WHIV 2054.1- Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

GM: Matt Rectenwald

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WHIV 2054.1- Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Post by recte44 » Thu Feb 09, 2023 5:28 pm

Las Vegas is facing an offseason of significant uncertainty, more so than any year in recent memory. "There will be a lot of turnover this offseason," admitted GM Matt Rectenwald. "But with that comes more cap room than we've had in forever, so it looks like an opportunity to reset the overall makeup of the team for next year and beyond."

Rectenwald admitted that the 2053 version of the Hustlers was significantly flawed. "Mistakes were made, and that's on me," he said. "I have to be better moving forward. Everyone has to be better."

First, the decisions that have already been made. Scotty Beemeup, who had a miserable 2053, will not be offered arbitration and will be allowed to explore free agency. "We'll miss his leadership most of all," said Rectenwald. They also didn't offer arbitration to Bryan Gill, who after a subpar 2053 was outrighted to AAA in the second half of the year.

Four other arbitration eligible players agreed to contract extensions and avoided arbitration:
- Signed SP Javier De Jesús to a 3-year contract extension worth a total of $7,660,000. He's been a valuable starting pitcher over the last couple of seasons and will remain so at a bargain price.
- Signed 3B William Drew to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $2,800,000. Drew was an effective bat primarily versus left-handed hurlers this year, and is expected to be the same next year.
- Signed SP Ashton Brooks to a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $13,700,000. Brooks really emerged as a huge part of the Hustlers' rotation down the stretch, and despite a big price tag, the Hustlers weren't willing to risk letting him get to the open market.
- Signed SP John Rasmussen III to a 3-year contract extension worth a total of $11,540,000. "Little Johnny" emerged as one of the BBA's top pitchers for most of 2053 (before fading towards the end of the year), and will be back for another three years at a great price.

As for option years, the Hustlers accepted the two in their court and were turned down by one in the players court. Gerald Sizemore was an easy decision to bring back. He was arguably the best pitcher on staff last year. The harder decision was one of the most curious contracts of the year, and the Hustlers ultimately opted for the 1 year, $2,000,000 tender for the rehabbing Jacob Smiley. Reports of his rehabilitation since falling off a roof on January 18, 2053 have been encouraging, so much so that the Hustlers expect him to compete for a big league roster spot in the spring.

Stewart Turton, however, exercised his player opt-out and the Hustlers are willing to see what happens in free agency. He was asking for something along the lines of 6 years/$11M per year and given he has a WAR of just 1.4 in 2053, Las Vegas didn't see the value in that type of deal.

Joining Turton on the open market are several key members of Las Vegas' 2053 club:
- Abu Wamukota, 3B/1B. He priced himself out of what seemed like a sure fire extension offer by having a subpar season at just the wrong time.

- Zak Johnson, SP.Trade Deadline pickup who pitched really well for the Hustlers down the stretch. He wanted to go explore his options and was unwilling to negotiate an extension with Las Vegas, who will keep an eye on him during free agency.

- Roberto Ramirez, RP. A valuable reliever for the Hustlers, too pricey for the overall production.

- Ernesto Sousa, 1B/DH. Vegas is taking a gamble to see if they can't monitor his market and bring him back for less money and years than he was asking for via the extension route.

- Jeremy Webb, 3B/SS. Nice player, delusional contract expectations.

- Sven Burel, SS- We had some expectations for how this would go, and Burel's overall production didn't meet them.

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Re: WHIV 2054.1- Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Post by trmmilwwi » Fri Feb 10, 2023 6:46 am

Great writeup, DeJesus and Drew are solid for sure. Agree with most of the decisions made and see there is some gameplanning going for sure. It'll be interesting to see what Johnson gets in FA after playing what is probably his best ball in his career. Good stuff!
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Re: WHIV 2054.1- Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Post by BaseClogger » Fri Feb 10, 2023 8:50 am

I've gotta think Brooks is going to blow up before that extension ends, but it's more than offset by how great of a deal that Little Johhny contract looks.
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Re: WHIV 2054.1- Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Post by Trebro » Fri Feb 10, 2023 2:45 pm

Good luck retooling. I think the league is going to have a lot of uncertainty (in a good way) the next few years.
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Re: WHIV 2054.1- Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Post by recte44 » Fri Feb 10, 2023 7:47 pm

This is a time where franchises can shift in a big way

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Re: WHIV 2054.1- Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Post by lordtoffee » Fri Feb 10, 2023 9:11 pm

Feels like the Johnson League is going to be very open this year.
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