WHIV 2059.20- End of an Era?

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WHIV 2059.20- End of an Era?

Post by recte44 » Mon Jul 15, 2024 6:57 pm

When the Las Vegas Hustlers lost to the Charm City Jimmies and were eliminated from the playoffs, it was more than just a failed run in the Doubleday Series. It's more likely the end of an era.

"I was talking with another General Manager that I really respect," said Hustlers GM Matt Rectenwald. "You know, wins a metric shitton of regular season games, bounced in the Doubleday Series this year, but that's neither here nor there. I told him who we are all losing and how it's probably time for us to rebuild here in Las Vegas. You know what he told me? It's probably overdue. I thought about this for a while until I realized that he's right on the money. Since our three-peat we've been hanging on with a lot of smoke and mirrors, with apologies to @Lane. Didn't mean to steal your catch phrase, buddy, but it's true. We probably had no business being in the playoffs this year, much less winning a series, much less dropping three of the four losses to Charm City by just a run each. Consider that- we were a few runs away from the Cartwright Cup with a flawed team on the field. This offseason allows us the chance to really clear the slate and start anew."

Who's all leaving? Brace yourselves, as it's a lot.

First, the Team Options:
DH Tom Rudge- Decline. He's 40 years of age, and barely played over the last couple of months. It's probably time to retire. We'll see if he does. Clears $11M in cap space.

2B Stewart Turton- Decline. Also an advanced age, and his playing time was sparse as well. It's time to move on. Clears $10M in cap space.

SP Jose Barron- Decline. Coming off a major injury and didn't really live up to expectations. Clears $10.8M in cap space in both 2060 and 2061.

Next, the Free Agents:
1B Michael Pedarzolli- Played well again as he always does, but again is asking for way too much money. Will monitor as has been the case the past two years.

RP John Dawson- We enjoyed having him as a Hustler, but his contract demands are almost comical. Good luck in free agency.

SP Mahad Einan- We weren't shocked that he turned down his player option for 2060 that would have dropped his salary approximately $4 million.

LF Stepan Shabrov- His career year will likely price him out.

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Re: WHIV 2059.20- End of an Era?

Post by Lane » Mon Jul 15, 2024 7:01 pm

aaaand that's a difference between our GM styles. I ride out the smoke and mirrors of the cycle as long as I can (read: too long) and then suffer the consequences.
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Re: WHIV 2059.20- End of an Era?

Post by recte44 » Mon Jul 15, 2024 7:05 pm

After a while of riding the smoke and mirrors train and knowing you won't win a Monty but you also won't lose 90 games, something has to give. That is a big difference. I'd rather lose 90+ games then continue getting bounced all the time with a severely flawed roster that doesn't even fit my own style of play. I can't quite figure out how I even got here with this roster.

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Re: WHIV 2059.20- End of an Era?

Post by BaseClogger » Mon Jul 15, 2024 7:27 pm

Lane wrote:
Mon Jul 15, 2024 7:01 pm
aaaand that's a difference between our GM styles. I ride out the smoke and mirrors of the cycle as long as I can (read: too long) and then suffer the consequences.
You seemed out in front this season. Barely could field a playoff roster lol
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Re: WHIV 2059.20- End of an Era?

Post by BaseClogger » Mon Jul 15, 2024 7:29 pm

recte44 wrote:
Mon Jul 15, 2024 7:05 pm
After a while of riding the smoke and mirrors train and knowing you won't win a Monty but you also won't lose 90 games, something has to give. That is a big difference. I'd rather lose 90+ games then continue getting bounced all the time with a severely flawed roster that doesn't even fit my own style of play. I can't quite figure out how I even got here with this roster.
I’m not sure I even know your style. You’ve been reinventing yourself every year I’ve been here haha
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Re: WHIV 2059.20- End of an Era?

Post by lordtoffee » Mon Jul 15, 2024 10:40 pm

Sometimes the hard decision is the right decision.
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Re: WHIV 2059.20- End of an Era?

Post by DaveB » Mon Jul 15, 2024 11:41 pm

I like to ride the core pieces until you die.
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Re: WHIV 2059.20- End of an Era?

Post by recte44 » Tue Jul 16, 2024 8:47 am

BaseClogger wrote:
Mon Jul 15, 2024 7:29 pm
recte44 wrote:
Mon Jul 15, 2024 7:05 pm
After a while of riding the smoke and mirrors train and knowing you won't win a Monty but you also won't lose 90 games, something has to give. That is a big difference. I'd rather lose 90+ games then continue getting bounced all the time with a severely flawed roster that doesn't even fit my own style of play. I can't quite figure out how I even got here with this roster.
I’m not sure I even know your style. You’ve been reinventing yourself every year I’ve been here haha
I think I may have lost my way a little bit in order to contend. Typically, I'm pitching and defense, constant pressure on basepaths with high OBP guys, speed and heavy gap power.

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Re: WHIV 2059.20- End of an Era?

Post by Trebro » Tue Jul 16, 2024 8:03 pm

It's hard because we're in this weird spot with the talent where the old guys are finally dropping off, but the new kids are...different.

I had a plan but it didn't work, so I'm trying something new which was to trade my way into contention, which I've never ever tried before. If/when that blows up, we're just going to be 100 loss doormats forever, I fear. But I had to try something.

I respect how well you've kept the Husters in the hunt, Matt, even if they aren't Monty level necessarily.
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