University of Akron: Baseball Program

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Akron announced on Friday that it will eliminate its baseball program, effective immediately.

As always in these cases, Akron’s players are free to transfer and will be eligible to play elsewhere next season. The move comes as part of a $40 million reduction in expenses, coupled with increased tuition and undergraduate fees, as the school attempts to address what it says is a $60 million deficit in its bottom line. Baseball is the only sport being dropped, while the rest of the savings are planned to come from laying off 215 school employees and reducing spending in other areas.

“The University of Akron’s future is bright, but first we need to fix its finances,” school president Scott Scarborough said in a statement. “Our review indicates UA has a $60 million financial problem, and we have developed a three-year plan to solve that problem.”

It’s the second straight year a Northern school will cut baseball after Temple dropped the sport at the end of last season. The Zips went 27-30 overall, 13-14 in the MAC this spring, finishing in fourth place in the MAC East. Akron last made regionals in 1996. It hasn’t had a winning overall record since 1997, though fourth-year coach Rick Rembielak had led the Zips to improve from winning just 15 games in 2013 to 28 last year and then the 27 this year. Last year’s 28-win campaign was Akron’s best since ’97.

The school has produced three big leaguers in its history—Chris Bassitt, Mike Birkbeck and Mark Malaska—and had two players drafted this June, righthander J.T. Brubaker (sixth round/Pirates) and outfielder Joey Havrilak (18th round/Tigers).

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Akron Announces Plan To Restore Baseball Program

September 19, 2017

Akron on Tuesday announced a plan that, if approved next month by the board of trustees, would restore the school's baseball program and add a women's lacrosse team. The Zips eliminated their baseball program following the 2015 season.

The move to eliminate baseball was a part of widespread budget cuts at the university, made by former president Scott Scarborough. He resigned a year later, and Akron named Matt Wilson as his successor. Since Wilson took his new job, he said, he has constantly been asked when Zips baseball would return.

"There's really been a call to bring baseball back to Akron," he said. "If you didn't have community support or a groundswell, it's difficult to do something as rare as this."

Wilson and athletic director Larry Williams unveiled a plan that would return baseball to the Zips' athletic lineup for the 2020 season. If it is approved, Akron will become the first Division I school since Oregon in 2007 to reinstate a baseball program.

As rare as the restoration of a baseball program is, Akron's plan to do so is even more novel. The plan is so frugal that Wilson believes baseball, typically thought of as a non-revenue sport in the college landscape, can be revenue positive.

Akron's biggest cost savings will come in the area of scholarships. Any athletic scholarships for baseball or lacrosse players will be funded privately and not by the university. The program will operate on a frugal budget and take advantage of donations and other cost-saving opportunities. Wilson said the university is in discussions with the Double-A Akron RubberDucks to use Canal Park for at least home Mid-American Conference games, which would save money on field maintenance.

Both the baseball and lacrosse programs would also employ a recruiting strategy focused on Ohio. Out-of-state students would still be able to play for Akron, but the coaching staff would look for in-state players first.

"As a public institution, I think we owe it to the citizens to focus on Ohio-based student-athletes," Wilson said. "I believe we have the talent base to make that happen."

Unlike many baseball programs that have been eliminated or threatened by elimination in recent years, Akron will not require the program to be endowed before committing to it. Wilson said the university is targeting raising between $200,000 and $300,000 for each of the new programs for startup costs. He hopes to have the first phase of fundraising done in the spring and would then hire a head coach in the summer. The new staff would then have a full year to prepare and recruit players for the 2020 season.

Wilson said he is not focused on raising enough money in the first year to sponsor the full complement of 11.7 scholarships allowed by the NCAA.

"I'm more focused on bringing back baseball putting everything in place," he said. "In an ideal world, it would be great to get to (11.7 scholarships), but that's a considerable amount of heavy lifting that would take to get to that. I hope with this approach that's fiscally conservative, donors will step up."

Akron's return to baseball would be a boost to the MAC, which has lost two teams in the last three years. After Akron eliminated its program in 2015, Buffalo followed suit this year.

While there is still plenty of work to do, Wilson is excited by the opportunity to return baseball to Akron. The program has produced six big leaguers in its history, including righthander Chris Bassitt who was drafted in 2011.

"I'm excited to be able to return to the rich traditions we've established to be a hub for baseball," Wilson said. "I'm excited to offer a new sport for female student-athletes, as well. It gives the university an opportunity to shine, another opportunity to take another step forward, as well."


