Comments on: Vidro will vest if he’s not stopped

By: Steve Nelson

Steve Nelson — Sat, 31 May 2008 13:47:21 +0000

#24:

What is the advantage of releasing players in the last year of their contract? Their roster spot? Donâ€™t you lose out on extra draft picks, or is that only if they sign elsewhere?

The advantage is that you can add someone better to the roster or create an opening to give some playing time to a young player.

Although you technically lose the possibility of getting draft picks, in reality you don’t lose picks. You only get compensation draft picks when you offer arbitration to a departing free agent who is ranked as a Type A or Type B free agent, and the player signs with another team. When a player is released mid-season it’s almost certain that player’s team would not have offered arbitration to that player at the end of the season.

By: josh_h

josh_h — Sat, 31 May 2008 13:12:36 +0000

24- good question. I would love to know the answer in regards to releasing Sexson and Vidro.

By: josh_h

josh_h — Sat, 31 May 2008 13:10:17 +0000

Here’s the thing. The M’s are well aware of exactly when his option will vest. Vidro’s option won’t vest by chance, or just because he’s playing a lot now, etc.

All I’m saying is that it’s like any other decision. It will vest if the M’s want it to vest. If they do not want it to vest, then they will not let it vest. There’s really no sense it counting the PAs, etc.

By: edgar for mayor

edgar for mayor — Sat, 31 May 2008 06:48:58 +0000

I will puke if his option picks up.

By: planB

planB — Sat, 31 May 2008 01:42:55 +0000

What is the advantage of releasing players in the last year of their contract? Their roster spot? Don’t you lose out on extra draft picks, or is that only if they sign elsewhere?

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 31 May 2008 01:26:19 +0000

Well, Vidro’s batting average sucks, and they were aware that was his main skill, so they now agree that he’s not very good. But really, this is like a blind man running into a pole and then sidestepping it after getting up – it’s not learning that should be applauded.

By: Jeff Nye

Jeff Nye — Sat, 31 May 2008 01:05:32 +0000

So Dave, if I’m understanding you right, there’s reason to believe the the Mariners have a more realistic view of Vidro’s value (or lack thereof) than they did last year that isn’t so heavily driven by a completely empty batting average?

That’d make me ecstatic, because it’d mean they’re learning, at least a little.

Baby steps.

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 31 May 2008 01:01:54 +0000

Even if he goes .330/.380/.420 for a few months, they’ll toss him once we get to August. If he’s hitting well, they’ll pick up most of his salary and trade him to a contender who wants a bench player. If he hits .270/.330/.360, they’ll release him.

Either way, he’s pretty likely to end the year off the roster.

By: planB

planB — Sat, 31 May 2008 00:35:16 +0000

625 plate appearances in 2008, or 1,150 plate appearances in 2007-08, of which 600 of those plate appearances are in 2008

condition A: 625 PA in 2008

condition B: 1150 PA in 2007 and 2008, 600 of which are in 2008 (combined and has to have 600 this year)

right?

By: DMZ

DMZ — Sat, 31 May 2008 00:30:09 +0000

Sure, it’s true they released those guys, but they did so when they were obviously awful even in their eyes. If they were happy with Vidro last year, and we know from some of their decisions they were at least happy enough to play him over DHing Ibanez and playing Jones, then what’s to say that if Vidro doesn’t manage to hit for a high average the rest of the year that they won’t retain him?

I’m not arguing that they’d keep him in the lineup if he was hitting .220. It’s if he goes “.330 in the two months since the back spasms subsided” or something similar.