A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 328

Baseball Team Newbie Is Too Good – Episode 328

78. The Road Not Taken (2)

Why isn’t the Tampa Bay Rays interested in Vincent Hiyama?

Jisub heard the answer to this question about an hour later.

More precisely, immediately after the regular meeting, from Rebecca Carney, the deputy head of the Baseball R&D team.

“Oh, believe me, the desire is strong. Which front office wouldn’t want a player like Vincent Hiyama?”

She sighed briefly.

“But acquiring him for our team isn’t easy. No, to be blunt, it’s close to impossible.”

“Is it because the competition is fierce?”

John Llama asked, and Deputy Head Carney greeted the other department heads with a nod before answering.

“Of course, that’s part of it. The Yankees, the Dodgers, the Phillies… there are quite a few teams known to be after him right now. But for us, the Tampa Bay Rays, even jumping into that competition is difficult.”

“Why is that…”

“The no-trade clause. Mr. Taylor, you’ve heard of it, right?”

The no-trade clause.

The right for a player to refuse a trade to a specific team.

Originally, it was a special right given to veteran players who had been in the major leagues for over 10 years.

However, recently in Major League Baseball, there have been increasing cases of guaranteeing no-trade clauses during contract negotiations.

“Vincent is no exception.”

Deputy Head Carney continued.

“According to the Baltimore Orioles, Vincent Hiyama has set a no-trade clause for a total of 7 teams. And unfortunately, our Tampa Bay Rays are included on that list.”

It’s not uncommon.

It’s actually quite common.

She had a calm expression.

“It’s a bit embarrassing for me to say this, but reality is reality. For star players, the Tampa Bay Rays have traditionally not been a very attractive option.”

“Why? Because of money?”

John Llama mentioned the Tampa Bay Rays’ chronic problem, but then tilted his head.

“Wait a minute, that’s not right, is it? If a player is traded, they receive the same salary that the original team was supposed to pay, right?”

“That’s right. But Mr. Taylor isn’t wrong. The moment a player joins the Tampa Bay Rays, they suffer a significant financial loss.”

Although there is no change in salary, there is a loss in additional income. For example, income from advertisements or sponsorship deals with sports equipment brands.

The Tampa Bay Rays are one of the least popular teams in Major League Baseball. Joining such a team greatly reduces their value as an advertising model.

“In a similar vein, shouldn’t we also consider a player’s desire for personal glory? If a player is talented, they would want to play in front of as many fans as possible, receiving more spotlight.”

“Ah, so…”

Conversely, this means that the Tampa Bay Rays have fewer fans and receive less spotlight.

Just as the team owner’s son’s face began to look dejected, Rebecca Carney delivered the final blow.

“The general manager and I have been doing our best to acquire good players every year, but this issue always gets in the way. So, what can we do?”

She said, picking up her bag.

“We have no choice but to focus on players who are realistically acquirable, players we can somehow bring in.”

* * *

It’s because of the no-trade clause.

Because the player himself has set a no-trade clause, it is difficult for the Tampa Bay Rays to acquire the best players.

Regarding the team’s leadership’s position on the Vincent Hiyama acquisition, David Wilson’s reaction to Jisub was as follows:

“I see it as an excuse.”

It was around 10:30 PM that night.

The ‘Yellow Book’ report was being written later than usual, so they had come out to buy some late-night snacks to take a break.

While waiting for a few hot dogs and some carbonated drinks, David Wilson smacked his lips and started talking.

“No-trade clause? That’s right. It’s true that it’s difficult to acquire a player who has set a no-trade clause.”

David Wilson had been working in Tampa Bay longer than Jisub.

Perhaps that’s why he couldn’t accept the team’s leadership’s explanation at face value.

“But Kim, you know this, right? There’s no such thing as 100% impossible in our industry.”

“Are you saying we should negotiate?”

At Jisub’s question, David Wilson nodded, saying, “That’s right!”

“Vincent Hiyama has set a no-trade clause? Then we should persuade him to withdraw it! If it’s difficult for us to do it directly, we can induce Baltimore to step in.”

“Hmm.”

“It’s not impossible at all if we have the will to do it. But the team’s leadership is bringing in only ambiguous players every year, citing the no-trade clause…”

Damn it.

David Wilson’s face was full of dissatisfaction as he received the hot dogs and carbonated drinks.

It was very rare for him to show such a look, so Jisub was slightly surprised inside.

And he began to recall the story that Benjamin Oznovich, the current general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, had told him.

-Kim, you’ll soon find out.

-How much of a terrible coward the man I respected so much, Brian Spahn, is…

Jisub felt like he finally understood why the words ‘terrible coward’ had come out.

‘Regular season operation is impeccable… but he tended to hesitate before the postseason.’

When a decisive blow is needed, he doesn’t take that blow.

When a player who is essential for the team needs to be acquired, he doesn’t seize the timing and makes ambiguous choices.

This tendency seemed to be disappointing the young front office staff of the Tampa Bay Rays.

In the past, it was Benjamin Oznovich, and today it was David Wilson.

“I couldn’t bring myself to say it, but I wanted to ask him earlier.”

David Wilson said as he descended the stairs to the office.

“Whether they really can’t acquire him because of the no-trade clause. And if Vincent withdraws the no-trade clause, whether they will start negotiations.”

“…”

“Well, of course, Vincent isn’t stupid, and I don’t think he’ll want to come to our Tampa Bay… Ah?”

It was at this moment that David Wilson, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped.

“Kim, do you happen to know Vincent’s contact information?”

“Vincent?”

“Yes, you met him separately last time. Because Vincent himself came to our accommodation.”

“…Ah.”

Certainly, that had happened.

