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Thursday, March 29, 2007

AP: Union to file grievance for [Todd] Walker

Infielder Todd Walker cleared waivers Thursday, and the players’ union plans to file a grievance over his release from the San Diego Padres.
...
“Based on what we have learned to date, we believe the Padres’ termination was not consistent with the Uniform Player’s Contract and the Basic Agreement,” [Player’s union general counsel Michael] Weiner said. “Our investigation will continue during the processing of the grievance, and we will do all that is necessary to vindicate Todd’s rights.”

The 33-year-old Walker struggled in spring training, hitting just .225, and the Padres are heavy with left-handed hitters off the bench.

I don’t think Walker’s going to get real far on this one, but the MLBPA has to at least go through the motions for appearance’s sake, I suppose.

NTNgod Posted: March 29, 2007 at 07:31 PM | 21 comment(s)
Related News: General, San Diego

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1. Bruce Markusen Posted: March 29, 2007 at 07:48 PM (#2320553)

The union has almost no chance on this one. While I think Walker's salary was a factor in his release, proving that will be very difficult. The Padres are going to fall back on performance-related reasons--Walker's poor spring plus the composition of the bench--and say that he didn't fit. I suppose they could also make the argument that they tried to trade him but found no takers, further supporting their claim that he is a player who deserved to be released.

2. H. Vaughn Posted: March 29, 2007 at 08:37 PM (#2320577)

I suppose they could also make the argument that they tried to trade him but found no takers

Everybody seems to think Walker's a good and useful player except managers and GMs.

3. Tom (and his broom) Posted: March 29, 2007 at 08:40 PM (#2320579)

i think walker has a decent chance to see more money...the fact that the pads offered him arbitration is pretty damning....i don't think they stand a chance of convincing somebody that he wasn't going to make the team if they had won the arb case...and more importantly the pads can't afford to fight this too hard, a team needs its players to have some trust in management...

my guess they slip walker another million out of court and he quickly catches on with the cubs or somebody.

4. The Mets make Russlan sad Posted: March 29, 2007 at 08:42 PM (#2320581)

He'd look better in a Met uniform than David Newhan does.

5. NTNgod Posted: March 29, 2007 at 08:50 PM (#2320586)

the fact that the pads offered him arbitration is pretty damning

Marcus Giles wasn't freely available at that point. Once the Padres were able to sign Giles, everything changed.

(plus, they could argue they offered Walker arb to secure the draft picks if he signed elsewhere)

6. Dewitty_Pun Posted: March 29, 2007 at 08:50 PM (#2320587)

No, he'd be a perfect fit for a certain American League team in the Dallas area.

7. Tom (and his broom) Posted: March 29, 2007 at 09:18 PM (#2320597)

ntn, agreed about giles....but it still works in walkers favor. sure the team had other priorities, but they made a commitment to Walker...the arbitration rules exist largely to prevent things like this...

the second point actually is a point in walkers favor, the rules are pretty clear that if the team plays that game they run the risk of getting stuck with the contract.

8. The George Sherrill Selection Posted: March 29, 2007 at 09:33 PM (#2320607)

He'd be perfect for the Mariners. Crappy player, "veteran leadership", what more do you want?

9. Darren Posted: March 29, 2007 at 10:27 PM (#2320645)

(plus, they could argue they offered Walker arb to secure the draft picks if he signed elsewhere)

Can they really argue that? I had thought that would be bad faith somehow. Isn't that what the rules are in place to protect against?

I would think the Giles thing would make more sense. They could just say that Giles beat him out.

10. Dewitty_Pun Posted: March 29, 2007 at 10:28 PM (#2320647)

Look at this player's last name and who he played for in 1985.

11. NTNgod Posted: March 29, 2007 at 10:29 PM (#2320648)

I had thought that would be bad faith somehow.

I don't know... I've seen various GMs flat out say that in various articles. /shrug

12. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: March 29, 2007 at 10:36 PM (#2320652)

Look at this player's last name and who he played for in 1985.

Unless you were trying to give us another hint about the team you alluded to in post No. 6, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be looking at.

13. Does Aaron Hill Have To Smack A Pitch? Posted: March 29, 2007 at 11:03 PM (#2320665)

Unless you were trying to give us another hint about the team you alluded to in post No. 6, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be looking at.

I'm guessing you never saw this show.

14. villageidiom Posted: March 29, 2007 at 11:06 PM (#2320667)

You're supposed to be acknowledging the cleverness of "Walker, Texas Ranger" so that he stops.

There was a long-running gag in our family, wherein I'd taught my daughter to put her hands on her head with a look of shock and dismay, like Macaulay Culkin in "Home Alone", and shout, "Todd Walker?!" at each mention of his name. I don't remember the reason why it started, but it was cute. Now it's the only thing I remember about his tenure with the Red Sox.

15. The Mets make Russlan sad Posted: March 29, 2007 at 11:19 PM (#2320673)

Now it's the only thing I remember about his tenure with the Red Sox.

Walker had a pretty fantastic postseason for the Red Sox in 2003. .349/.391/.767 with 5 homers, which is as many as David Ortiz hit in the 2004 postseason. Not saying that what he did was as huge as Ortiz, but it certainly is worth remembering.

16. MSI Posted: March 29, 2007 at 11:20 PM (#2320675)

He'd be better than John MacDonald that's for sure.

17. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: March 29, 2007 at 11:22 PM (#2320678)

I'm guessing you never saw this show.

Actually no, though I was aware of its existence.

You're supposed to be acknowledging the cleverness of "Walker, Texas Ranger" so that he stops.

If that's what it takes vi, then brilliant Gags, brilliant.

18. Darren Posted: March 29, 2007 at 11:30 PM (#2320684)

Yeah, I'm surprised you don't remember those 5 HRs in the 03 playoffs, along with a great diving catch.

19. Smiling Joe Hesketh Posted: March 30, 2007 at 08:58 AM (#2320763)

Walker was great in the 2003 playoffs. He hasn't been very good since then.

20. AROM wants you off his lawn Posted: March 30, 2007 at 09:31 AM (#2320776)

Lets talk more about Chuck Norris.

Did you know he once tried out for the Texas Rangers? He was hitting so many homeruns that people wanted to check his bat for cork, except he wasn't using a bat. He was just punching at the pitches and sending them out of the stadium. He got bored because the game was too easy and became an actor instead.

21. Dan The Mediocre Posted: March 30, 2007 at 09:50 AM (#2320788)

Did you know he once tried out for the Texas Rangers? He was hitting so many homeruns that people wanted to check his bat for cork, except he wasn't using a bat. He was just punching at the pitches and sending them out of the stadium. He got bored because the game was too easy and became an actor instead.

I heard he was using his male organ, which is the size of a bat, and hit the balls so hard they disintegrated when he hit them. Then, when the manager got mad because he was destroying balls, he kicked him so hard that he sent him 20 years into the future.

I also heard Chuck Norris wasn't born, but punched his way out of the womb. It was shortly after this that he grew a beard.

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Thursday, March 29, 2007

AP: Union to file grievance for [Todd] Walker

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