AUSTIN HANDS KIKI A BLANK CHECK

Arguably the most skilled pitcher on the Free Agent market just decided where he'll be pitching this coming season. Kiki Perez officially signed a deal with the Austin Bats on Thursday afternoon. The deal is a reported 4-year/$50M, which includes a mutual option for S18 and a $6.5M bonus.

While there's no doubting Perez's skills, we can't help but wonder how Austin figures to use Perez. He's now getting premium-closer type money, but what about Alberto Hernandez? Last season, Hernandez posted one of the best years any closer in SJ history ever had.. 53 out of 56 saves and a 0.83 ERA. Does Perez take the closer spot and Hernandez gets moved to a setup role? Keep Hernandez as your closer and make Perez the highest paid setup reliever in modern sports history?

Plenty of time to figure this one out, but don't get me wrong.. it's a nice problem to have. Austin improved their bullpen big time, and they made themselves that much tougher to beat.