Boardwalk Empire - 2041.3 - Additions

[Joshua Biddle]

Gamblers Additions for the 2041 Season

The Atlantic City Gamblers made four primary moves as they attempt to position themselves for a more competitive 2041 season, signing free agent RHP Chet Parrish, 1B/DH Rupert Grant, infielder Luzvimindo Arbizo, and corner infielder Bucky Dornster.

Parrish, 27, agreed to a four-year, $46.5 million deal with the Gamblers, a deal that will pay $13 million in 2041, $12 million in 2042 with an opt out following the season, and player options of $12 million and $9.5 million in 2043 and 2044. Parrish, a former 2nd round pick in the 2031 BBA Amateur Draft (2nd pick, 32nd overall) by the Edmonton Jackrabbits, broke into the majors with Edmonton during the 2034 season and spent his seven-year career with the organization, recording a 62-55 record with a 4.27 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 4.23 FIP, .532 quality start percentage, 729 strikeouts, and a 17.6 WAR in 1,068 2/3 innings pitched (172 appearances, 171 starts). He was part of the 2038 Edmonton Jackrabbits' championship squad, finishing that season 13-10 with a 4.37 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP, a 4.18 FIP, a .323 quality start percentage, 107 strikeouts, and a 1.3 WAR in 174 1/3 innings pitched (30 starts). For the 2040 season, he finished 11-4 with a 4.00 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP, a 4.48 FIP, a .652 quality start percentage, 93 strikeouts, and a 2.0 WAR in 137 1/3 innings pitched (23 starts).

Grant, 38, joins the Gamblers on a one-year, $16.5 million contract with an expectation of having limited at bats compared to past seasons, primarily spelling 1B Adrian Salazar against left-handed pitchers. Grant finished the 2040 season hitting .282/.353/.607 with 98 runs scored, 17 doubles, 4 triples, 48 home runs, 117 RBIs, and a 3.5 WAR in 599 plate appearances. He has lost some ability defensively as a first baseman, but still appears to have the pop that could make him an impact player. As a player in his late 30s, it's not always easy to tell when a player is reaching the end of their effectiveness, and the Gamblers hope that won't come into play this season.

Arbizo, 30, agreed to a two-year, $4.2 million contract that will pay $2.2 million during the 2041 season with a team option for $2 million for the 2042 season. Arbizo is a well known player who is coming off of a relatively poor 2040 season with the expansion Charlotte Cougars organization, hitting .220/.342/.315 with 80 runs scored, 18 doubles, a triple, 7 home runs, 30 RBIs, and a 0.3 WAR in 522 plate appearances. Arbizo is best known for his five-plus stint with the Jacksonville Hurricanes, where he hit .271/.379/.425 with 329 runs scored, 91 doubles, 19 triples, 52 home runs, 257 RBIs, 204 stolen bases in 247 attempts (.826 success rate), and a 13.2 WAR in 2,199 plate appearances. Arbizo is expected to be the backup infielder at the middle infield positions.

Dornster, 33, returns to Atlantic City on a two-year, $10.4 million contract that will pay $5.2 million in 2041 with a $5.2 million team option for the 2042 season. Dornster spent the better part of nine seasons with the Gamblers, recording a 3+ WAR in six of his eight full seasons with the club. Although both of his sub-3.0 WAR seasons came within the past two seasons, the team likes how he meshes in the clubhouse, his popularity among the local fans, and the fact that he can fill in at third base and first base and provide an on-base focus, which is a change of pace with some of the Gamblers' high power / low on-base counterparts.

[recte44]

Not the best ROI here

[jleddy]

Not the best ROI here

Talk about an anti-WAR movement, amirite?!?

[RonCo]

Where are all the flowers gone?