The World Independent League News #1 - Jan 2024
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 5:26 pm
Some of the new WIL franchises have been flexing their financial muscles early in free agency blowing their budgets early on. With rumours abounding that their WIL sponsors World Sports TV will not be so generous with purse strings next year several of the ex-PEBA franchises chose to spend the money quickly.
The New Jersey Hitmen handed out two big contracts, 32-yr-old Shortstop Ricardo Zambrano after seven years with the former PEBA Manchester Maulers picked up a five-year $46.5 million deal while 35-yr-old starter Kantaro Watanabe collected a 3-year deal worth $22.5 million. Watanabe had been pitching for three years in the LRS with the Nara Knights posting a 42-23 record and a 2.34 ERA.
The Marseille Fishermen also flashed the cash with a $28 million 2-year deal for former RGV infielder 34-yr-old Mario Tessier. The Fishermen also completed the WIL's first ever trade as they sent 31-yr-old first base slugger James McJanett to fellow breakaway club Manchester in exchange for 28-yr-old outfielder Joe Barton.
Niihama-shi Ghosts offered the biggest surprise when they gave 34-yr-old catcher Stan Holmes a two-year $28.9 million deal. Although Holmes has had a 10-year PEBA career he has only been a starter in 2015 & 2018. He has in his limited outing though shown a cannon of an arm behind the plate and few have tried to run on him
The New Jersey Hitmen handed out two big contracts, 32-yr-old Shortstop Ricardo Zambrano after seven years with the former PEBA Manchester Maulers picked up a five-year $46.5 million deal while 35-yr-old starter Kantaro Watanabe collected a 3-year deal worth $22.5 million. Watanabe had been pitching for three years in the LRS with the Nara Knights posting a 42-23 record and a 2.34 ERA.
The Marseille Fishermen also flashed the cash with a $28 million 2-year deal for former RGV infielder 34-yr-old Mario Tessier. The Fishermen also completed the WIL's first ever trade as they sent 31-yr-old first base slugger James McJanett to fellow breakaway club Manchester in exchange for 28-yr-old outfielder Joe Barton.
Niihama-shi Ghosts offered the biggest surprise when they gave 34-yr-old catcher Stan Holmes a two-year $28.9 million deal. Although Holmes has had a 10-year PEBA career he has only been a starter in 2015 & 2018. He has in his limited outing though shown a cannon of an arm behind the plate and few have tried to run on him