[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen trade WR Gaylor
The exodus of Maassluis Merchantmen players this off-season continues. Today the Merchantmen management announced the trade of wide receiver Tucker Gaylor to the Paris Musketeers for a fourth round pick in the 2089 draft.

Gaylor broke out with 51 catches for 720 yards as the Merchantmen #2 receiver last season. It was his third season in Maassluis after being taken in the fifth round of the 2085 draft. He had just 12 catches for 142 yards before last season.

Being in the last year of his rookie contract, Gaylor felt that he deserved an improved contract, which the Merchantmen under their current cap situation can't afford. It didn't take long for an interested trade partner to fly bye, as the Paris Musketeers offered a fourth round pick for him.

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Merchantmen re-sign QB Farley
The Maassluis Merchantmen have agreed terms with quarterback Francisco Farley to a new one-year contract. Farley was the third stringer for the Merchantmen last season, seeing no action in his rookie campaign. The undrafted free agent signing has been tipped to be the starting quarterback in Maassluis for the upcoming 2088 season.

The Merchantmen released Ellis McAlister earlier on this off-season and Farley was a restricted free agent. Earlier on kick holder Karsten Muchnick signed a new two-year contract.

Odds are the Merchantmen will bring in a bunch of young quarterbacks to challenge Farley for the starting role. If cap space requires it, Maassluis may or may not look in different directions, as the Merchantmen general manager M.IJ.B. made no secret of wanting to go for a new quarterback in the 2089 season. That said, the Merchantmen are known for trying to be competitive all the time. Even during rebuilding seasons, which the 2088 is shaping up to be.

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Merchantmen present 2088 draft class
Two defensive tackles, a linebacker, a running back, a wide receiver and a new kicker. That's the score for the Maassluis Merchantmen in the recently completed 2088 amateur draft.

Running back Bart Gunja was taken in the fifth round. The Merchantmen believe he has the much desired combination of hole recognition and breakaway speed, similar to last season's starter Reggie Thongchanh. Expectations are this might be Thong's last season in Maassluis, playing on the final season of his rookie contract. Gunja will likely have to ride the bench, if he makes the final 53-men roster.

Wide receiver Tracy Arntt was taken primarily for his special team skills. A promising kickoff returner, Arntt fits the Merchantmen tradition well. He was taken late in the seventh round, but he was already considered at the fifth round by the team. Arntt has okay big play ability to make him suitable for hail mary plays as well.

Kicker Emmett Wells was graded highest at his position. The Merchantmen took him with the final pick of the third round, acquired in the deal that saw the Merchantmen trade their first round pick to the Houston Mustangs for a 2089 first round pick to save cap space.

Defensive tackle Corwin Nowlin was the first player taken in the third round by the Merchantmen. He's considered as a promising pass rusher, which shouldn't be a surprise given the tradition of fast defensive linemen.

Fifth round pick Kurt Ackerman is another fast defensive tackle. Given the current state of the defensive line, surely Ackerman and Nowlin will see a lot of playing time in their rookie campaigns.

The middle of three third round picks, linebacker Trenton Mendelssohn appears to be yet another pass rusher joining a depleted front seven. He was regarded the second best outside linebacker of this class.