Around the time when the extension contract negotiations between the Baltimore Orioles and Vincent Hiyama were about to fall apart.

When Baltimore leaked information for the purpose of leading the negotiations favorably, he came to Tampa Bay’s accommodation and questioned why he hadn’t used that information.

“No, I didn’t think to ask for his contact information. I didn’t think there would be any reason to contact a player from another team separately.”

“I see… is that so?”

David Wilson smiled helplessly.

“Even if you knew it, it wouldn’t have been of much use. He’s a player belonging to another team, so we can’t just call him rashly.”

Ah, what a pity.

Too bad, Vincent.

David Wilson, smacking his lips repeatedly, opened the door to the Future Strategy Planning Department office with a ‘creak’.

“Hmm?”

He turned to Jisub as he stepped into the office and smiled.

“Kim.”

“Yes?”

“There’s another friend here who’s caught Vincent’s disease.”

“Vincent’s disease?”

Jisub, tilting his head and entering the office, soon gave a bitter smile.

“…”

It was John Llama.

While all the other employees had gone home, the team owner’s son was sitting alone, running simulations.

He was sitting on the old sofa in the middle of the office, staring blankly at the TV on the wall.

Watching TV itself wasn’t a problem. The only problem was the channel he had on.

“Llama, aren’t you being too much?”

Jisub asked, putting down the paper bag containing the hot dogs.

“Our team’s game hasn’t even finished yet, so why are you watching another team’s game? You’re the main director of the Future Strategy Planning Department.”

That’s right. This was the reason why Jisub and David Wilson had given bitter smiles.

The Tampa Bay team owner’s son was watching the Baltimore Orioles’ game on a large TV.

“Oh, Kim? You’re here?”

He seemed a little embarrassed himself.

John Llama fumbled around for the remote control to change the channel.

Jisub said, “It’s okay,” and took out a hot dog from the bag.

“I was curious too. How was Vincent today? Was he okay?”

“Yes, well… he was great.”

John Llama also took out a hot dog and continued.

“I heard he wasn’t in good condition last month… but he was flying high today, wasn’t he?”

On the mound, he came out as a starting pitcher and allowed 1 run on 3 hits with 10 strikeouts in 6 innings.

In the batter’s box, he came out as the 3rd batter and had 3 hits in 4 at-bats, including 1 home run and 3 RBIs [Runs Batted In].

It was a performance that would make the general managers of Major League Baseball flutter.

“How should we interpret this?”

David Wilson reacted.

“Is it a struggle to lift up his team, which has fallen to the bottom of the division, or is it a showcase to leave the team quickly?”

“Hehe, I wonder.”

Jisub took a big bite of the hot dog and picked up the remote control.

Then he turned up the TV volume a few notches. Vincent Hiyama, who was selected as the MVP [Most Valuable Player] of the game that day, was filling the screen.

-Congratulations, Hiyama! You showed a really great performance in today’s game!

-Thank you.

While watching Vincent, who was having a few words with the field reporter, the people in the Future Strategy Planning Department were munching on hot dogs.

“But Kim, now that I see him, I think dark navy would suit him well, don’t you think? No matter how I look at it, I don’t think white stripes suit him.”

“The Yankees uniform doesn’t suit him? He’s a friend who suits our Tampa Bay uniform?”

“That’s right. Isn’t there a way to appeal with the uniform color? We may not have anything else, but we do make pretty uniforms.”

“Hey, David! That’s not right! Frankly, when you look at the uniforms, aren’t the Yankees the original?”

“Llama! You are the son of owner Jeffrey Taylor! At times like this, you have to say that Tampa Bay is unconditionally better…”

While such trivial conversations were going on, Jisub, who was choked by the dry hot dog, reached for the carbonated drink, and just then.

The problematic statement came out.

-This may be a slightly sensitive question, but recently there has been quite a buzz surrounding Vincent Hiyama’s trade. What do you think?

-Well, I am aiming to stay with Baltimore until the end. A trade is not something I can do anything about.

Up until this point, Vincent had given textbook answers.

-But according to the story that came up on SNS [Social Networking Services] today, the general manager of the New York Yankees visited Baltimore in person? So doesn’t that mean that the story is somewhat in progress?

-Ah, is that so?

As Vincent’s thick eyebrows twitched, the field reporter did not miss the gap.

-How about it? Just in case! If the situation really comes where you have to move teams… Which team would Vincent Hiyama want?

-Well, in that case…

Avoiding answering here might have been the right answer.

No matter what he said, problems could arise, and that problem could turn the entire baseball world upside down.

However, for some reason, at this time, Vincent Hiyama was opening his mouth with a rather determined expression.

-It’s best to be with Baltimore, but if that’s not possible… I want to seriously aim for the championship.

-Ah, the championship! Then the Philadelphia Phillies? New York Yankees? Or… is it the LA Dodgers?

-There are such teams, but…

And,

The next moment.

-A road that no one has taken, a road that no one has dared to take… I also have a desire to walk such a road.

-A road that no one has taken?

The reporter hesitated for a moment.

Perhaps the standings of each division in Major League Baseball were floating in his head.

A team that has the power to seriously aim for the championship and is suitable for the expression ‘a road that no one has taken’.

In his common sense, there were not many teams that met all of these conditions this season.

-Are you okay with that? That’s a little unexpected. Vincent Hiyama’s contract conditions clearly include…

-Good.

Vincent Hiyama’s gaze turned to the front of the camera.

-Since the content will be announced tomorrow morning anyway, it wouldn’t be bad to just tell you now.

And the following remark.

-The no-trade clause included in my contract has been completely withdrawn as of today.

…Cough!

It was at this moment that Jisub spat out the drink he was drinking.