56.1-Casinotes- Glove Me Do

[chicoruiz]

The effort by the Atlantic City Gamblers to assemble an exciting team to go with their new stadium has begun, not with a bang but with a whimper...

The first major league signing of their 2056 season was announced today, and it is... (drum roll please...) utility infielder Matthew Hewat. Hewat signed a three-year pact that will pay him 8.6 million over the next three years, though the third year is a player option.

At first glance, it's hard to see the value in Hewat, who is coming off a year in which he slashed .253/.282/.349, and was considered to be below replacement value. But Gamblers GM Chico Ruiz defended the decision to invest in Hewat.

"Defense is always valuable, and Matt brings that at an elite level", Ruiz stated. "In addition, we think his bat will bounce back to a respectable point. He's a career .292 hitter in the BBA, and he's only 30, so we think last year was just a little bump in the road. And he was always great at the plate in the GBC."

As to where Hewat will play, the first assumption is that he' will be stationed at short, between returnees Yodo Sato and Ernessto Gonzalez. But given the new focus on defense, and the current lack of a first baseman, it wouldn't be shocking to see Sato at first with Hewat and Breslin Hadingham up the middle. Time will tell.

The team also announced the signing of minor league outfielder Buster Collins. Colliins, 23, hit .325 in AA last season, and is expected to join a AAA outfield that already includes prospects Adam Alomar and Steve Pick, unless PIck makes the big club.

Ruiz assured the somewhat underwhelmed group of reporters that he will continue to try to make moves that will improve the club "subject to our very real financial constraints", a refrain that is wearing thin even this early in the offseason.

[KJChmura]

I was close to bringing back Hewat next season… he’s a solid player. And fairly cheap, nice deal!

[RonCo]

Nice sighninh as a utility guy, I'd say. Not comfy with him as the long term SS, though.

[Trebro]

Nice sighninh as a utility guy, I'd say. Not comfy with him as the long term SS, though.

The pickings at 6 aren't exactly mind blowing in Free Agency and I can't see teams with good ones parting with them at a price a non contender would pay. Definitely a strong case for one year deals.