The Rebels fought hard to finish as high in the standings as possible in 2011 to squeeze the most out of their Home Team Budget. With a gaudy .04 at their disposal and only one player to use it on (Brian Wilson) decisions needed to be made.
All winter long in the palatial loft of Stubby Barnes’, Team Capologist, barn evaluation was being made of the current Rebel roster and the reports coming from the Giants about Brian Wilson’s elbow.
“We have Putz, Hanrahan and we just picked up Lidge,” barked Red Morrell, Rebel Executive VP.
“Yes,” replied Bentel, “but Lidge is getting old and his K/BB numbers have not been impressive lately. Plus Wilson has been a mainstay in our pen since we snagged him in 2006 in the Free Agent Pool. We worked hard to get the four cents. I want to use it if it makes sense.”
Capologist Barnes seemed to side with Bentel. “If he’s sound coming out of spring training and the league doesn’t overprice him, I say we grab him,” Barnes said conspiratorially.
Over at DoorMatt headquarters, Team President Matt Bentel and GM Wayne Rice had their own decisions to make.
Quick aside - Wayne could join Rebel Headquarters any time he wants and at any price. Not because he’s helped guide the DoorMatts to four money places in the last six years but because he is a dead ringer for Randy Owen, lead singer for Dem Rebels official music group – Alabama.
Having snagged the Sweet Spot they had the full complement of six cents to use toward their Home Town Discount players. But they had to decide from among the likes of Shane Victorino, Josh Johnson, Jair Jurrjens, Garret Jones, Carlos Marmol, Luke Gregerson and Dan Uggla.
The conversation went pretty easy at times. “Carlos Marmol,” began Wayne. “I think we cut ties completely.”
“I agree,” concurred Bentel. “I can’t take another season of being a Cubs fan and having him on my CFCL roster. The grabber’s going to come eventually. I don’t need Marmol being the reason.”
“OK, so that leaves three pitchers and three fielders with .06 to use,” recapped Rice. “Maybe we look at grabbing one or two from each group.”
“Johnson scares me,” said Matt. “I’ll play it real cool at the draft, maybe even feign some interest to drive the price up, but unless he’s sitting at .09, I’m not taking him. I don’t think he’s fully recovered from his injuries. We have a pretty strong pitching staff, so I don’t want to take Johnson or Marmol or Jurrjens for the sake of using the Home Team Discount.”
“What we need is offense,” concluded Rice. “If we could get Victorino and his five categories back in our outfield, that would be righteous.”
“Don’t talk like that, it’s embarrassing,” chided Bentel. “But I like your thinking. We need Victorino. Let’s plan on getting him back and see how our budget and the draft plays out for guys like Gregerson and Jones.”
“Sweet!” exclaimed Rice. “Should we do our secret-supercool-trademarked high-five and hip bump?”
As a result of this incredible preparation, the DoorMatts avoided (through two weeks) Johnson’s 8.38 ERA; Jones’ platooning one homerun; Marmol’s plethora of blown saves; Jurrjens 7.71 ERA; Gregerson’s 1.8 WHiP and no holds; and Uggla’s .300 OBP and four RBIs. Meanwhile they did benefit from Victorino’s four steals, .381 OBP and six runs scored.
Meanwhile on the southside of the country, Rebel management took a different approach. The Rebels had picked up Brad Lidge at .03 during Winter Waivers to add to the stable of Hanrahan and Putz. The closer the time came to Roster Freeze Day, the more numerous and lengthy the meetings became in Barnes’ loft. A lot of hay was thrown around weighing the options. Morrell mused that they could keep Lidge and not worry about Wilson.
Bentel and Barnes were concerned that Lidge was coming off an injury and didn’t really have a role in the Nationals bullpen, with Storen and Clippard firmly entrenched in the closer and set-up role respectively. Not to mention David Hernandez lurking around waiting for a chance.
Ultimately it was decided to release Lidge (who would become the closer when Storen fell to an injury) and keep an eye on Wilson in the draft, hoping not to overpay. Bentel’s approach was to use the Home Team Discount if it meant settling on a salary for Wilson in the low to mid teens. All the spring training reports were that Wilson had a “cranky” elbow but would be ready by Opening Day.
“At the time it seemed like a good strategy and on Opening Day things fell the way we wanted,” recalls Bentel. “Wilson was nominated late in Round 3 after guys like Heath Bell, Huston Street, Carlos Marmol, Jonathon Papelbon, all of who – except for Marmol – went for more than Wilson.”
“We had the budget and needed another guy for our bullpen. We knew Wilson, liked him for his 35-45 saves since 2008 and dammit we had the Home Team Discount we worked so hard for.”
Looking back on it, Dem Rebels could have used the .15 spent on Wilson and the .05 they left on the table (for a total of .20) to go after Javy Guerra, Sergio Romo or even Ryan Dempster.
“That dog won’t hunt,” proclaims Bentel when that line of thinking is suggested. “Brian’s been an integral part of our team for years and I stand by my decision, even if Red and Stubby throw biscuits at me at mornin’ chow and call me ‘hayseed’”.
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