NALB - 2017 Offseason

K. Fields
2018-08-02T17:03:04-04:00
Baseball

There were some notable roster moves before spring training began for the 2017 NALB season.

The Brooklyn Knights made relatively few offseason moves:

The Knights traded RP Luís Monjarro to the Luisville Beasts in exchange for C Dan Conley, SP Ramón Madriz, RF Jaime Benabise, LF José Burgoa, and CF Wolfe Lucas. Dan Conley was the key acquisition. He is a fine catcher with a career batting average over .300. With the departure of Alvino Flores, Conley is expected to see extensive playing time behind the plate.

Brooklyn extended the contracts of ten players through salary arbitration: Juan Fuentes, Romeo Usquiano, Porfírio Portio, Xerxes Scaife, Bruce MacOmish, Blas Ramos, Tony Tamayo, Maurílio Godim, Lariel Gómez, and Alberto Pescador.

Arbitration was offered to Ángel Santago and Alvino Flores. Both declined and opted to file for free agency.

Arbitration was not offered to Alexis Schmidt.

Signed RP Rikira Kiyomizu to a three year extension at $2 million per year.

Signed RP Bernard Gastelu for another year for $720,000.

Signed international amateurs SP Santiago Decristino from Panama and CF Namboku Shimohira from Japan to minor league contracts.

Notable offseason free agent signings:

The Stade Maples acquired the top player on the free agent market when they signed starter Tyler “Grits” Stivers to a $81.4 million, 6 year contract. That is the third largest contract in NALB history.

Starter Kid Wilson found a new home in Nashville. He agreed to a one year deal with the Firecats worth $5.5 million.

Gene Noke was the most desired catcher available. The Dunedin Otters scooped him up early. Noke got a 5 year commitment worth $33.5 million.

Shortstop Larry Arceniaga was one of the most sought after players in this year’s free agent class. He decided to sign with the Nashville Firecats for $46.1 million over 4 years.

Feliciano Gómez is an athletic player who played several infield positions for the Sky Chiefs over his six year NALB career. The Corals inked a 3 year $15.02 million deal with Gómez to bring him to Key West. What some fans may not be aware of is that Gómez is also an excellent pitcher with a blazing 100 mph fastball. The Corals may put his valuable arm to use in their bullpen.

The Beasts added a big name to its starting rotation by signing pitcher Whitney Sanders for $48 million. Assuming he plays out his contract, Sanders will spend 5 seasons in Luisville.

After seven seasons in Phoenix, superstar closer Stokley “Pumpkin” McGruder has found a new home in Nashville. The Firecats showed their commitment to winning by locking McGruder up for 4 seasons with a $21.4 million contract.

The Richmond Slam will certainly miss their long time second basemen, Edmundo Ovelha. He tested free agency and was rewarded with a 6 year $58.4 million by the St. Rock Mudcats.

In a surprising move, the Dunedin Otters awarded free agent closer D’Ángel Guzmán with a big pay day. His $28.4 million over 3 years surpassed closer Stokley McGruder’s contract, which was signed just nine days before.

Goodbye Brooklyn; hello Vancouver! Left fielder Ángel Santago agreed to a 5 year deal with the Wild worth $48.8 million.

After he was unable to come to terms on an extension with the Brooklyn Knights, catcher Alvino Flores declared free agency. The Phoenix Rattlers eagerly offered him $25.68 million for his services over the next 6 years.

Starting pitcher George Manzo has the distinction of signing the longest contract out of this year’s free agent crop. He and the Vancouver Wild agreed to a 7 year deal for $55.3 million.

Notable offseason trades:

The Washington Allies traded 33-year-old first baseman Pete Porter (retaining 20% of his salary) and 18-year-old minor league starting pitcher Ric Lenhart to the Nashville Firecats, getting 26-year-old catcher Doug Daly in return.

The Las Vegas Luck traded 30-year-old reliever Paul Thompson (retaining 70% of his salary), 21-year-old minor league catcher Heriberto Galarita and $620,000 in cash to the St. James Crusaders, getting 19-year-old minor league starting pitcher Octávio Chávez and 24-year-old minor league shortstop Mark Ferguson in return.

The St. Rock Mudcats traded 25-year-old shortstop Kazuki Sai to the Nashville Firecats, getting 25-year-old reliever Cordero Decena and 22-year-old minor league catcher Iorweth Crease in return.

The Quebeck Sky Chiefs traded 28-year-old starting pitcher Dan Eckenrode and 22-year-old minor league starting pitcher Kearney Snipes to the Washington Allies, getting 21-year-old minor league starting pitcher Dave Kirby and 19-year-old minor league third baseman Kane Wyckoff in return.