28 - 5/$45.2M w/ mutual
• The middle three years are $11.3M, with the mutual being a $5M. Might have saved some money if the $5M was shifted to Year 4 and let Year 5 be the higher; but I'm writer and not a money man, so I'm clearly missing something - perhaps it's the payout for the mutual option if its declined. We'll see if Felipe cashed in on his career year or not. 
• Grade: B

Type A's
Listed by contract length/value. Interesting note, only 1 Type A ended up being worth a first round pick, with likely best player in Free Agency being worth the supplementary pick + a 4th rounder due to tie breakers. 

• Dylan Leroux (RP) - Tokyo Nomo - 36 - 1/$2.6M
• This signing is a bit amusing for a few reasons. 1. Tokyo played so bad last year they have a protected pick (#9), they signed three other Type A Free Agents this off-season, this one by far being the worst of the group yet with this signing, Mexico City nabs Tokyo's 2nd round pick. Even more interesting when you considering it pushed the draft comp for players like JO Avila and the biggest signing of the FA season, Omar Gonzales to later rounds. But enough about how the signing effect things, Leroux will be lucky to be a SuB on most teams with a 5.00+ ERA. The Gazette is now looking into if the owners of Tokyo and Mexico City are somehow related. At that draft comp, they could have waited until a day before the season to sign him for much cheaper. 
• Grade: C-
• Trent Law (RP) - Tokyo Nomo - 34 - 1/$4.8M
• Another interesting by Tokyo and fun to a second Type A sign for a 1 year deal, but when some teams are all in and not focused on drafts; it makes sense because they likely don't have the scouting anyway. With this deal, draft pick comp for Avila and Gonzales shift yet another round. During Spring Training, Law has been starting; but we'll see if he stays there or back to the bullpen where he's made 142 appearances the last two seasons. Likely could have waited and saved $1.5-2M.
• Grade: C+
• Felipe Vargas (RF) - Montreal Fighting Poutine Plates - 30 - 2/$4.4M
• Another late signing and to another protected first round team. It's a cheaper contract, but so is the production outside of last year in Tokyo. Maybe he just likes playing in Japan, or maybe he just doesn't like playing for an American team. I guess we'll see this year. As of this writing, Montreal gives up the #78 pick for him. Could a rebuilding franchise have used that for a bench/role player in the draft? Maybe, just depends on what talent is out there this year. Though it's appreciated that they are making the attempt. Not every owner will do that. 
• Grade: B
• Joshua Reames (SP) - New York Empire - 36 - 2/$7.2M
• Another big budget team not so worried about money. He's hit 200 innings each of the last 2 seasons for Montreal though on year with a 1.33 WHIP and the other a 1.62. In a division with Boston and even more so the power lineup of Atlanta, Reames better have a career year. At $3.6M he's worth the back end money. 
• Grade: B+
• Max Abreu (SP) - Colorado Springs From My Loins - 38 - 2/$13.6M
• It's just a 2 year deal and for another team with a lot of cash laying around, but his age is starting to show. We saw Colorado Springs trade away pitching last year for some hitting, this has to be their chance to recoup some on the pitching side and get their owner back into the playoffs after 3 seasons of watching from the sidelines. If he can put up below 4.00 ERA numbers then this deal is worth it. 
• Grade: B
• Del Alvarez (SP) - New York Empire - 30 - 4/$26
• One of the younger Free Agent starters resigns with their former team, not costing New York a draft pick. Should easily net 32 starts and just hit or just shy of 200 innings. He's a mid to front rotation arm, not quite an ace to lead your staff. Hopefully his S55 doesn't prove to be outlier and becomes more than norm than the previous three seasons before that. 
• Grade: B
• Rico Bonilla (SP) - Chicago Gunslingers - 38 - 4/$44.5M w/ mutual & no trade
• This one will completely depends on how well Bonilla ages. He's been a top starter the last few years pitching in New Orleans and if we see two good years and potential title for Chicago then I'll call this a win. The $12.5M 4th year is a mutual option that Bonilla will surely want to exercise, leaving the owner to pay the buyout for his age 41 season. The no trade shouldn't really matter because Chicago is all in to win it, and by year 3 it's likely nobody will want that contact anyways. We won't have to wait until as this season will likely determine the value of this contract.  
• Grade: B (but somebody was going to pay it)
• J.O. Avila (SS) - Tokyo Nomo - 29 - 5/$39M w/ mutual
• Plus range, arm strength, and even better accuracy just below average glove at Shrotsop, so Tokyo signs him and immediately moves him to CF. Considering the two weak Type A RPs Tokyo signed earlier, you gotta feel for Buffalo who now gets a 4th rounder for losing their Type A shortstop. 