Read more at www.baseballamerica.com/college/akron-announces-plan-to-restore-baseball-program/#UO3MmBmT4BcVYpBR.99

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2021 Cincinnati Reds 40 Man Roster

Opening Day Payroll

*** Roster is Currently Full as of 4/01/2021***

---Rotation---
(5) 26 Man:
RHSP - Luis Castillo - $ 4,200,000
RHSP - Tyler Mahle - $ 2,200,000
LHSP - Wade Miley - $ 8,000,000
RHSP - Jeff Hoffmann - $ 585,500 (prorated minor league minimum of $ 93,000 if/when on optional assignment)
RHSP - José De León - $ 573,500 (prorated minor league minimum of $ 93,000 if/when on optional assignment)

(4) 40 Man - Reserve:
RHSP - Hector Pérez - $ 93,000 (prorated major league minimum of $ 570,500 if/when on active 25 man roster)
RHSP - Antonio Santillan - $ 93,000 (prorated major league minimum of $ 570,500 if/when on active 25 man roster)
RHSP - Riley O'Brien - $ 46,500 (prorated major league minimum of $ 570,500 if/when on active 25 man roster)
RHSP - Jared Soloman - $ 46,500 (prorated major league minimum of $ 570,500 if/when on active 25 man roster)

---Bullpen---
(8) 26 Man:
LHRP - Sean Doolittle - $ 1,500,000
RHRP - Cam Bedrosian - $ 1,500,000
LHRP - Amir Garrett - $ 1,500,000
RHRP - Lucas Sims - $ 598,500 (prorated minor league minimum of $ 93,000 if/when on optional assignment)
RHRP - Carson Fulmer - $ 587,500 (prorated minor league minimum of $ 93,000 if/when on optional assignment)
RHRP - Sal Romano - $ 583,500 (prorated minor league minimum of $ 93,000 if/when on optional assignment)
RHRP - Tejay Antone - $ 580,500 (prorated minor league minimum of $ 93,000 if/when on optional assignment)
LHRP - Cionel Pérez - $ 572,500 (prorated minor league minimum of $ 93,000 if/when on optional assignment)

(2) 40 Man - Reserve:
RHRP - Art Warren - $ 93,000 (prorated major league minimum of $ 570,500 if/when on active 25 man roster)
RHRP - Ryan Hendrix - $ 93,000 (prorated major league minimum of $ 570,500 if/when on active 25 man roster)

---Catchers---
(3) 26 Man:
C - Tucker Barnhart - $ 3,750,000
C/3B - Kyle Farmer - $ 640,000 (prorated minor league minimum of $ 93,000 if/when on optional assignment)
C - Tyler Stephenson - $ 570,500 (prorated minor league minimum of $ 93,000 if/when on optional assignment)

(1) 40 Man - Reserve:
C/1B - Deivy Grullón - $ 93,000 (prorated major league minimum of $ 570,500 if/when on active 25 man roster)

---Infielders---
(5) 26 Man:
1B - Joey Votto - $ 25,000,000
2B/3B - Jonathan India - $ 570,500 (prorated minor league minimum of $ 46,500 if/when on optional assignment)
SS/3B - Eugenio Suárez - $ 10,500,000
3B/2B - Mike Moustakas - $ 14,000,000
2B/SS - Alex Blandino - $ 573,000 (prorated minor league minimum of $ 93,000 if/when on optional assignment)

(2) 40 Man - Reserve:
SS/2B - José García - $ 93,000 (prorated major league minimum of $ 570,500 if/when on active 25 man roster)
2B/3B - Max Schrock - $ 93,000 (prorated major league minimum of $ 570,500 if/when on active 25 man roster)

---Outfielders---
(5) 26 Man:
LF/RF - Jesse Winker - $ 3,150,000
CF/3B - Nick Senzel - $ 580,500 (prorated minor league minimum of $ 93,000 if/when on optional assignment)
RF/LF - Nick Castellanos - $ 14,000,000
CF/RF - Tyler Naquin - $$ 1,500,000
RF - Aristides Aquino - $ 579,000 (prorated minor league minimum of $ 93,000 if/when on optional assignment)

(2) 40 Man - Reserve:
LF/CF - Scott Heineman - $ 93,000 (prorated major league minimum of $ 595,000 if/when on active 25 man roster)
LF/RF - Mark Payton - $ 93,000 (prorated major league minimum of $ 570,500 if/when on active 25 man roster)

---Disabled List---
(1) 60 Day-IL:
RHSP Brandon Bailey - $ 570,500 (prorated minor league minimum of $ 93,000 if/when on optional assignment)

(3) 10 Day-IL:
RHSP Sonny Gray - $ 10,000,000
RHRP Michael Lorenzen - $ 4,437,500
CF/RF - Shogo Akiyama - $ 7,000,000

---Restricted List---
(1) Player(s) on the restricted list forfeit their salary while on it:
RHSP - Vladimir Gutiérrez - $ 46,500 (prorated major league minimum of $ 570,500 if/when on active 25 man roster)

