Week in review

It was a big week for OOTP transactions as the top pitcher on the market signed a massive deal and two blockbuster trades were completed.

After entertaining free agent offers, Roger Blackwood resigned with the Florida Penguins for 328 million over 9 years.  The contract is the third highest for a pitcher, after the 10 year deals signed by Stephen Hamburg and Silveran Kanan Bonis.  Blackwood had offers from contenders St Louis and Boston, and an even higher total dollar package from the rebuilding Philadelphia Grays, but ultimately choose the familiarity of the Penguin organization.

The team will have a different look in 2020 as several rookies will replace more expensive veterans, and more free agent signings may be on the way after the team freed up additional payroll space through a trade.

The Penguins acquire shortstop Bruno Vogler from Chicago.  As a rookie Vogler played excellent defense and also hit .270 with 23 homers.  The only concern about his game is a propensity to strike out, as he whiffed 190 times.  Vogler is under team control for the next 5 seasons, so getting him had to come at a cost.

Chicago picks up Peter Buchanon and Melvin Ortiz, two veterans on reasonable contracts but who will be free agents at the end of the year.  They also pick up prospect Greg Haase, a promising outfielder with excellent on base skills and speed, plus a player to be named later.

Buchanon, who won 25 games combined in the 2016 season and Penguin championship run, was devastated to learn of the trade.  He gave a farewell speech to listeners of his conservative talk radio show on WPEN, voice of the Penguins.  “Let me assure you that I did not initiate this trade.  I wanted more than anything to be a Penguin for life.  I have truly enjoyed the support of you, the best fans in baseball over these years.  Unfortunately, baseball is a business and this is one possible consequence of the contract I signed.  I will do my best to bring the Chicago Winds back to the World Series, and it would be wonderful if I can meet the Penguins there.”

Chicago followed that trade up by dealing outfielder Byron Jones and starter Ruben Ramirez to Boston for C.C. Salbacca and reliever Ralph Everett.

Ramirez, 34, was 56-42 with a 3.27 ERA in 5 seasons with the Winds.  Jones, 26, hit 28 homers, knocked in 95, and scored 100 runs last year.  He will take over center field in Boston.  Both players will be free agents after the 2020 season.

The Wookiee Salbacca comes with 3 years and 96 million left on his contract.  He had a disappointing 2019 season (11-13, 4.61 ERA), but offers a durable arm and top of the line strikeout ability (248 whiffs).  Salbacca throws 97-99 MPH and the team hopes he returns to his 2017-18 form, when he posted sub 3.00 ERAs.  Everett combines power and control in the bullpen, and had a 70-7 K-W ratio in 53 innings last season.