• Grade: A+
• Omar Gonzales (1B) - Tokyo Nomo - 30 - 5/$110M w/ player & no trade
• Omar is back in Tokyo and was almost immediately put on the trade block. Not bad if any of the teams trying to sign him had the prospects but most teams willing to take on that contract are likely short on prospects. It's a lot of money but he's recently taken over as the best 1B in the NL over the aging Alex Tarraga. So Tokyo trades Gonzales for a Omar-lite type player and gets him back the following season. And even worse for Hartford, they receive a 5th rounder for losing their stud 1B. 
• Grade: A+
• Shea Crowe (2B) - Chicago Gunslingers - 30 - 5/$110M w/ player & no trade
• To no surprise the reigning NL MVP signs a max deal and with the home town team. For a team shooting for a title, this is a no-brainer. Had to go all out with many other teams competing. As much as I want to write about the owner eating crow on this contract, just can't do it...maybe his next contract. 
• Grade: A+

Type B's
Listed by contract length/value

• Erasmo Rodriguez (3B) - Tokyo Nomo - 29 - 1/$2.6M
• A Third baseman who hits low teens HR and a .260 average and doesn't walk much, still not bad for the cost. Not much to say about him, he's league average but on a nice salary. 
• Grade: B
• Taylor McKay (P) - Philadelphia Harpers - 39 - 1/$3M
• He dropped a bit this offseason but on a $3M flier we'll see if he can produce his S54 over his S53. Roughly the same innings but in S53 his ERA was over 4 points higher! Philly will be looking for their 6th straight division title, which they only won by 1 game last year. Loser wasn't able to secure a wild card slot either. We think his production will be more in the 4.00-5.00 range but the contract doesn't hurt. 
• Grade: B-
• Niko Reddick (RF) - New York Empire - 31 - 1/$3M
• The lefty platoon signs a low level contract for the big budget Empire. The last few years he's added 25-30 SBs with anywhere from 10-20 HRs and a .280ish average. Considering New York likes to run, I'm sure we'll see a few stolen base highlights from Reddick in the near future. And for $3M, we'll take it and still have room for seconds. 
• Grade: A+
• Billy Hursh (SP) - Helena Hot Dogs - 32 - 1/$3.3M
• After a quick rebuild, Helena took the division last season and in their attempt to repeat they've signed some low risk players to pair with their up and coming stars. This one adds tot he rotation and even a middle of the road, 4.50 ERA will help eat innings in a tough American League. His key will be keeping the ball in the park, something he hasn't done well as a starter. 
• Grade: B+
• Harry Padilla (2B) - Helena Hot Dogs - 36 - 1/$4.5M
• He took a hard drop in power and speed over the off-season, even at the age of 36. Helena loves to run so we'll see how many stolen bases he can get for the Hot Dogs. After many years in the .290-.305 range, he hit a career low, .240 last season. It may have been a down year, but considering the drop in power and speed, I'd expect much the same this coming year. He was still able to nab 30 SBs. We'll keep an eye on him but if his power and speed continue to drop, that $4.5M is going to be 4x Padilla's actual worth. 
• Grade: C+
• Eric Pride (RP) - Dover Hazmats - 36 - 1/$4.8M w/ no trade
• He spent most of his time in AAA last year, but he's getting nearly $5M and a no trade this year so surely he'll spent time with the big club as Dover looks to rebound from a last place in the division finish. Given the production in recent years, the no trade, and how much other relievers have been paid we are the Gazette are not fans of this signing. 
• Grade: F
• Moose Beaulac (SP) - OKC Barons - 39 - 1/$5.2M
• Feels like Moose the Loose could have been signed for much lower if OKC had waited, but that's their game I suppose. He's an aging vet who has spent the last 6 seasons with San Juan being moved all over the pitching staff. Perhaps if he settles back into the starter role, we'll start to see something from him again. But it's not likely the ERA will be below 4, even in the pitcher haven of OKC.
• Grade: C+
• Kris Jenkins (SP) - Augusta Alcoholics - 36 - 2/$3M w/ mutual
• It's hard to believe at one point Jenkins made $5M considering his career ERA is a 5.00 with a 1.42 WHIP. At $1.5M it's not a huge commitment, and while he'll eat innings, he's also never had a winning season. Stay tuned for what pick Augusta has in next season's draft. 
• Grade: C-
• Scooter Nixon (RP) - Montreal Fighting Poutine Plates- 28 - 2/$5M
• Scooter the Hooter suits up for the Poutine Plates this season, on an $2.5M per, 2 year deal. He should be considered no more than a SuB; but considering the language barrier speaking French; we suspect it will be a tough season for Nixon. A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits; and this Nixon just keeps on pitching!
