5 offseasons ago (Season 9), Ripken, Jr saw its biggest offseason in its young history. Actually the biggest offseason free agent bonanza I've seen in any of my worlds. Aside from your typical top shelf free agents, there were 7 sure fire hall of famers, 7 likely 1st ballot hall of famers all on the market at the same point. To make matters worse, its not like this was a big surprise, seemingly every team had prepared 2-3 seasons in advanced to be a player in that market when big contracts were handed out like candy on halloween. So five seasons later, as all of their contracts have expired, how did it turn out?
Lets start with TedWilson who wasn't scheduled to hit the market, but in order to save money saw his option declined by irock, only to be picked up at a cheaper (season 9) price w/ 3 more years tacked on to the back end. Wilson was the coming off MVP awards in season 8, along w/ a season 1 MVP, so to say his declined option on a $20.0 mil contract was a surprise is obvious. At the age of 30 that offseason, there was no doubt he was at his peak skill rate, and his lower makeup meant he'd see a decline earlier than some others was to be expected, however he started slipping in skill right away and took big steps back in just 2 offseasons later. It seemed neither irock, nor the slew of coaches afterwords were able to recapture his MVP magic. He put a respectable .850ish OPS over the next 4 seasons, however he was never able to recapture the 1.000+ OPS magic he had in the 3 years prior to hitting that offseason. In fact, Ted Wilson never saw an additional award come his way after compiling a slew of silver sluggers, all star appearances and MVPs thru the first 8 seasons. The $52 mil irock had spread out over 4 seasons sure looked like a bargin at the time, but seemingly became an albratros to the rebuilding owners who took over down the road. Following the end of this contract, Ted Wilson never played another game in Ripken, JR, however after retiring this offseason, he became part of the 1st hall of fame class, an honer well deserved.
AchilesCohen is one of the elite power bats this world has seen. At the ripe age of 28, sporting 98 power he hit the open market. His high makeup and age meant he was going to keep just about all of that power thru the length of his contract. 98 power doesn't grow on trees, especially from a guy capable of playing more than just 1b. A power man's 3b, or a top shelf corner outfield bat, his $100 mil contract over 5 seasons was no surprise. Cohen has been surprisingly short of awards thru his career, but he's going to end his career w/ the most homers in this world, a feat not to be overlooked. Achiles knocked out 267 long balls over the coarse of his 5 year deal. At the age of 33, he applied for free agency once again this past offseason and signed a very reasonable 3 year deal for $19.5 mil and has already knocked out 10 long balls as he hopes to make a late season push towards home run #700.
LarryCarver's power wasn't quite in the range of Cohen, but his play in the field, particularly his range was much stronger. Salem was able to secure season 3's MVP for $99.5 mil over 5 years after just missing out on Philip Cashman. Cashman was never able to recapture another MVP w/ Salem but he did reward their fans with a world series title in season 9, in addition to all star game appearance in season 10, 11 & 12. Carver knocked out 40+ dingers while playing solid defense in RF each of his 1st 4 seasons of this deal, before a drop of power 2 offseasons ago lead to a drop in homers to 34. Despite hitting the FA market this past offseason, Salem was able to secure his bat for a nother 3 seasons and $20.4 mil. Salem was certainly hoping for more than the 1 WS ring Carver helped bring to the great northwest, but its hard to argue w/ the team's overall success the last 5 seasons.
PhillipCashman was the last of the big bats to hit the market in season 9. A poor man's short stop defensively, but a gold glover at 3b, 2b or any corner OF spot, his switch hitting ability, upper 80s power, and great eye made him arguably the greatest all around position player not only of that offseason, but in the this world. Pittsburgh was able to sign him for $100 mil over 5 seasons. Cashman would later get traded from Pittsbugh for hall of fame pitcher Pat Politte, but his all star game appearances in all 5 seasons of his deal, and his 4 silver sluggers at 3b show that he was well worth the investment. Cashman avoided the free agent market this offseason, electing to re-up w/ Louisville for 4 years, $8.1 mil per season. While his range and power have certainly taken a hit, Cashman remains one of the better all around players in this world and a sure fire hall of famer.
Considering how great Cashman is, the arm he fetched mush have been pretty good right? Well would you believe that arm was also a part of this free agent class? PatPolitte was one of 3 pitchers in this class to pick up a max contract, $110 mil over 5 seasons, including the max bonus. Politte made the all star team with irock, then after getting swapped over to Pittsburgh the folling offseason for Cashman, proceeded to pick up back to back cy young awards in seasons 10 & 11, only to top them off with back to back world series rings in seasons 12 & 13. Not bad, eh? Politte, now 36 resigned w/ Pittsburgh for $50 mil over 3 seasons. Despite the slow start, he's aged well and should pass jesus Fernandez for most career wins by the time he hangs them up and will make a run at 300 wins.
When Salem traded away ChadLamb prior to season 8 it was thought he'd never set foot in a Salem uniform again. Lamb was let go in a move to secure pitching that would be around the organization longer and free up room for the much needed big bat. Flytekk picked up Lamb for a max contract as the cream on top of his organization overhaul. Lamb won 2 NL cy youngs for flytekk prior to getting traded to NY last offseason and winning the AL cy young. Most important, Lamb was the final piece to flytekk's rebuilding puzzle and rewarded him with a WS championship in season 11. Realizing he liked the rebuilding more than the actual championship, Fly moved him to New York to start the rebuilding process. Fly has since left the game, but his championship will always live in history. Meanwhile, in a move the organization never thought would happen, Salem brought Lamb back into the fold this past offseason @ $77 mil over 5 years hoping to help recapture some of the World Series magic he had twice brought to the organization.
Finally, OscarBaumann rounded out the stars in this free agent class. At the time of his signing in season 9, there was no question Oscar was the most accomplished pitcher in this world's early history. An all star each of the first 8 seasons, a 4 time Cy Young winner, even a perfect game in the mix all at the age of 32 w/ a 94 make up rating. There was no reason to think he'd fall off cliff as hard as he did. Former world commish zhawk's had let his training budget slip a little, then he left the game completely with no reasoning. The result was a team that aged quickly thru neglect. Baumann tossed up 20 wins in season 9, but once zhawks left in neglect during season 10, it was all down hill. The 19 losses in season 11 was once unthinkable, but the result of the mess zhawks had left behind. Baumann was eventually moved to Salem last season hoping to recapture some of that prior glory, before hitting the free agent market this offseason. He signed with Durham for $4.6 mil this offseason where's he remains in the bullpen once again putting up good numbers. He should be a 1st ballot lock overall, but it will always be a shame that he'll miss out on the 50 or so wins left on the table thru neglect. I think I'm not the only one hoping he'll see another all star game out of the pen before its all said and done.
In conclusion, it would appear Salem, Austin & Pittsburgh all won that offseason as their moves from that city (or subsequent flip in Pittsburgh) were keys to their WS titles that followed.
