Double Downs Owner Makes Surprise Visit - Firesale Looming?

Las Vegas Double Downs owner gtce made a surprise stop in Sin City yesterday. The Double Downs got off to a terrible start, losing 18 of their first 25, but have since rattled off 4 consecutive wins. Rumors began swirling of a fire sale that could see the franchise, which has never won fewer than 87 games in a season and has missed the playoffs just twice in 12 season, shed a number of big name players. Sparky Dessens, J.R. Milton, and Francis Bird are just 3 of the players rumored to have been discussed.

gtce was reportedly locked in internal meetings all day attempting to decide the future of the franchise. WCM has also learned that Mexico City Bandejos owner, dyuen, was also spotted in Sin City. Does anyone think it a coincidence that the master of franchise-changing trades just so happened to be in Vegas when the Double Downs owner flew in considering moving top name talent?

Change of scenery for faultering Double Downs?

As the season's last day approaches, the Las Vegas Double Downs are assured of missing the playoffs for the first time in the franchise's history. The Double Downs 86-75 record will put them at least 1 game below the franchise low point (88-74 in season 3). They'll fail to win the division title for the first time ever (8 seasons). The team's 4.36 ERA is the worst since the superball era of season 1 (4.48).

Francis Bird Las Vegas Double Downs Age: 27 B/T: L/L Born: Huntington Beach, CA Position(s): P (SP4) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

So what happened? Some say this is just time and low draft picks catching up with a historically good team. Others say the lack of bullpen stalwart and team glue, Haygood "The Duke" Hunt hurt the clubhouse. Team owner gtce98 has a different opinion. The season's turning point occurred when the owner had his guard down. As he moshed to Rage Against the Machine, franchise ace, former #1 overall pick Francis Bird had turned to the dark side. An all-night craps bender left the wunderkind sleepy and fatigued for his 3rd start of the year. 2/3 of an inning later, Bird's elbow failed. Two hours after that, team doctors confirmed a stress fracture.

"I'd spent a lot of time with Francis, cautioning him about the dangers of Sin City. I thought he was in a good place, his demons behind him. I guess I was wrong."

Bird made it back to throw 12 more starts, but he wasn't the same. His 5 wins were the fewest he'd amassed as a professional. His 4.63 ERA the worst he'd posted since rookie ball. The kid is clearly at a crossroads.

So how will the owner turn around the team? Team officials are publicly silent. But inside sources tell WCM that gtce is looking for a safer place to call home. San Diego, near Bird's parents in Huntington Beach, CA is one possible destination. The photograph seen here pictures gtce, league commissioner jwendt, and an identified real-estate agent inspecting Petco Park, the possible destination of a relocated Double Down franchise.

Byrd back, or is he?

The Las Vegas Double Downs welcomed back staff ace, and former #1 overall pick, Francis Byrd, who had been on the DL with a stress fracture in his pitching elbow.

Francis Bird Las Vegas Double Downs Age: 27 B/T: L/L Born: Huntington Beach, CA Position(s): P (SP3) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Byrd, a 20-game winner and All-Star last season, has made just 6 starts (2-4) on the season. He's thrown well twice against LA and Nashville since his return, but was bombed by Sioux Falls in between. While team sources deny it, Windy City Musings is reporting that Byrd's injury was the result, not of pitching, but of his voracious craps habit. Pit bosses from unnamed Vegas casinos report that ever since Byrd signed a 4 year, $24.4 dollar deal prior to the season, he's been a regular at high-roller rooms up and down the strip, at times spending 6 hours at the table, and often rolling 300+ times. The photo below shows Byrd. Look closely and you'll notice that he's using his right hand while his left appears to be in a cast.

Recent reports have Bryd changing back to his left (pitching) arm after a run of bad luck cost him nearly $1.5 million over a holiday weekend. If those reports are true, the Double Downs, locked in a heated pennant chase for the first time in recent memory, might be in more trouble than anyone knows.

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