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October 15, 1920
It's free agent filing day. A bunch of players elected to sign one year deals with this new league in the hope that the league becomes a success and they can cash in. We'll see if the gamble was worth it. Some of the top guys available...

Starting RHP Jared Way (27 years old)
Way had some struggles in the final games of the COBRA Cup but he is going to be hot property. He finished 3rd for Pitcher of the Year with a 25-8 record, 2.49 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 1.92 FIP. He's asking for $32k, 50% more than the current top paid player of the league (3B Dennis Sullenger at $21k) and well above the $5k he was paid by the Roosters.

First Baseman RHB Vladik Zavalin (31 years old)
Zavalin is a big boy (6'5" and 245lbs) and he produces big numbers. He delivered 47 home runs and 130 RBIs for the Whiskeytown Ducks while providing superb defense at First Base. He's asking for $20k, a tidy increase on the $15k that the Ducks paid. Unicorn Point has already been rumoured of being interested.

Third Basemen LHB Gavin Utter (29 years old)
Another member of the Whiskeytown Ducks. Utter is a solid force at the plate. He walks more often than he strikes out (63 to 55) and provides a good number of Home Runs (27). He's not particularly great defensively nor does he provide much speed on the basepaths but he's certainly one of the best Third Basemen out there. Injury ended his season early last year but he should be in good shape for 1921. He's asking for the rather particular figure of $19,714. A tidy increase on his previous $15k.

Shortstop RHB Tristan Lyngstrad (30 years old)
Well-rounded at the plate but a bit weak defensively, could possibly be better off shifted to Third but that's hardly my spot. Formerly of the Northlands Polar Bears he's asking for $19,222, a big increase on his $4,750 from 1920.

Left Fielder RHB J.R. Shouse (28 years old)
The third player that Whiskeytown has lost to free agency (and we've only covered five players!) Shouse packs a lot of power with 37 home runs in 1920 that got his OPS up over 1.000. He's a very positive influence in the locker room. He's asking for $17,143. Up from $12k.

Third Baseman LHB Tommy Glass (37 years old)
Our first player to be lowering their asking price. Glass got $18k last season from the Spice District Roosters but he's reportedly only asking for $16.4k at the moment. He's getting up there in age and the injury history is starting to pile up but Glass still has the skills for a major contribution. It's definitely a risky deal to be made though.

Shortstop RHB Nathan Crews (38 years old)
Crews is always trying to figure how he's going to get his next single. He lives and dies by the hit. His walks were higher than strikeouts in 1920 but you're not going to get much of either from him. He tied his teammate Kian Lehn for the hit streak record last year with 23 games. Dustland Sharks paid him $14k last season and he's now asking for $16,250

This free agency class is dominated by hitters though there are some solid pitchers further down the list that will prove useful for any team. Jared Way is the one that everyone is interested in though.

October 19, 1920
It seems that Amelia City isn't particularly interested in competing next season as they send off 32 year old RF Bryson James to Saffron for a couple of teenagers. James hit .302/.352/.487 over 102 games last season for a tidy 120 OPS+. He has a cannon for an arm as well. On the other hand, the Metros have lost their #1 starter so might just be freeing up payroll to make a play in free agency. I shouldn't judge so quickly.

October 21, 1920
In an interesting move, the Northlands Polars Bears have moved 40 year old LF Clayton Fleming to the Sugar Factory Elephants in exchange for some decent looking minor leaguers. Fleming has an amazing eye and some decent power but he's useless defensively. That's a win for the Polar Bears I'd say.

October 23, 1920
We get our first move in the free agency market as J.R. Shouse signs with his old team, the Whiskeytown Ducks for a $69k/4yr deal. Pretty much exactly what he was asking for.

October 24, 1920
Vladik Zavalin is the next piece to fall as he signs a $76k/4yr deal with the Sugar Factory Elephants. Elias Ballard, who held the 1B slot for the Elephants in 1920 is expected to shift over to 3B to accommodate Zavalin. The contract is very friendly to Zavalin who can opt out after year two and three.

October 29, 1920
The Salt Quarter Penguins and Jared Way have just shattered the record books. Hang on while I get my jaw off the floor.

The Penguins have signed Jared Way to a $248k/7yr deal. That's $35,400 a year. The previous highest value of a total deal was $105k, and the previous highest annual salary was $21k. In a day, Way has reshaped the market.

October 30, 1920
Tristan Lyngstrad signs a $131k/7yr deal with Hadestown. Just a day ago this would have been the biggest contract in history and now it just evokes a shrug of the shoulders. This deal will take Lyngstrad to his age-37 season, the final year has a vesting clause. This also means that 24 year old SS Luke Boyer gets booted from his starting role and will start 1921 on the bench.

November 5, 1920
The Spice District Roosters make their first move of the offseason with a $106k/6yr deal with Gavin Utter. The deal makes a lot of sense for the Roosters who lost their current 3B (Tommy Glass) to free agency. Utter is on about the same level as Glass except he's 8 years younger.

November 8, 1920
The Penguins make another splash with the signing of 1B Kyle Lownes for a $53k/4yr deal. Their previous First Baseman (41yr old McKenzie Bellows) retired. Lownes, who led the leagues in doubles during his time with the Unicorns should slot in nicely.

November 15, 1920
It was quiet for a week in baseball and then everything got announced today.

Tommy Glass will make his way from the best team in baseball... to the worst. He signed a $40k/3yr deal with the Crimson Forest Falcons that'll keep him going until his age-40 season.

The Northlands Polar Bears get themselves young RHP Jeremiah Hinton for a $46k/3yr deal. That'll help shore up the Elijah Shumate led rotation.

Unicorn Point sign Nathan Crews to a $28k/2yr deal. The deal will take him to his age-40 season if he meets the vesting criteria for the second year. Their current Shortstop has left in free agency so Crews should slot right in.

The Unicorns also announced a $51k/4yr deal with 30 year old Matty Richey. They actually traded Richey to the Salt Quarter Penguins at the deadline last season, so welcome back Matty!

And final Unicorn Point news, they put $66k/4yrs into 27 year old pitcher Kellan Sullivan who comes over from Port Magnolia. It currently looks like he'll slot into the #3 spot on their rotation.

December 15, 1920
I said above that the Roosters had made a good deal for Gavin Utter but news came out today that made me look an idiot. Utter, injured but scheduled to be all good for opening day in 1921 reinjured himself in a light workout. He's going to undergo surgery and doctors don't expect him to return for four months.

Good work signing this guy to a 6 year deal.