• Grade: C
• Bob Stewart (2B) - Philadelphia Harpers - 34 - 2/$5.7M w/ team
• Philly is showing the creativeness with contracts, 70% of this deal is a signing bonus. Meaning if he were traded before the start of the season, the new team would only be responsible for the 2/$1.7M. With extra cash this season, this frees up a lot of money in his Year 2 salary if they choose to exercise it. If he can remain a plus defender in CF it might be worth the low average. With a few more cheesesteaks his weight might balloon past his batting average. 
• Grade: B
• Gorkys Gil (C) - Milwaukee Metronomes - 31 - 2/$7.6M
• Gil is slightly underrated,  he catches roughly 50% of all base runners and calls a decent game, though his pitch framing could use some improvements. He'll bring a .240 bat with limit strikeouts and single digit homeruns. Limiting strikeouts while being a good defensive / sub seems decent value at $3.8M per. 
• Grade: B-
• Harold Eiland (C) - San Juan Fudds - 28 - 2/$8.8M
• He's similar to Gil with a slightly better bat but slightly worse defensively; and less likely to be injured during the season. 
• Grade: B-
• Pierce Denofria (SP) - Montreal Fighting Poutine Plates - 33 - 2/$8.8M
• The last two odd seasons Denorfia has pitched to an under 4.00 ERA, during even seasons he's been above 5.30; it's S55, will the trend continue? If he can eat 180-200 innings on a rebuilding team with less than a 4.50 ERA; I'll consider it a big win. He's on a short term contract valued less than $5M, it seems to be a win. 
• Grade: B-
• Kolton Pujols (SP) - Pittsburgh Yinzers - 34 - 2/$8.8M
• The largest payroll in Cobbfather S55 signs the starter to the same contract Denofria received, but Pujols hasn't nearly put up the same numbers. For a team who won their division, I don't see how Pujols fits unless he's mopping up games and $4.4M is a lot to pay for a mop guy. His WHIP will be above 1.50 and ERA likely above 5.
• Grade: C-
• Felipe Montero (RP) - Tokyo Nomo - 36 - 2/$9.2M w/ mutual & no trade
• At this point I'm surprised Tokyo didn't sign ALL the free agents but Montero is a nice addition to the bullpen and potential closer; saving 70 games out of 81 the last two seasons in Minnesota. The no trade shouldn't matter much on a 2 year deal, especially with the second season being a mutual option; Tokyo will be gunning for the division with all the moves they've made this off-season. 
• Grade: B+
• Andres Caminero (RP) - Anaheim Diablos - 30 - 2/$10M
• $5M per is a lot to pay for a bullpen piece of a rebuilding team who nearly lost 100 games last season, but props to them for spending the money to try and better their major league team instead of saving for International spending like many others. Perhaps Caminero will learn something from Lough. 
• Grade: C
• Juan Sanchez (SP) - Hartford Rising Stars - 36 - 2/$11.2M w/ mutual
• As Hartford continues their playoff push, they look to fill some rotation slots that are now open. The added pitching depth is a must for any time pushing for a title, and that's just what Hartford did here. At $5.6M per, and the being able to cut ties after the first year should be plus.  
• Grade: A-
• Jayson Roof (RP) - Milwaukee Metronomes - 31 - 4/$20 w/ mutual
• The former S52 Fireman of the Year earns himself a $5M per contract with the 4th being a mutual. The Metronomes are backing on a bounce back from last year's miserable season. He blew 10 of his 37 chances but got hit hard, even though he didn't' give up many home runs. If he gets back to form, it may be the piece Milwaukee needs. 
• Grade: B (the risk is worth the reward)
• Valerio Manuel (2B) - Santa Fe Surf Riders VIII - 28 - 4/$21.6M
• Manuel doesn't offer much power, but I've seen bunts go over the outfield fence in Santa Fe. At best he'll be a platoon against righties and defensive specialist around the diamond. He offers quite a bit of speed but that only works if he can get on base. In this free agent market, the contract seems questionable. 
• Grade: C+
• Del Viciedo (SP) - Milwaukee Metronomes - 30 - 4/$22.4 w/ mutual
• Starting pitching was greatly limited this offseason, so snagging a starter for $5.6M already has value, especially one who outside of a bad S52, never pitched above a 3.86 ERA three of the last four seasons. It was just S53 that saw him win 20 games for the Buffalo Bisons. Let's see if he can repeat himself for the Metronomes. 
• Grade: A
• Jimmy Henry (SP) - San Juan Fudds - 33 - 5/$36M w/ mutual
• Pitching is scarce but this is a big commitment to a guy who belongs in the back of a rotation as the 5th or even 6th starter. He'll eat innings and that's what San Juan needs, but the bats better come to the plate for him or it will be yet another losing season for him. 
• Grade: C+

Other Notable Free Agents
Listed by contract length/value

• Deven Aceves (SS) - Helena Hot Dogs - 29 - 1/$1.8M
• Fresh off winning a World Series ring, the Hot Dogs bring on a fantastic defensive glove to come off the bench late in the game, and a steal at under $2M, even better that it's on a one year deal.
