Casinotes 55.7- Trade and Other News

[chicoruiz]

The latest in a series of moves aimed apparently more at economics than team-building was announced today at an Atlantic City Gamblers press conference.

Gamblers GM Chico Ruiz announced that two more long-time fan favorites, pitcher Jimmy Huggins and infielder Don Perez, had been dealt to the Rocky Mountain Oysters, along with outfielder Muhsin bin Abdul. In return, the Gamblers will receive 34-year old outfielder Keith Schultz.

The deal, seemingly lopsided, seems to have been driven by the Gamblers desire to clear as much money as possible from their bloated 2056 payroll, which includes $23 million in retained salaries to players no longer on the team. Perez was slated to make $13 million in 2056.

The loss of Huggins and Perez, two longtime fan favorites, along with the recent buyout of catcher Octavio Moreno, have local fans in a state of near-mutiny. Ruiz, while acknowledging that his moves have been unpopular, maintains that they were necessary. " A baseball team is no different than any household", he said. "We all have to live within our means."

Ruiz refused to comment on the possibility of a new stadium, which would certainly ease the pain of Gamblers fans. The Ballpark At Ballys,(formerly Trump Field) is by far the oldest facility in the BBA; almost twice as old as the next oldest. And rumors are that keeping the old stadium up is becoming more and more expensive.

Indeed, there is current construction underway at an empty lot near Ventnor and Marvin Gardens. Ruiz would not comment, but the skeleton that seems to be taking shape would be consistent with a baseball field.

No announcement was made on who would take the roster spots of the departed players, but it is expected that either Troy Torres or James Robinson will be summoned from Wilmington to take the place of Huggins in the rotation.