[mikev]

Off Season Musings...

A few quick news and notes items from the current offseason, because we're really not gonna be too active on the FA front.

- Our first order of business was to evaluate the financial situation, as we were fairly signifigantly over budget last year, but had the cash on hand to absorb the hit. Ownership responded positively, and raised the payroll budget to a nice round 85 million dollar figure. Woot!

- Next up was our first player decision, made signifigantly easier by our newfound budget flexibility. Outstanding reliever Hsin-ta Jin, aquired at the trade deadline for youngster Yat-sen Xing, was given a 3 year contract extension averaging just a smidge over six million dollars per season. The third year is a team option. In 21 games after being traded to California, Jin posted a tidy 5-0 record with 4 saves and a miniscule 1.01 WHIP. His ability to pitch multiple innings was huge down the stretch for the Crusaders and retaining the popular lefty was considered vital to GM Mike Voelker.

- The Rule 5 draft came and went, and there were several players that we looked hard at taking a flyer on. In the end, no selections were made by the team as we did not feel that a roster spot would be available for the entire season. We did lose one player, starter Tom Adams was picked by Las Vegas in the first round. Adams is a 30 year old lefty who has never appeared in a big league game, but was pretty good in Triple A. I'm half expecting him to be offered back by midseason, but he's really no big loss.

- We're not planning on too much in Free Agency, as we only had 1 player who was possibly leaving (Jin). Barring any wacky off-field injuries, I can't see much happening with the active roster. The only guy we made an offer to got signed by Santo Domingo. What the f**k, LCG? You can't be bothered to export more than twice during the regular season but then you get off your gigantic ass and make some FA offers? Go pound sand while I run you over with my FOUR WHEELS OF FURY.

That's about it so far. We'll probably toss some minor league deals out there, but having a little bit of payroll room is never a bad thing and I think with another year of seasoning we'll be right there with LA for the Pacific division.