British Plumbers Beware: CLOGGER exercises contract option

[Underground]

London, GB -

The greatest unknown facing the London Underground front office as their season ended was the status of their superstar slugger Giampaolo "CLOGGER" Eremitani. The fifth and final year of Eremitani's contract included a player option that allowed the player to void the contract and head to free agency. Eremitani earns $29.3 million per season, making him one of the richest players in the league and at age 35 it would surely be a risk to enter the open market as a baseline assumption. However, Eremitani made the London front office sweat during his 2038 campaign by having arguably his best season in PEBA knocking in 132 runs and hitting a near-record 53 home runs. If there was ever going to be a season that might maybe be worth a raise over his rich contract, this was it. Further concerning the London front office was Eremitani's refusal to discuss the looming decision with them or publicly. Hopes that the team's Trans Atlantic crown and 100 win season would lure Eremitani with promises of further success evaporated with a short playoff run that saw the team fail to make it out of the wild card round of the playoffs.

Eremitani, who is a notoriously private person, has still not opened up following the news of him executing his contract going public and has not granted any interview requests yet that we are aware of. London General Manager Evan Seary, speaking at a press conference following the conclusion of the PEBA playoffs, indicated that Eremitani's agent called him about an hour after Toyoma recorded their final out of the season and informed him that his client would be executing his final year of the contract and was looking forward to playing out the remainder of his contract in London. The rapidity of the answer to the question suggests that Eremitani was never really in doubt, but it's unlikely we'll ever know that.

Returning to the club in 2039 allows Eremitani to chase a little bit of Underground history - his 149 career home runs currently rank 4th in team history. He will surely pass Chris Long's 152 in 2039, allowing him to move into 3rd all time in London History. Ascending further than that will require additional seasons as he is currently more than 100 adrift of moving past Leonard Ramsey for #2. If Eremitani remains roughly as productive as he has thus far he should also climb the team's all-time RBI list as well. Currently sitting 9th he should end the year approximately in 6th as long as he has a decent year.

Eremitani spent all but 6 games as DH for London last year and the expectation is more of the same for 2039, particularly due to the log jam of skilled OF prospects London is already trying to find opportunities to get on the field but also because he's a lot better as a batter than a fielder anyway.

The eyes of all London fans will be on CLOGGER in 2039.