• Grade: A+
• Vic Chavez (C/DH/1B) - Helena Hot Dogs - 29 - 1/$3.2M
• The Hot Dogs are apparently picking up former World Series champion NOOFs to their roster this season. Yet another one on a one year deal. Chavez hasn't seen full time at bats since S50, but I assume he's coming off the bench again where he did quite well hitting .280 two of the last three seasons. He'll offer Nunez some rest from the starting catching job as well.
• Grade: B+
• Al Munson (1B) - Minnesota North Stars - 34 - 1/$4.5M
• He's played and found success with Minnesota since S49 where he's stolen no less than 70 bases each of those six seasons. He's your irregular 1B and on a one year deal, he'll look to match or better last year's production of .274 avg with 89 runs and 70 stolen bases. The North Stars likely could have waited a bit on him to keep the cost down a bit.
• Grade: B
• Al Rosario (3B) - Vancouver Canucks - 35 - 2/$7.2M
• Vancouver needed help at the hot corner and they found their man at under $4M. I'd expect much the same the last couple of years, a .250-.270 average with low teens homeruns and similar stolen bases. He's a middle of the road defender so shouldn't cost his starters much in terms of errors and runs. 
• Grade: B
• Thumper Treinen (SS) - Tokyo Nomo - 27 - 2/$8.4M w/ mutual
• Better than average defender who will hit a little better than Aceves. Expect to see him at the bottom of the Nomo's lineup this next season and depending on free agents next year potentially there too. Still young enough that we won't see any drop in talent. 
• Grade: B+
• Sydney Houston (LF) - Tokyo Nomo - 31 - 2/$8.6M w/ mutual
• Where does Tokyo get this money from? Does it grow on trees in Japan? Houston has potential to hit above .300 with low teens home run power but doesn't offer any speed. Mostly a singles hitter but anybody that can move runners has a spot in a lineup. 
• Grade: B+
• Chuck Brinson (1B) - Chicago Gunslingers- 35 - 3/$7.8 w/ team
• Chicago's favorite type of player, a power hitter who lacks fielding skills. With Crowe resigning, it will be interesting to see what Brinson does in the power department; given the drop in power over the off-season we'll curious to see what Brinson looks like come playoff time when it really matters.  The contact the splits are still there, but that 7 point drop in power ratings is going to hurt. Does he go from a 30-40 HR hitter to low 20s? 
• Grade: C+
• Troy Houston (RP) - San Juan Fudds - 35 - 3/$14.2M w/ mutual & no-trade
• Houston's ratings have dropped the last couple of season, but over the off-season seemed to stay close to how he finished the season. He knows the NL South very well, having spent the last three seasons with New Orleans being a key part of their bullpen. It's not big money, but the aging is going to hurt the value of this contract in year 2 and especially 3. Luckily the last is a mutual option; but his no-trade means he's not likely going anywhere anytime soon. 
• Grade: B-
• Al Martinez (1B) - Pittsburgh Yinzers - 34 - 3/$17.6M
• Pittsburgh missed out on Omar Gonzales and Shea Crowe, yet still needed to add a 1B. So they'll have to settle for a three year deal for a 34 year old. The power is starting to drop, but what's next? Outside of an amazing S51, he hasn't done a ton while playing parttime in Chicago. But when you have a window to win the division, you gotta take it!
• Grade: C
• Boone Dowd (RP) - Tacoma Aroma - 32 - 5/$21.3M w/ team
• It's not often you see a team whose lost over 300 games the last three seasons combined extend an offer out to a bullpen arm, especially one whose averaged under 45 games a season the last 4 seasons. At least the team will decide on their own about the final year of the contract; which our guess is will be rejected. Dowd makes good on a fantastic, 35 inning, 0.83 WHIP, 0.26 ERA season in Chicago as one of their SuBs. 
• Grade: C
• Arismendy Butera (1B) - Chicago Gunslingers - 32 - 5/$23M w/ team
• Chicago with another add as they look to defend off against Hartford for the division title. If he can hit in the .290 range; the bats around him in Chicago will be happy! The contract starts off light but the older he gets the higher the cost and likely lower the value he gives in return. We'll see if the current owner is the one to deal with it or not. 
• Grade: B
• Nefi Brogna (SS) - Columbus Corgis - 29 - 5/$33.4M
• It's not an awful deal, but not a great one either. He's still a plus defender but at 29, you have to wonder when the fielding abilities will take a hit. A platoon versus lefties at nearly $6.8M per season seems a bit hefty. Combined with Estrada's contract, the Corgis are paying $13.4M for 162 games at Shortstop. 
• Grade: C+