---Dead Money---
(3) Player(s) no longer on the 40 man roster owed $ this season:
SP - Bronson Arroyo - $ 1,406,500 (yearly deferred contract from 2011 through 2021)
OF - Ken Griffey Jr. - $ 3,593,500 (yearly deferred contract from 2009 through 2024)
RHRP - Noé Ramirez - $288,935 (released prior to opening day, owed 45 days termination pay)
RHRP - Edgar García - $ 93,000 (signed guaranteed MLB split contract that pays him prorated $ 600,000 while in majors, designated for assignment)


Total Payroll: $ 126,714,935
Total Payroll sans Dead Money: $ 121,333,000

*Last year's opening day payroll including 'Dead Money' was $ 139,705,900 (Largest Opening Day Payroll in Franchise History)
(Last year's payroll wound up being prorated over 60 games)


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Options Status of the Opening Day 40 Man Roster

(0) Three Options Remaining - Special Case: (Rule 5 Selections can't be optioned in the first season after being selected)
NONE

(8) Three Options Remaining:
(1.000) RHRP - Tejay Antone
(0.000) RHSP - Vladimir Gutiérrez
(0.000) RHSP - Riley O'Brien
(0.000) RHSP - Jared Solomon
(0.000) 2B/3B - Jonathan India
(0.092) SS/2B - José García
(1.150) CF/3B - Nick Senzel
(1.000) CF/RF - Shogo Akiyama

(12) Two Options Remaining:
(3.101) RHSP - Luis Castillo (burned 2017 w/ CIN)
(3.018) RHSP - Tyler Mahle (burned 2018 w/ CIN)
(0.064) RHSP - Brandon Bailey (burned 2020 w/ HOU)
(0.000) RHSP - Antonio Santillan (burned 2020 w/ CIN)
(0.023) RHRP - Art Warren (burned 2020 w/ SEA)
(0.000) RHRP - Ryan Hendrix (burned 2020 w/ CIN)
(0.056) C - Tyler Stephenson (burned 2020 w/ CIN)
(0.032) C/1B - Deivy Grullón (burned 2020 w/ BOS-PHI)
(0.075) 2B/3B - Max Schrock (burned 2020 w/ STL)
(3.080) LF/RF - Jesse Winker (burned 2017 w/ CIN)
(0.031) LF/RF - Mark Payton (burned 2020 w/ CIN)
(4.033) CF/RF - Tyler Naquin (burned 2017 w/ CLE)

(6) One Option Remaining:
(2.060) RHSP - José De León (burned 2020 w/ CIN, burned 2019 w/ TBR, and burned 2017 w/ TBR)*
(0.006) RHSP - Héctor Pérez (burned 2020 w/ TOR, and burned 2019 w/TOR)
(1.010) LHRP - Cionel Pérez (burned 2020 w/ HOU, burned 2019 w/ HOU, and burned 2018 w/ HOU)*
(2.129) C/3B - Kyle Farmer (burned 2018 w/ LAD, and burned 2017 w/ LAD)
(1.108) 2B/SS - Alex Blandino (burned 2020 w/ CIN, and burned 2019 w/ CIN)
(1.116) LF/CF - Scott Heineman (burned 2020 w/ TEX, and burned 2019 w/ TEX)

(6) Zero Options Remaining:
(3.099) LHRP - Amir Garrett (burned 2017 w/ CIN, burned 2016 w/ CIN, and burned 2015 w/ CIN)
(2.105) RHSP - Jeff Hoffman (burned 2019 w/ COL, burned 2017 w/ COL, and burned 2016 w/ COL)
(2.041) RHRP - Carson Fulmer (burned 2019 w/ CHW, burned 2018 w/ CHW, burned 2017 w/ CHW, and burned 2016 w/ CHW)*
(2.014) RHRP - Lucas Sims (burned 2019 w/ CIN, burned 2018 w/ ATL, and burned 2017 w/ ATL)
(1.167) RHRP - Sal Romano (burned 2019 w/ CIN, burned 2017 w/ CIN, and burned 2016 w/ CIN)
(1.005) RF - Aristides Aquino (burned 2020 w/ CIN, burned 2018 w/ CIN, and burned 2017 w/ CIN)

(10) Can't Be Optioned: (Players with 5+ years of service can't be optioned w/o their approval no matter whether or not all of their options were previously burned)
(7.061) RHSP - Sonny Gray
(9.025) LHSP - Wade Miley
(5.159) RHRP - Michael Lorenzen
(5.153) RHRP - Cam Bedrosian
(8.122) LHRP - Sean Doolittle
(6.075) C - Tucker Barnhart
(13.027) 1B - Joey Votto
(9.111) 3B/2B - Mike Moustakas
(6.061) SS/3B - Eugenio Suárez
(7.029) RF/LF - Nick Castellanos


((x.xxx) = MLB Service Time entering 2021 Season))

*José De León & Cionel Pérez qualified for a 4th option year, Carson Fulmer qualified for and burned a 4th option year.


