M’s Cut Three More
The M’s announced this morning that Luke French has been optioned to Triple-A, while Josh Bard and Chris Gimenez have been re-assigned to minor league camp. If you’re wondering about the difference, a player who is in camp on a minor league deal does not need to be optioned out, since he’s not on the 40 man roster. I wouldn’t be surprised if either Bard or Gimenez asked for their release, as there probably won’t be regular playing time for both in Tacoma.
After cutting Royce Ring and Matt Tuiasosopo yesterday, the roster looks to be pretty close to finalization, barring a trade in the next couple of days anyway. Here’s what we’re looking at.
Catcher: Olivo, Moore
Infield: Figgins, Ryan, Jack Wilson, Smoak, Kennedy, Josh Wilson
Outfield: Bradley, Saunders, Ichiro, Langerhans
DH: Cust
Rotation: Felix-Vargas-Fister-Bedard-Pineda
Bullpen: League-Ray-Lueke-Wright-Laffey-?-Pauley
The last spot in the bullpen essentially comes down to Cesar Jimenez and Tom Wilhelmsen. Jimenez is out of options and would give the team a second left-handed arm out of the bullpen, but Wilhelmsen has far better stuff and some legitimate upside. Both are on the 40 man roster, so that won’t be a factor in the decision – in the end, it will come down to whether or not the M’s believe that Wilhelmsen’s stuff outweighs his lack of experience. Personally, I think he’s probably better off starting the year in the minors – it’s not like the team couldn’t easily bring him up if he starts the year strong – but given that the bullpen projects to be pretty lousy until Aardsma returns, I can understand the temptation of having another big arm to come on in relief in April.
Of course, all of this is subject to change in the next 72 hours, as the M’s have a few days to pick up a player who might be getting squeezed out somewhere else. With what’s in camp right now, though, this is probably the roster.
Amazing to think that’s the Opening Day roster of the 2011 AL West champs.
Really can’t believe that Josh Wilson has a place on this roster.
So how does this compare to what the authors and others predicted? It seems like things didn’t turn the way anyone expected.
Has Luis Rodriguez been sent down, or is the battle for the role of light-hitting utility infield (who can play short and second) still on?
Mark Hendrickson just became available. Maybe release Cesar and send Wilhelmsen. Hendrickson might fit Safeco pretty well 🙂
If Wedge believes he’s going to be pinch hitting for both Brendan Ryan and Jack Wilson with some regularity, than you need another guy on the bench who can play shortstop. He’s also a decent enough baserunner to serve as a pinch-runner when needed. It’s not that crazy.
Hendrickson is a fine suggestion, as I noted on Twitter. I’d also take Rick Vandenhurk, another arm cut by the Orioles this morning. They’re both better than half the guys in this bullpen right now.
Me too. I know nothing.
It seems like our bullpen is full of low-upside replacement-level players. If I’m Jack Z., I’m praying for some relievers to be released, because what we’ve got we could pick up from the clearance bin at the Dollar Store.
And pitchers that are released from other teams are better bets? Maybe on a case-by-case basis, but it’s nothing like a sure bet. I’m a firm believer that good bullpens are grown, not bought. Just because we had a decent spring doesn’t mean we are going to the playoffs this year. Let the nobodies get some experience so maybe they will become somebodies.
So are we all assuming Gutierrez is starting the season on the DL?
Are you assuming that Guti starts the year on the DL? Did I miss something?
Jayson Nix is available, i could see the Mariners trading for him, he´s much better than Josh Wilson, he has some power too, 14 HR last season…
At this point it seems inevitable that Guti is on the DL. He hasn’t played for quiet a while, and late last week somewhere it was said that if he didn’t play soon, he would start the season on the DL.
The nice thing about the DL during spring training is that you can back-date the DL to the last time he played. So, even if you put him on the DL, he can be quickly activated because he hasn’t played in such a long time. Also, putting him on the DL allows them to keep the 4 outfielders and 6 infielders, along with this “pile” of relievers.
Towards the end of last week, Wedge as much as said Guti was going to start the season on the DL.
I have no illusions regarding Paperboy; but I’ll take him over Tui. Kennedy seems like a nice addition, in any case.
I’m a believer in this, too, however, most of the relievers in this pen aren’t homegrown, or even young. Jamey Wright is a bad month away from playing shuffleboard, Chris Ray is 29 or so, and Pauley is 27, soon to be 28.
I’m not saying let’s get rid of them all, but I am really hoping a potentially useful reliever is put on waivers in the next few days, because this bullpen needs help. It is going to get painful watching this team lose 2-1 games because we were up 1-0 when our starter left.
I’m wondering what will happen when Guti gets back. Do we waive paperboy, send down Saunders (still has one year of options, right), or go with a 6-man bullpen?
Seems like a 6 man bullpen in a little short, at least for the long-haul, seeing as how 2 of the starters are going to have limited innings (Bedard and Pineda).
Josh Wilson is gone. Adjust your projections as necessary.
Theres a trade coming!!!!!!