56.2-Casinotes- Is That All There Is?

[chicoruiz]

Atlantic City fans, already hyped up about the new stadium, are waiting breathlessly for significant additions to the Gamblers lackluster team. They will apparently have to wait a while longer.

Atlantic City GM Chico Ruiz, living up to his pledge to do regular press conferences during free agency, emerged sheepishly at today's presser to announce four signings, only one of which could conceivably affect the major league team.

"The Gamblers are excited to announce that we have reached an agreement with pitcher Antonio Garcia". began Ruiz in a monotone. "The deal is 1.4 million dollars a year for two years; very similar to the contract we gave to Matthew Hewat a few days ago."

Garcia, 34, has a career 4.06 ERA in 165 BBA appearances, mostly with Portland. However, he has not pitched in a big league game since 2050. He has a reputation as a ground ball pitcher, and will likely compete for a swing starter/long relief role.

In addition, catcher Walton Jenkins was signed to the team's AAA affiliate in Wilmington. Jenkins, 24, has a career .244 batting average in AAA and is regarded strictly as organizational depth. The other two signings, pitchers Randall Bush and Mathew Richards, are ticketed for AA Trenton.

One humorous note: as he was leaving the podium, the microphone clearly picked up Ruiz saying to someone in the wings, "For God's sake, don't make me go out there again with nothing but this s*** to report!".

[Trebro]

I know it's primarily an old contracts thing but not tying yourself up to even more contracts is probably wise as well. Seems like smaller deals make the most sense to improve here and there.