November 2022 Transactions
November 5:
41-year-old OF
Ilye Lilo has been with Semyof through two relegations now, and the promotions back to the EL that followed, and he's choosing to stick around, signing a 2-year contract extension worth $5.6 million just before hitting free agency. Probably not a full-time starter ever again but he was an above average hitter in the Second League last year.
November 6:
Free agency day. 141 Elite League players became free agents today, plus thousands of others from lower leagues.
On the first day of free agency, Fampalo strike with the first big amateur signing, bringing in
SP Shutsichei Tinashatale on a 5-year contract worth $26 million. Tinashatale is an old-school type of pitcher, curveball-change-not much velo. He should slot right into the middle of the Fampalo rotation.
November 10:
Tsapna have acquired
SS Kotsimare Wamia from the nearby Ransu Cobras (Northeast League One, tier 5) for not all that much but salary relief, with the Cobras in a bit of trouble. Wamia was a 12-win player in tier 5 last year, and likely displaces previous starter Kysatse Nysotof.
November 13:
Meka make their first signing as an EL club, landing arguably the 2nd-best amateur pitcher available in
SP Fum Pese.
November 14:
A fairly rare trade between EL clubs. This one had former Lutrul SP
Rani Chamloha heading to Kepmem with cash for two non-notable prospects. Chamloha's only previous mention in this thread was hitting someone in the face with a pitch, but maybe this will be good anyway.
November 24:
The big amateur free agent domino falls early this year -
SP Kes Nokolo has indeed signed with Keleri, as I guessed he might. It's a big guarantee for a first pro contract (6 years, $60.9 million), but he might actually start for this storied team on Opening Day.
A one-day shopping spree for Westline, signing five players and committing over $135 million on a single day. The new Liners are:
- OF Chatiri Shosotsoke, 16, 8 years/$64MM - the top amateur outfielder, as mentioned in the last post. Profiles as an immediate threat from the leadoff spot, and Westline doesn't need him to play center, which is probably good.
- 2B Nukacholo Riseki, 19, 4 years/$26MM - the Second League MVP in 2020, he exercised his relegation clause when Linir BC got relegated from the 2L this season.
- CL Chiamo Wirilen, 24, 3 years/$13MM - 28 saves this year for a relegated Hokrof team, might not close at Westline but comfortably plugs into a late inning role...
- CL Rupeuo Sipata, 25, 2 years/$14MM - ... because this is probably the new closer instead. Also comes over from Linir, a pure strikeout machine in the upper 90s.
- 3B Chop Riwihy, 29, 7 years/$17MM - a solid bottom of the lineup option at third. He previously played for Westline from 2015-18, and you don't see guys getting reacquired too often when there are so many teams he could sign for.
November 26:
Keleri also brings in
1B/2B Mapisiu Kohopa for 8 years, $87.5 million. Kohopa has been playing in tiers 4 and 5 with Pitste BC (Hokrof) but cashes in on his relegation release and manages to multiply his earnings by about 10 in the process. I'm guessing he'll play second base rather than first, because...
November 27:
Keleri have also signed
1B Ouler Tuemole, formerly of Hokrof BC, for 8 years, $51.2 million. I'm interested to see if the change of scenery will be a plus or minus for Tuemole, who is classed as an "unmotivated" personality.
November 29:
Muni's first major move upon their EL return is to bring in
OF Tae Hefie, formerly of Wichku BC, who would have played against Muni this season. This will be his first time at the EL level - he is an on-base machine who draws tons of walks, and that should play up in the top flight.