WHIV 2031.4- Hustlers Cut Bait on Bailey

[recte44]

Hustlers Cut Bait on Bailey
December 1, 2030

Las Vegas Receives:

P Hector Mata (FL)

Indy Receives:

SP Mike Bailey (ML)[/url]
1B Buck Munoz (ML)[/url]

Mike Bailey has long been a lightning rod amongst Hustlers' fans and brass alike. The Hustlers were thrilled to acquire him from Hawaii on New Year's Day 2021 (along with Tony Banuelos and Jesus Guzman for Emory Sharp ), and he was the #67 prospect in the Brewster at that time. He moved up on the Top Prospects list over the next few years (2022-#48, 2023-#30, 2024-#24, 2025-#26). His 2024 minor league season was one for the ages (20-4, 3.10 at AAA Milwaukee, then 6-0, 1.08 in Fall League) and he made the Opening Day roster as a true rookie in 2025, joining the Hustlers rotation. Over the next six years, he would never miss a start, with 188 games started and a workhorse load of 1237.1 innings pitched. While he pitched well overall (78-59, 4.10 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) it was the long ball that hurt him badly (197 total, 45 in 2029 and 41 in 2030). His FIP (5.02 in 2029, 5.09 in 2030) and WAR (0.7 in 2029, 0.5 in 2030) were indicators that Bailey was nothing more than a tick better than replacement level. However, he was also due to make $9 million a year with the four year extension he signed last year kicking in this year. The Hustlers could bear no more, and set out to lose his huge salary number. They found a ready taker in the rebuilding Grasshoppers.

In order to get Indy to take on the $35.88 million contract liability, they had to include 1B Buck Munoz in the deal. Munoz seems primed for a breakout, but couldn't break into the star-laden Hustlers lineup, and was a prime candidate to be moved. In Indy, he'll have all the opportunity in the world.

The prospect acquired is Hector Mata , a 20 year old righthander. A native of Billings, Montana, Mata was the 26th pick in the first round of the 2027 draft by Indy out of High School (US Steel). After scuffling through his first two years of action, the Grasshoppers aggressively promoted him from Rookie Ball to Class AA this year, where he fared well considering the huge leap (28 GS, 169.1 IP, 10-7, 5.10 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 10 HR). Holding him back has been his control, which has been a work in progress. Whether or not Mata will be a starter or reliever is still very much up in the air. With 9/7/6 talents and a 9 EN he could certainly start games, it will depend on the development of his four pitch arsenal (Slider: 7/9, Curveball: 5/9, Cutter: 6/8, Changeup: 2/3). He throws hard (96-98) and is an extreme groundball pitcher, which should play well in Las Vegas.

[niles08]

I sent you over a PM Matt. It seems to be sitting in my outbox, let me know if you didn't get it.

[recte44]

I got it. Pm sent, we had a miscommunication clearly.