NALB - 2013 Offseason

Before the 2013 NALB season, there were many important roster moves. The free agent market was rich with top talent and several superstars signed with new teams.

The Brooklyn Knights made several offseason moves:

• Closer Bernard Gastelu decided against pursuing more money on the open market. He opted to sign with the Knights for $12 million over two years.
• Instead of declaring free agency, starting pitcher José Arisa agreed to a two year $13 million deal.
• Left handed relief pitcher Ron Deluna agreed to a one year extension for $650,000.
• The retirement of Darryl Rineer left a vacancy in the organization’s personnel. In response, the Knights signed Penrice Scott as its new Scouting Director. Scott is a 59 year old from Dix Hills, NY who liked the idea of staying close to home.
• Brooklyn signed a new bench coach, Ramírez Gandola. The 54 year old Columbian has a background as a very successful hitting coach. He agreed to a four year contract at $320,000 per year.
• The Knights extended the contracts of eight players through salary arbitration: Alexis Schmidt, Hsiao-lou Yeh, Carl Gwinn, Lonnie Bennett, Rigo Hurtado, Rico Haros, Francisco Jimenez, and Zhu-Ian Xian.
• Free agent pitcher Bris Clark finally agreed to a one year deal on March 2, 2013, the first day of spring training. The 33 year old right-hander spent the first eight years of his career with the Richmond Slam. His past three years have been with the Nashville Firecats. After spending the last two years as a starter, Clark is ready to return to the bullpen, the role of which he is most familiar.

Notable offseason signings:

• Center Fielder Dorian Chivers signed a one year extension with the Washington Allies for $3,650,000.
• The Washington Allies extended the contract of catcher Charles Attaway for another year. Attaway will pocket $5,590,000 for the deal.
• Catcher Willie Nolan signed a $4,710,000 one year extension that will keep him with the Cornfield Axemen.
• Hsiao-lou Yuan inked a one year extension with the St. James Crusaders. The star third baseman accepted the team’s offer of $6,080,000.
• Superstar pitcher Tyler “Grits” Stivers signed on for another year with the St. Rock Mudcats. He was offered $6,680,000 to anchor the team’s rotation.
• Matthew “Bulldog” Loy became the latest catcher to sign for big money. He closed a one year deal for $8,260,000 to stay with the Key West Corals.
• The Washington Allies locked up a solid left hander for its rotation by extending the contract of Porfiro Quiñones for one year. The deal was worth $3,780,000.
• Three time all-star center fielder Roy “Firecracker” Dabbs agreed to play for the Corals for another year. Key West will pay him $7,170,000.
• Dunedin may have gotten a bargain by extending Lewis Mcgrew’s contract for only $3 million. The reliable starter signed for another year with the Otters.
• The Crusaders liked what they saw in second baseman Brian Bundy last season after they traded with the Grizzlies to get him. St. James extended his contract another year for $3,990,000.
• Héctor De Echevarría will play third base for the Richmond Slam again in 2013. His one year extension was for $6,430,000.
• Catcher Dacey Rager put his signature on a contract that will keep him in Nashville for another year. The deal is valued at $5,440,000.
• Free agent Martin Swader signed with a new team after spending the last three seasons with the Brooklyn Knights. The shortstop opted for a $11,490,000 deal over two years with the Dunedin Otters.
• After seven years with the Vancouver Wild, pitcher Tony Martell has found a new home. The Luisville Beasts acquired the right handed starter thanks to a three year deal, which is worth a total of $5,040,000.
• Key West retained the services of left fielder Alonso Martucci. He is expected to earn every bit of the $4,310,000 promised him for the year.
• Moray Williams will play third base for the Luck for at least one more year. Williams will earn $6 million as part of the settlement.
• The Mudcats made a big splash in free agency by signing Charles Difranco, formerly of the Firecats. The St. Rock press reported the deal was for $33.7 million over three years. Known primarily as a shortstop, Difranco is expected to play third base for the Mudcats.
• Las Vegas announced the signing of lefty reliever Peanuts Levering. Levering will earn $3,660,000 per year over the next three years.
• If there was a question as to whether the Mudcats intend to compete for the division title, this offseason put any doubts to rest. Fans in St. Rock rejoiced as first baseman Travis “The Beast” Araoz joined their beloved team. The 31 year old came to terms with the Mudcats and will be hauling in $93,160,000 over seven years, the largest contract in NALB history. Araoz is a two time triple crown winner. In addition to being the league’s most feared hitter, he is also the winner of multiple Slick Fielder Awards.
• Some fans questioned Dayton’s signing of relief pitcher Ellis Sherling. The Grizzlies will pay him $13,080,000 over two years.
• Former Sky Chief Daniel Salley signed with the Stade Maples. The left fielder’s deal was worth a hefty $43,680,000 for four years.
• Starter George Manzo signed with the Las Vegas Luck after several years with the Dunedin Otters. He inked a $5,240,000 two year deal.
• Long time Stade shortstop Leslie Hubbard is moving to Phoenix. The Rattlers announced signing him to a five year, $57,550,000 contract.
• Veteran starting pitcher Alberto Harrington and Dayton agreed on a four year deal for $5,450,000 per year.
• The Firecats added a big bat with the signing of second baseman John Edwards. After many successful seasons with the Cornfield Axemen, he was lured by Nashville’s $41,250,000 contract, which runs for three years. The former triple crown winner will help fill the void in the lineup caused by the loss of Charles Difranco.
• The Maples and Gene Noke reached an accord which brings the catcher to Stade for four years. Noke will pocket a total of $10,360,000. He is widely expected to contribute significantly to the club’s playoff drive.
• The Washington Allies significantly beefed up its bullpen by signing closer Pat Allen. The 34 year old agreed to a three year contract worth $22,370,000.

Notable offseason trades:

• The Quebeck Sky Chiefs sent 25 year old reliever Boris Crookshanks to the Las Vegas Luck in exchange for 23 year old minor league first baseman Jesús Quintona.
• Luisville sent 33 year old third baseman Mahlon Torres and $3 million in cash to the Sky Chiefs in exchange for 25 year old reliever Francisco Daza and 21 year old minor league reliever Pedro Villarrenel.