WHIV 2006 Vol. 4- Hustlers "reload" phase begins!

[recte44]

The Las Vegas Hustlers are one of the most storied franchises in the MBBA. They have won 3 of the last five championships. They are loaded with veteran stars.

However, in the new MBBA economy, it was becoming quickly clear to General Manager Matt Rectenwald that good times wouldn't last forever without painful and perhaps drastic measures. The Hustlers took that drastic measure today when they traded stars for prospects in a deal with the Marquette Suns:

To Marquette:
1B/OF Benjamin Rivero
C Desi Stanley
RP Austin Horta
RP Norbert Rich
RP Gabriel Goodwin

To Las Vegas:
C Jim Dunn
1B Alexander Rigney
SS Jesus Ferrer
P Ron George
C Bob Henley

Analyzing the Departed:
- Rivero was one of Rectenwald's personal favorite players. However, having missed significant time due to injury in 3 of the last 4 seasons, making almost $13M a year for the next three seasons, and his outfield defense having declined to a point they weren't comfortable with anymore it was clear that they had to move him. Problem was, no one in the league wanted him. Today was only the second trade talks involving Rivero, and the first ones fizzled out quickly (but developed into the Moronobu for Bobke/Garland deal with Greenville). Rivero, at age 35, still has the talent to put up numbers but with Fraser Dodson at first base he's going to have to do it as an outfielder (bad news for Marquette pitchers).

- Stanley has been on the Hustlers Trade Block nearly since he arrived. The Hustlers were dead set on playing Roark Dempsey and Stanley is too good to be a bench player. He'll get a chance to get back to All-Star status as the Suns starting catcher.

- The Hustlers acquired Horta as a lefty specialist for the pennant run, but he didn't impress. His second tour of duty was shorter than his first, but equally frustrating. The Hustlers hope that unlike the last time they traded him he won't go to his new team and become a stud.

- Rich was originally acquired from Marquette. He has nice talent, but he's not a game changer. The Suns last minute inquiry to his availability certainly wasn't going to curtail this deal, especially when it nabbed us "Gimp" Rigney.

- Goodwin has a live arm, but will always struggle with his command and that makes him a hit or miss kind of reliever.

Analyzing the New Hustlers:
- The Hustlers are extremely high on the 19 year old Dunn, and clearly feel he's the catcher of the future. It's reasonable to expect the Hustlers to spend some time on his work ethic before the 2007 season.

- Rigney is a first base prospect, and one who has completely flopped in pro ball after a ballyhooed college career. He's worthy of a shot, as he's still only 20 years old.

- Ferrer is more of a second baseman than a shortstop. Amazing gap power, but his speed is just slightly above average. He probably projects as a utility infielder but *could* become a star. These are the types of prospect I love to keep an eye on!

- George has the highest ceiling of the bunch. If he learns to keep the ball in the park, he could become a starter. More likely is he develops into a top flight reliever. Time will tell, as he's just 18 years old.

- Henley clearly replaces Stanley as the primary backup catcher. Good contact hitter with passable defense.

What does this trade mean?:

1. The Hustlers aren't going to be the dominant Hustlers of old, but they still have the best starting pitching in the league and with that good things could happen.

2. Las Vegas knocked almost $22 million from their Salary Cap number this year with this deal.

3. Marquette has a chance to be pretty good this year.

4. This could spark a lot more big names being moved from Las Vegas over the next year.