A time of transition

 The Miami Palms are going to be a completely different team in 2019. They were met by a quartet of retirements as the season concluded. Johnny Giavotella, Tony Abreu, Brett Hayes and Lucas Harrell are all hanging it up. Abreu and Hayes were cornerstones of the lineup this season, with Hayes going out on top, earning the batting title. Harrell was a workhorse in his final year, and his loss will be felt deeply, perhaps mostly in the bullpen. Giavotella was the starting 2nd baseman before the return of Jaspero Gonzalez.

Not only are the Palms losing players to retirement, but they have a few free agents on the market as well. It seems likely that Carlos Ruiz will be allowed to find other employment, while the other three potential departures are in the pitching staff. Manny Parra is a free agent, and losing him and Harrell in the same year would be a devastating blow to the rotation. Two reliable relievers are free agents as well, as Keith Harding and Archie Bradley may soon have different addresses.

The Palms had three players with contract options. Jaspero Gonzalez, Pat Grant and Chris Korb will all remain in Miami. The Palms will have plenty of business to tend to elsewhere.

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