Drafted IF Lamont Poper from the Montreal Blazers in the Rule 5 Draft.
Poper is a studly defensive infielder, a speed demon, and has ridiculous power. The knock on him is he couldn't hit for contact. Over the offseason he bumped to a 6, so he could end up being a starting player in time. If he can ultimately hit .240, his secondary skills will make him a star. Montreal got tired of waiting, and I can't say I blame them. This guy is the prototype of a player that should get picked in the Rule 5, for everyone else to miss him is a damn shame. Poper will be the Hustlers utility infielder this year, but could be more down the road.
Signed P Bill Brittany to a two year deal worth a total of $900,000.
Brittany is depth, and that's it. We have no delusions of anything but him being AAA filler.
Signed RP Will Gagus to a 2 year deal worth a total of $2,540,000.
Gagus adds a veteran lefty to the Hustlers bullpen. Had a rough spring, but they still feel he could be an asset. If not, come June he could be traded to Greenville.
Signed IF Jonathan Noon to a 1 year contract for $870,000.
Noon rakes lefties, so he's back for that role. Will see time at first base versus LHP, as his range at other infield positions is slipping. When not starting will be a top pinch hitting option.
Lost IF Zebediah "Yahoo!" Williams on waivers to Washington.
The MBBA's All-Time SB leader was made expendable with Poper's addition, coupled with the re-signing of Noon and the emergence of rookie Reginald Harnois. Hopefully he can get some PT with the Bobwhites.
Signed SP Bjorn Nepal to a 3 year deal worth a total of $10,470,000.
Nepal, just 26 years old, was the "under the radar" signing of the year in our opinion. It protects us from losing any top pitcher to injury, and he'll take the #5 spot and give youngster Robert Yoo more AAA seasoning. It also resulted in the ability to waive high priced flop Felix Pan.
Lost SP Felix Pan on waivers to Hawaii.
The second time waived during the winter, the Hustlers were happy to see Hawaii take them off the hook for his big salary and fading talents. Apparently Pan will be the #3 starter for the Tropics...this makes their "contention" stance a tough pill to swallow.
Signed RF Dwight Smith to a one year deal worth $2,300,000.
The Hustlers offense is very vsL heavy, and Smith gives them a dangerous bat against RHP. Going into the winter asking for multi-year deals worth over $7M per year, Smith had to settle for a below market deal largely because of his Class A tag, that resulted in Greenville getting Vegas' #1 pick in this draft.
