Boardwalk Empire - 2040.10 - Souza Traded

[Joshua Biddle]

Atlantic City Trades Souza to Jacksonville

With the trade deadline looming, the Atlantic City Gamblers reached an agreement with the Jacksonville Hurricanes on a deal that sends veteran left-handed reliever José Souza to Jacksonville for two prospects – right-handed starting pitchers Augusto Morán and Henry 'Oh Rye' Fudge. The Gamblers will retain 100% of Souza’s guaranteed salary for this season ($9 million) and next season ($6 million); he has a $6 million team option with a $1.5 million buyout for the 2042 season and a $6 million team option with a $2 million buyout for the 2043 season.

Souza, 32, joined the Gamblers this year on a four-year, $27 million contract, and as expected, was one of the steadier arms in the Gamblers’ bullpen. Souza finishes his tenure with the Gamblers 7-5 with 14 saves in 18 opportunities (.778 save percentage), a 3.15 ERA, a 1.45 WHIP, a 3.52 FIP, a .265 opponent’s batting average, 61 strikeouts, and a 1.3 WAR in 54 1/3 innings pitched (48 appearances). He inherited the closer role upon the demotion of José Ordóñez, who has been inconsistent in the role.

Morán, 20, was drafted with the 28th pick of the 4th round in the 2037 BBA Amateur Draft by the Jacksonville Hurricanes, and impressed each of the past two seasons within the Hurricanes’ minor league system. Morán spent the 2039 season with Class-AA Trois-Rivieres Salmon Kings, finishing the season 12-8 with a 3.53 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, a 3.93 FIP, a .571 quality start percentage, a .245 opponent’s batting average, 89 strikeouts, and a 3.7 WAR in 178 1/3 innings pitched (28 starts). Morán has spent the 2040 season with Class-AAA Gotham Heroes, pitching to a record of 14-11 with a 4.17 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 3.88 FIP, .655 quality start percentage, .271 opponent’s batting average, 102 strikeouts, and a 4.2 WAR in 183 2/3 innings pitched (29 starts). Morán is a groundball pitcher whose velocity tops out at 98-100 miles per hour, possessing a three-pitch repertoire of a good fastball and curveball, and a slightly below average slider. He will likely have to improve the slider to succeed as a BBA starter. It’s likely he will get an invite to spring training this coming season given the ability shown at the Class-AAA level, but will probably need to succeed in limited spring action to earn a shot in 2041.

Fudge, 17, was signed as an international free agent out of Canada by Jacksonville on 11/3/2039. Biographical information is all that is known about Fudge – a native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, who is said to have good movement on his pitches and above average stuff and control. Sources say he throws a great fastball, good forkball, and an average curveball, slider, and changeup, though he is raw and how his abilities develop is certainly far from a certainty. He spent the 2040 season in the Hurricanes’ international complex, and will report immediately to Rookie Class Albany Atoms upon his arrival to Gamblers’ headquarters.

[sjshaw]