Comments on: Should They Just Waive Miguel Batista?

By: The Ancient Mariner

The Ancient Mariner — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:34:43 +0000

Even so, he’s unlikely to be significantly worse than Batista — and unlike Batista, he has a future.

By: Unemployed Cub fan

Unemployed Cub fan — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 10:47:05 +0000

As a bullpen arm, who is Bastista blocking, really?

Jesus Delgado. Did you read the post?

I sure did. You and I differ in our opinion of Delgado (age 24 … perhaps) being MLB-ready. He’s a AA-AAA arm until he learns how to find the plate. Did you ever see him at Carolina, Dave?

By: Breadbaker

Breadbaker — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 08:50:43 +0000

I think this is a good test for the new management, the anti-Washburn-waiver-deal. It makes no sense to keep someone like Batista around when he’s already proven he can’t pitch, when you have options that can pitch, or might pitch. You either understand the theory of sunk costs or you don’t; you don’t keep hoping that the guy will “turn it around” unless you have some reason to believe that’s the case. 39 year olds who like to be vocal to the media about their belief, in the face of all evidence, that they should be starting regularly, are not worth having on your club.

By: Steve Nelson

Steve Nelson — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 07:26:04 +0000

Mike Snow:

If they release Batista and some other team picks him up for the minimum (which is all theyâ€™d have to pay him since the Mariners are on the hook for his contract), do they at least save the league minimum salary that the other team is paying? Or does he get whatever the second team pays as gravy?

The Mariners save whatever is the prorated portion of minimum salary.

The concept that is at work here is that any money paid by his new team offsets payments from the Mariners. Since any player on a MLB roster has to receive minimum pay, that’s what he gets from his new team and that the amount that the Mariners save.

If a team were to pay him more than league minimum, then that amount over minimum salary would further offset pay from the Mariners; i.e., Batista wouldn’t clear any more money. That’s why there will almost never be a bidding war for the services of a player who has been released while still being paid on a MLB contract. The player will get the same amount of money no matter where he signs, so if he has multiple offers he simply takes the one appeals to him most.

By: Sidi

Sidi — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 06:16:46 +0000

I do not see anyone at this point that has that ability other then Morrow. Am I being to pessimistic here?

A bit. Coming out of the bullpen, properly used, has huge advantages. Pitchers won’t have to face bad handedness splits, and they can throw as hard as possible because they’ll probably be pulled quickly.

You quote JJ as being able to get outs…think about 05. Did you think, at that point, he was worth anything? We have a bunch of guys who may be the 05/06 Putz, or not. And we’re going to be bad enough it doesn’t matter if we give them a chance to suck, or put it together and be worth trading for something shiny.

Shiny!

By: Dash

Dash — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 04:18:04 +0000

It might be premature to waive Batista. Apparently Mark Lowe has been dealing with type 2 diabetes since sometime last year linkage. With Morrow dealing with his forearm, Lowe's situation (they haven't found the right balance yet), and no one exactly excelling in the closer fight, maybe, and I'm not saying I like the idea, but maybe keeping Miguel around for a bit wouldn't be all bad. He's going to be paid by the M's one way or another, so getting some early use out of him may not be a bad thing.

By: Jake N.

Jake N. — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 04:08:26 +0000

Ok, I rarely post, But I have been reading for about 2 years now. I have learned alot and enjoy all the subject matter.
I for one will jump for joy to see Batista sent packing. And see his spot on the 40man roster used to shelter a pitcher with a future.
Yet, I am struggling to put my mind arround how Wak is going to Manage this pen. No real closer with alot of experience, and seriously no stopper other then Lowe. There just is not alot of depth to this pen. All this talk about live arms and kids with up side? Ok that is great but we still need atleast 3 arms in the pen that can get high leverage outs on a daily basis. On the days pitchers do not have their best stuff, they still need to be able to pitch and get outs. JJ, Green, and Sherril could do that. I do not see anyone at this point that has that ability other then Morrow. Am I being to pessimistic here?

By: rcc

rcc — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:43:48 +0000

Good post Dave. If Bavasi was still in charge there is no way this would or could be done, but with Jack Z at the helm there is a chance. It will be interesting to see how this proceeds.

I like how Jack has acquired cheap arms and has demonstrated enough to keep my interest up…even if the M’s suck at least I think they have a chance to improve with a smart front office.

All I really want is a front office committed to both improving the club, and having the “smarts” to make it happen….why didn’t they sign Doyle?

By: Mr. Egaas

Mr. Egaas — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:10:42 +0000

This should be the case study taught for teaching the phrase “sunk cost”.

Time to cut bait.

By: section331

section331 — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 23:56:09 +0000

Yes. Enough already.