WHIV 2008 Vol. 1- A "Rapid" Exit from the Desert

[recte44]

When you've been as good for as long as Las Vegas has, you're certain to face some tough personnel decision based on finances at some point.

For Las Vegas, that time is now. They've been approaching the $100M salary cap limit over the past couple of years, and with some late season pickups last season and arbitration raises, they broke it during the offseason. It was time to make some moves based on salary.

So, it makes perfect sense that their first deal of the offseason actually RAISED their salary obligations, right?

Off Topic

Las Vegas receives:
AAA LF Jacob Brown (http://baseballretrospective.com/MBBA/O ... 10680.html)
DL MR Kenneth Secor (http://baseballretrospective.com/MBBA/O ... _2346.html)

Omaha receives:
ML SP Luis Luna (http://baseballretrospective.com/MBBA/O ... _9916.html)

"This was a performance deal, a baseball decision and not a financial one," GM Matt Rectenwald explained. "And it wasn't the easiest decision to make either."

There was a certain fondness for the 26 year old lefty Luna, acquired from Greenville in June 2004. "Luis was quiet, but he really wanted to win," said pitching coach Damon Rutherford. "He had so much talent and for a while there it looked like he was going to put it all together, but it never really every came together for him here."

The Barnstormers, through all of their offseason news, have seemed very excited about Luna...much as the Hustlers were when they first got him. "Great guy, but the inconsistency will drive you crazy," manager Elroy Futon said.

In return the Hustlers received some bullpen help, and a prospect. Secor, 30, suffered a shoulder injury in August and was expected to be out until mid-April. However, shortly after being acquired, team trainer Samuel Le Roy announced that Secor suffered a setback, and could now miss another 4-5 months. This could lead Rectenwald to shop him around, or even release him outright. "We'll keep an open mind, but if Kenneth isn't going to be able to give us anything this year, I'd much rather clear that salary off the cap," Rectenwald explained.

Las Vegas hasn't been shy to target "late blooming prospects" in trade talks recently. Over the past couple of years both Joe Garland and William Brownlee fit this label. The Hustlers now hope that Brown, age 25, can be the next. "We love his bat, and we think he'll need another year at the minor league level," Rectenwald explained. The club also plans on making him more versatile and introducing him to first base during Spring Training. Bench coach and MBBA Hall of Fame first baseman Randy Spratt is working one on one with Brown this Spring. "He's catching on quickly, and he'll be fine there," Spratt said.

[recte44]

Already getting inquiries on Secor.

[agrudez]

Already getting inquiries on Secor.

What is this, the Hot Stove twitter account? It was an offer to eat his salary for you.

[recte44]

Sweet, I was just notified that Secor has had another setback, this time HIS CAREER IS OVER.

So I just traded Luna for an under-developed 25 year old. Grrr, he'd better develop. I view Jacob Brown as the next John Catron if he does.

[agrudez]

Wow... that is rough bud, sorry to hear. I really hope Brown develops and he did get 1 CON/POW bump since the trade, but he is about to turn 26 in 2 weeks and is still 6 points off his POT. I'm actually surprised he even got the bump he did since the deal, but it seems that prospects have a bit longer to develop in this league than I am used to (usually 25 is the bewitching hour and 26 is when their POT starts to regress back to the OVR, but it seems it may be 26 and 27 in this league just from some cursory looks I've taken at players around it).

So, anyway, do you wanna further discuss a trade to unload Secor's salary?

[recte44]

I just released him.