Maxwell M. Maple is a feature reporter for the Las Vegas Daily Star and the lead reporter for the Las Vegas Hustlers
The pitching staff for the Hustlers' Opening Day roster was all set. The coaching staff were using Ron Madden to prove a point to their boss, GM Matt Rectenwald. To his credit, the typically reserved Rectenwald took the needling in stride. Spirits were high when their Assistant General Manager, Aaron Burnette, tried to re-focus everyone on the task at hand.
"Alright, alright...we've had our little laugh at Recte's expense," said Burnette through his own chuckling. "We gotta finish up this roster. Hank, can we start with catchers? That should be easy."
Brewer, still doubled over in laughter, stood up straight and took a moment to compose himself. "Yeah guy. It's easy as pie. Morgan and Bonfield. We had that one figured out a couple weeks into free agency."
Burnette nodded. "We don't even need to discuss that. So let's go to the infielders. This one's on you, Hutch." Eyes in the room focused their attention on Charles Hutchesson, the first base coach.
"Okay, so we know that we have the starters set. So that's Luigi Canavan, Czar Mamatulin, Randy Wright, Jorge Madrid and Eduard Faktorovich," the mid mannered Hutchesson said. "That's for sure. Now it gets a little tricky. We would have Mario Romero as our utility guy, but he's going to the IL. That'll leave a spot for someone we weren't counting on to backup the middle infield. I assume you all want Don Dulaney for corner backup?"
Tony Banelous, the hitting coach, spoke up. "I know Don is a little disappointed these days, given he thought we were clearing third base for him when we traded Tristan (Lloyd) away last year. I just don't think he gets on base enough to play every day. Am I wrong? Someone tell me I'm wrong?"
Manager Henry Rectenberg interjected with his opinion. "We could send him to Milwaukee for regular play, but I'm not quite sure if that'll help him," he said. "So for now, I'd like to keep him as a power bat off the bench."
"Ok, so who is going to take Romero's spot then...." Hutchesson mused. "Any of these guys would have to be added to the 40-man roster. Kong, Offredi, Iugini."
"We need some speed on the bench," offered Brewer. "Iugini can run."
"He's not much of a shortstop, though," said Hutchesson. "Wright would have to backup shortstop, I suppose."
"Fine by me," said Rectenberg. "Let's bring him. Should be a fun call to make. I know he's probably waiting at home, sitting behind that old drum kit of his so no one can get at it. Always going on and on about how no one can touch his drums."
"So the infield is set then," said third base coach Juan Sweetworld. "Let's get the outfielders set then. Yoshikawa, Hampton and Saltik, they're locks."
"Then we have to figure out Trejo, Delgado, Kino and Cabrera," Burnette said. "Four guys, two spots."
Rectenwald had been quiet, again, the entire time. "You guys have been trying to get rid of Cabrera for over a year, for some reason. Why? Don't you like guys who get on base and play defense?"
Banuelos took the bait. "He sure didn't do much for us last year, boss."
Rectenwald smirked. "Small sample, Tony. What'd I tell you about making decisions based on small samples? It's bad practice. Look at the large sample from last year. What'd he do in Milwaukee, Aaron?"
Burnette punched up a program on his tablet, read quickly, and gave the information requested. ".336/.459/.444/.903, one postseason round MVP, and a ring."
"Sounds like someone we can make a spot for," Rectenwald said, now working to guide his staff to make a decision he wanted them to. "Doesn't it?"
No one seemed in the mood to start an argument with their boss over a bench player. They all nodded and there was a bit of uncomfortable silence. Burnette was, again, the one to initiate conversation. "That leaves us with one spot for Trejo, Kino and Delgado."
"That's a tough call," Rectenberg admitted, solemnly. "Delgado was a starter for us. Now, if you're making me choose between those three, especially with Romero out, I gotta take Kino."
"I told Angel (Trejo) he was probably going to at least start the year at Milwaukee, and I want him to play a little first base while he's there," said Burnette. "He seems like he'll be a pretty awesome bench bat at the least, but let's give him as much flexibility as possible."
"Sounds ok to me," said Rectenberg. "About Roberto (Delgado). What the hell am I going to tell him?"
"I'll talk to him," said Rectenwald. "This is a special case. It's not anything he did, it's just that there are better options for us right now. He's caught in a numbers game. All he can do is go to Milwaukee and not pout. He should go down there and just rip that minor league pitching to shreds. LIke Kino did last year, right?"
"Yeah, Kino certainly did that," said Rectenberg. "And I consider him invaluable now. For his bat, his defense and his clubhouse presence. He's our secret weapon."
"All righty then," said Burnette. "This is our team. I'm sure it'll be different in a few days, like when we send Madden to the minors where he belongs, but for now, this is it. What do you think, Maxwell?"
They all turned towards me. "Who, me? Why...I'm not even here."
