Boardwalk Empire - 2042.3 - Arbizo, Dornster Out

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Boardwalk Empire - 2042.3 - Arbizo, Dornster Out

Post by Joshua Biddle » Sat May 23, 2020 5:21 pm

Gamblers' Decline Options for Arbizo, Dornster

The Atlantic City Gamblers made their first transactions of the offseason, formally voiding the 2042 team options on the contracts of infielders Bucky Dornster and Luzvimindo Arbizo. Dornster reportedly was paid $1.1 million as the result of his buyout and Arbizo received a $500,000 sum.

Both players were coming off of very disappointing 2041 campaigns. Dornster, 33, agreed to a two-year, $10.4 million contract during the 2040-2041 offseason, which paid Dornster $5.2 million in 2041 and would've paid $5.2 million in 2042 if the team option had been picked up by Atlantic City. With the emergence of rookie third baseman Ernesto González and Dornster's uninspiring 2040 campaign where he slashed .242/.339/.406 with 8 home runs and 26 RBIs, speculation was Dornster and Atlantic City were headed towards a break up after eight-plus seasons together. After Dornster and Atlantic City agreed to terms, it was believed that Dornster would be the primary backup at third base, with some occasional starts at first base against left-handed pitchers due to first baseman Adrian Salazar's issues versus lefties. Though Dornster had proven to have lost a step at third base compared to his diamond glove-caliber prime years, his defensive ability stood to translate well to first base, especially compared to the poor-gloved Salazar. While the defensive metrics held up to that theory (+1.6 zone rating, 1.095 defensive efficiency in 24 games / 19 starts at first base), Dornster declined with that bat to a point where it wasn't feasible to retain him, especially at first base. Dornster finished 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 (39 games / 23 starts). In addition to his general struggles, the usually even-keeled Dornster was visibly frustrated, possibly due to severely diminished playing time and enduring yet another losing season. Dornster even reportedly demanded a trade, resulting in a rather unfortunate, sour ending to his tenure with Atlantic City. The former fan favorite finishes his Gamblers career hitting .261/.356/.424 with 677 runs scored, 191 doubles, 42 triples, 154 home runs, 568 RBIs, 46 stolen bases in 95 attempts (.484 success rate), and a 25.3 WAR in 5,281 plate appearances (1,252 games / 1,217 starts). Dornster amassed six Johnson League Yogi Zimmer Diamond Glove Awards at third base from 2032-2036, and again in 2039.

Arbizo, 31, was brought in on a two-year, $4.2 million contract that paid Arbizo $2.2 million in 2041 and would've paid $2 million in 2042 if the team option had been picked up. Arbizo was a popular player who was also a positive in clubhouses of various teams due to his strict workout regimen and lead-by-example mentality. Although his defensive abilities had been in a bit of decline prior to his signing with Atlantic City, similar to Dornster, the Gamblers valued his on-base ability and were bullish on his .342 on-base percentage achieved in 2040 as the starting second baseman for the Charlotte Cougars. The 2041 season did not go as expected, finishing the season hitting .078/.178/.141 with 10 runs scored, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 RBIs, 3 stolen bases in 3 attempts (1.000 success rate), and a miserable -1.3 WAR in 74 plate appearances (57 games / 12 starts). Furthermore, his defensive metrics were poor, contributing to his negative WAR.

Both hit free agency with questions as to whether they provide a BBA organization value at the major league level. It's certainly possible they could settle for minor league contracts, but the UMEBA may be another option for these players as it appears their best days in the BBA are behind them.
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Re: Boardwalk Empire - 2042.3 - Arbizo, Dornster Out

Post by recte44 » Sat May 23, 2020 9:46 pm

Dornster went on to win a United Cup with Istanbul.

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