The biggest risk in making a deadline trade for an impending free agent is always that you'll lose that player. Thus was the deal with Marty Powers. When the Hustlers made the move to acquire him along with GUNGA from the New Orleans Crawdads for prospects, the situation was vastly different from the way things ended. The Hustlers were seemingly just a player or two away from serious LMS contention, and so the move was made to bring in Powers and Gunga. However, the Hustlers somehow tanked after adding several star players to the mix, and finished at 80-82, last place in the Frick League Pacific Division.
Powers was approached about an extension upon his arrival, but he wanted a four year deal worth over $8 million per season. The Hustlers felt this was just too much for a guy who was 33 years old and had really only been a closer for two seasons (1986 and 1995) out of his 12 years in the MBBA. They had hoped to bring him in for three years at closer to $5 million per season. Powers had none of that, and decided to explore the open market.
Once on the open market, he found himself in the same free agent crop as established closers such as Brian Fisher and Tim Scott, and found that his demands were perhaps a little high. Upon getting back to the Hustlers, they came to an agreement that met both parties needs.
Powers agreed to sign a three year deal worth a total of $15,060,000 ($5,020,000 per season). He will step right back into the closer role with all-time saves leader Gunga still in the set-up role. And with that, the Hustlers bullpen which looked like a weakness has once again become a strength.