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How The Reds Opening Day 40 Man Roster Was Constructed

(15) Reds - June, Rule 4 Draft Selections:
1B - Joey Votto - 2002 - 2nd rd
C - Tucker Barnhart - 2009 - 10th rd (overslot 3rd rd (sup) bonus)
RHRP - Sal Romano - 2011 - 23rd rd (overslot 3rd rd bonus) (Additional Info: Outrighted, February 2020 - Contract Purchased a 2nd time, September 2020)
LHRP - Amir Garrett - 2011 - 22nd rd (overslot 2nd rd (sup) bonus)
LF/RF - Jesse Winker - 2012 - 1st rd (sup)
RHRP - Michael Lorenzen - 2013 - 1st rd (sup)
RHSP - Tyler Mahle - 2013 - 7th rd
2B/SS - Alex Blandino - 2014 - 1st rd
RHRP - Tejay Antone - 2014 - 5th rd
C - Tyler Stephenson - 2015 - 1st rd
RHSP - Antonio Santillan - 2015 - 2nd rd
CF/3B - Nick Senzel - 2016 - 1st rd
RHRP - Ryan Hendrix - 2016 - 5th rd
RHSP - Jared Solomon - 2017 - 11th rd (overslot 6th rd bonus)
2B/3B - Jonathan India - 2018 - 1st rd

(3) Reds - International Signings:
RF - Aristides Aquino - January 2011 - Dominican Republic (Additional Info: Re-Signed to an MiLB contract after being non-tendered, December 2018 - Contract Purchased a 2nd time, August 2019)
RHSP - Vladimir Gutiérrez - September 2016 - Cuba (Additional Info: Placed on Restricted List for PEDS)
SS/2B - José García - June 2017 - Cuba

(0) Reds - Non Drafted Free Agents:
NONE

(14) Reds - Trade Acquisitions:
SS/3B - Eugenio Suárez - December 2014 - (from DET) for Alfredo Simon
RHSP - Luis Castillo - January 2017 - (from MIA) for Dan Straily
RHSP - Lucas Sims - July 2018 - (from ATL) for Adam Duvall
C/3B - Kyle Farmer - December 2018 - (from LAD) for Homer Bailey, Jeter Downs, & Josiah Gray (Additional Info: Re-Signed to an MLB contract after being non-tendered, December 2020)
RHSP - Sonny Gray - January 2019 - (from NYY) for Shedric Long & a 2019 Competitive Balance Round A Rule 4 Draft Pick
RHSP - José De León - November 2019 - (from TBR) for Cash $
LF/RF - Mark Payton - August 2020 - (from OAK) for Cash $ (Additional Info: Initially acquired in Rule 5 Draft, December 2019 yet returned after passing through waivers)
RHSP - Riley O'Brien - August 2020 - (from TBR) for Cody Reed
RHSP - Brandon Bailey - November 2020 - (from HOU) for Cash $
RHSP - Jeff Hoffman - November 2020 - (from COL) for Robert Stephenson, & Jameson Hannah
LF/CF - Scott Heineman - December 2020 - (from TEX) for Jose Acosta
RHRP - Art Warren - January 2021 - (From TEX) for Cash $
RHSP - Héctor Pérez - January 2021 - (From TOR) for PTBNL or Cash $
LHRP - Cionel Pérez - January 2021 - (from HOU) for Luke Berryhill

(7) Reds - Free Agent Signings:
3B/2B - Mike Moustakas - December 2019 - (Additional Info: Tied - Largest FA contract in franchise history)
LHSP - Wade Miley - December 2019 -
CF/RF - Shogo Akiyama - January 2020 - (Additional Info: First MLB contract in franchise history for a Japanese born player)
RF/LF - Nick Castellanos - January 2020 - (Additional Info: Tied - Largest FA contract in franchise history)
LHRP - Sean Doolittle - February 2021 -
RHRP - Cam Bedrosian - February 2021 - (Additional Info: Signed to an MiLB contract, February 2021 - Contract Purchased, March 2021)
CF/RF - Tyler Naquin - February 2021 - (Additional Info: Signed to an MiLB contract, February 2021 - Contract Purchased, March 2021)

(3) Reds - Waiver Claims:
C/1B - Deivy Grullón - December 2020 - (from BOS)
2B/3B - Max Schrock - February 2021 - (from CHC)
RHRP - Carson Fulmer - March 2021 - (from PIT)

(0) Reds - December, Rule 5 Draft Selections:
NONE


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The major league minimum salary will rise to $570,500 next season.

The minor league minimum for a player signing his first major league contract increases to $46,500 next season, and the minor league minimum for a player signing a second or later major league contract goes up to $93,000.

MLB announced last February that it is raising 2021 minimums for minor league contracts, to $400 at rookie levels, to $500 at Class A, to $600 at Double-A, and to $700 at Triple-A.