Jack Torrance - contributing reporter
Here we are at the halfway mark of free agency with quite a few names having been signed but the big ones are still collecting offers. Below is what's left of payroll, as you can see Tokyo still has enough to offer both Shea Crowe and Omar Gonzales max deals, but even if he will can he sign them both? Chicago is still in the running for Crowe but Hartford will be out on Omar. That tie breaker will likely just come down to the coaches, assuming he reaches the max deal everyone thinks he will.
- Tokyo
- Has the money to sign both Omar and Crowe to max deals with plenty of wiggle room, but can they do it? What does his hitting and fielding coaches look like, have they been signed? They have the most money, but all it takes is enough room for a max deal to land in the tie breaker for the player. Luckily he won't have to decide which player to chase after first, just throw both contracts out there and hope at least one sticks.
- Has $52.2M in offers on the table.
- Columbus
- No longer has the money to max out both players, but definitely has the need for both. It might all come down to the tie breaker of coaches or home squad with Crowe. I'd expect them to make a play for Omar first and if they lose out, shift over to the 2B.
- Has $22.3M in offers on the table.
- Chicago
- Only has money for one and since they get the hometown discord for Crowe, it's safe to say if they pursue one of them it will be him. Don't be surprised when he resigns for another 5 years in Chicago. I've been wrong before but I'll count them out on Omar.
- Has $30.4M in offers on the table.
- Pittsburgh
- Given their need for high power hitting, they could use either player and as long as they have max money available, and they do; they'd be in the running for the tie breaker so nobody cares that they have less available than the three above them. I'd suspect Omar over Crowe, but wouldn't be surprised to hear he swings the other way.
- Has $25.2M in offers on the table.
- New York
- Always spending big, could New York get the W and bring home one of the two stud players on the market? If our numbers are right, they have just enough to clear a max deal but he'll have to pick one to chase after first.
- Has $22.6M in offers on the table. Though rumors say they haven't gone a full 5 years on any deals yet.
- Augusta, Mexico City, Montreal, Helena
- These teams have the money to sign either, and Helena is the dark house to surprise us; but I'd expect all these teams to be saving for IFA spending later in the season.
- Another player to watch is Rico Bonilla (38 yr old SP). Best remaining pitcher out there but age isn't on his side. He'll be useful for at least S55 for a team shooting for the playoffs but how many years after that is the question. Keep your eyes peeled for where he lands.
