Catchers Randy Bader / José Barajas
The Gamblers opted to enter the season with young catchers on the roster rather than pursuing an experienced backstop in free agency. Barajas entered the season as the probable starter after impressing in limited action last season, finishing 2040 with Atlantic City hitting .283/.365/.587 with 8 runs scored, 2 doubles, 4 home runs, 9 RBIs, and a 0.5 WAR in 52 plate appearances. For the 2041 season, however, he disappointed, finishing the season hitting .221/.310/.395 with 46 runs scored, 21 doubles, 13 home runs, 36 RBIs, and a 0.2 WAR in 392 plate appearances. Bader, who is better known for his ability to handle a pitching staff, failed to impress with the bat or behind the plate. Bader finished the season hitting a paltry .237/.298/.389 with 15 runs scored, 16 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs, 25 RBIs, 3 stolen bases in 5 attempts (.600 success rate), and a -0.1 WAR in 218 plate appearances. Although it's often optimal to let young talent develop, a veteran upgrade at catcher has to be in consideration for the upcoming offseason based on the performance of Bader and Barajas.
Shortstop Sven Burel
Burel, 23, continued to dazzle with his glove during the 2041 season, finishing the season with 13 errors (.980 fielding percentage), a +11.6 zone rating, and a 1.052 defensive efficiency in 1,230 1/3 innings at shortstop. But the cost of his excellent glove was what felt like an automatic out at the plate. He finished the 2041 season hitting .225/.292/.352 with 61 runs scored, 25 doubles, 6 triples, 8 home runs, 50 RBIs, 13 stolen bases in 16 attempts (.813 success rate), and a 0.7 WAR in 534 plate appearances. His numbers declined from last season's .227/.295/.384 slash and 2.4 WAR, leaving shortstop another position that may need to be upgraded. This upgrade would also likely need to be external to the organization, as Class-AAA Brooklyn shortstop [https://statspl.us/brewster/reports/new ... 41381.html]Bradley Sheen[/url], who had a very good season with Class-AAA Brooklyn, performed poorly in his short stint with the Gamblers (.140/.300/.246, 2 HR, 3 RBI in 70 plate appearances).
1B/DH Rupert Grant
Joining the Gamblers on a one-year, $16.5 million contract, the organization hoped Grant could provide consistent pop to spell first baseman Adrian Salazar against lefties. Unfortunately for the Gamblers, Grant appears to have hit the wall and it remains to be seen if his career is on the fritz. Grant finished the 2041 season hitting .210/.286/.392 with 25 runs scored, 2 doubles, 10 home runs, 28 RBIs, 1 stolen base in 1 attempt (1.000 success rate), and a -0.6 WAR in 197 plate appearances, a miserable showing for a player coming off of a 48 home run campaign. The good news, of course, was it was a bit of a low-risk signing as it was a one-year deal, helped bring some fans to the ballpark via his popularity, and manager Jack Parkinson had no problem switching to other options when it was clear Grant wasn't providing what Parkinson expected. Certainly won't go down as a good move in Gamblers' history, but certainly not a cripplingly bad one.
Dornster
Returning to the Gamblers on a one-year deal with a team option for 2042, the team hoped Dornster could provide some leadership off the bench and fill in on the corner infield positions or at designated hitter as needed. Although his ability to play third baseman at a Diamond Glove caliber level is in the past, there was no doubt he could still fill in on occasion and provide an above average glove at first base. Dornster turned out not to be happy in the role he was assigned, despite the team's early success -- even reportedly asking for a trade behind the scenes. And besides the drama, he didn't produce when called upon, finishing the season hitting .177/.288/.354 with 14 runs scored, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs, 14 RBIs, 1 stolen base in 3 attempts (.333 success rate), and a -0.3 WAR in 111 plate appearances. Though he was one of the Gamblers' most recognizable players over the past decade, it appears the end of the relationship is near and fans may be caught in the middle.
