The Malthouse – Madison, WI: July 11th, 2033

The question is simple, should he stay or should he go? Marcos Sánchez has got to have the Clash’s hit single playing on repeat in his mind all season as he is questioned about his contract’s opt out clause at least once a week this season. 

The former 13th overall pick in the 2018 draft, Sánchez made headlines in the 2030 offseason when he rejected a qualifying offer from the only team he’s ever played for, the Kentucky Thoroughbreds, opting to leave and test the waters of free agency for the first time. 

Sánchez was in for the ride of his life with the 11 year career he put together in Kentucky.

• .289 AVG/ .351 OBP/ .515 SLG
• 1,422 Hits
• 270 HR
• 846 RBI
• 3x All-Star
• 1x Wild Card MVP, Divisional MVP, League Championship MVP winner
• 1x Platinum Stick Award winner
• 1x Royal Raker Award winner
• 3x appearances in the Championship series, but was unable to win it all

Marcos left Kentucky in the top 3 in almost every team hitting category, and still holds the team record for homeruns, RBI, and more infamously, strikeouts.

The offseason saw another huge 3B star hit the market as well with Luis Cedeño testing the waters. A bidding war like no other began, but in the end,  Sánchez went first to Canton (now Madison) on the 19th of December to the tune of 6-years and $197,500,000 setting the bar high. Cedeño then cleaned up the 3B market to the tune of a 6-year contract worth a total of $255,350,000 with the San Antonio Calzones of Laredo. Both teams signaling to the league that they are tired of being at the bottom.

Sánchez went on to help the rebuilding Malts while focusing on himself and what he can pass on to the game. Since joining Madison, he has gone on to join the 300+ homerun club, the 1,000+ RBI club, and is set to make his 4th All-Star appearance as a starter for the Sovereign League All-Stars tomorrow. But the question remains, is he happy?

Marcos also employees a shrewd agent that wisely built in a player opt out clause after year three of his six year contract, as well as a player option for year six. Let’s be clear, Madison’s rebuild has gone a lot slower than everyone expected.. myself included. They have the potential to break even at .500 this year for the first time since 2028, but still have holes to fill, a rotation that is only 3/5 defined, a farm system that is reaching its maturity quickly, and a very young team overall that is not quite hitting on all cylinders yet. Throw in the ever changing environment and franchise, new locale, and a fancy stadium; it’s not hard to imagine why things are not feeling just right yet for this franchise.

Does Sánchez want to get back to the Championship picture? If so, that is unlikely in the near future in Madison with the slow build up. Regardless, he has given himself some options. Playing some elite level baseball out of the gate, Marcos was on pace for the best statistical year in his career. While that has been tempered a bit as of late, he is still on pace for one of his best years ever. So, with another $102 million still owed to him from 2034-2036, does Sánchez stick around and try to help the meandering Malts find their playoff mojo? Or does he opt out and hit the market, trying to outdo Cedeño and chase that ever elusive Championship trophy while he is showing that he is not ready to slow down just yet?

Conductor.. play me that Clash song one more time while I drink this Moon Man… this offseason will either be a big hopeful step in the right direction, or another sad blow to shrinking mojo in Madison.

– Damson Actinon, The Malthouse: Revolving Tap