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Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Mariners DH Jose Vidro designated for assignment

In Vitro (Latin: within the glass) Out Vidro (Latin: without the fat ass)

Seattle Mariners Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Lee Pelekoudas announced today that the Mariners have designated Jose Vidro for assignment. To take his spot on the Major League, 25-man roster, the club has recalled outfielder Wladimir Balentien from AAA Tacoma.

Balentien will be in uniform and available for tonight’s 7:10 p.m. game vs. the Minnesota Twins. Seattle now has 10 days to trade, release, option or assign Vidro outright to the minors.

“We appreciate all of Jose’s hard work and professionalism,” Pelekoudas said. “We wanted to have every opportunity to try and trade him. Even though that opportunity may still exist, now that we’ve passed the July 31 deadline it was important for us to continue our transition into a club that is looking towards the 2009 season, even as we try to win as many games as possible this season.”

Thanks to Lookout Landing.

Repoz Posted: August 05, 2008 at 11:02 PM | 69 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: mariners

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1. Chase Utley, Shooty's Favorite Robot (Joey Belle) Posted: August 05, 2008 at 11:07 PM (#2891729)

Another Expo bites the dust.

2. Swedish Chef Posted: August 05, 2008 at 11:13 PM (#2891739)

"We couldn't explain our reasons for playing him at DH with a straight face anymore, so he had to go."

3. Crispix Attacks Posted: August 05, 2008 at 11:15 PM (#2891745)

An interesting question. Who will be the last active Expo? Livan Hernandez's chances are not good right now. Nor Brad Wilkerson's.

My guess is either Todd Zeile, or Carl Pavano. No, wait...Chad Cordero. Or Brendan Harris, who has apparently played for 6 major-league teams already.

4. JRVJ (formerly Delta Socrates) Posted: August 05, 2008 at 11:17 PM (#2891751)

They could have traded him to the Yankees with Washburn, avoiding the need to DFA him and eat his salary.

But I guess Mariners management is not about to be taken for fools by the Yankees (they're stupid, but proud).

5. Jimmy P Posted: August 05, 2008 at 11:18 PM (#2891755)

My guess is either Todd Zeile, or Carl Pavano. No, wait...Chad Cordero. Or Brendan Harris, who has apparently played for 6 major-league teams already.

I'd go with Rauch. He only pitches like 50-80 innings a year, but if he carves out a niche, he could be one of those relievers that stays around until he's in his late 30's.

6. Crispix Attacks Posted: August 05, 2008 at 11:19 PM (#2891758)

They should have just traded the whole team to the Yankees for Kei Igawa. The Yankees probably would have done it in order to get Felix Hernandez and that young catcher guy. And the Mariners get to save a lot of money and build around a new Japanese superstar.

7. Jimmy P Posted: August 05, 2008 at 11:19 PM (#2891760)

But I guess Mariners management is not about to be taken for fools by the Yankees (they're stupid, but proud).

This management is just plain dumb. There's no way around it. Will they turn a profit this year? It's probably conceivable.

8. An Athletic in Powderhorn Posted: August 05, 2008 at 11:27 PM (#2891770)

Who will be the last active Expo?"

My guesses would be:

1. Cordero
2. Vlad
3. Maicer Izturis

I expect the majors be Expo-less by 2015 or so.

9. Shock Posted: August 05, 2008 at 11:28 PM (#2891772)

LOL.

They play him all year despite him being terrible and then DFA him after he'd hit .349 / .364 / .488 in his last 45 PA.

Now we'll never know who would have won the Book Blog poll. Damn.

10. Chase Utley, Shooty's Favorite Robot (Joey Belle) Posted: August 05, 2008 at 11:52 PM (#2891811)

I expect the majors be Expo-less by 2015 or so.

That's a world I don't want to live in.

11. Darnell McDonald had a farm Posted: August 05, 2008 at 11:56 PM (#2891817)

If the Red Sox need a DH to replace Ortiz should they go after Vidro or just hand the job to Lugo?

12. Enrico Pallazzo Posted: August 05, 2008 at 11:58 PM (#2891822)

Orlando Cabrera, Nick Johnson, Brian Schneider, Maicer Izturis, Scott Downs, Chad Cordero, Jon Rauch (I saw him hit a bomb off Roger Clemens once at Olympic Stadium, immediately followed by a Wilkerson bomb -- it was sweet), Brendan Harris, Endy Chavez, Vlad, Javier Vazquez, Michael Barrett, Jamey Carroll, Ted Lilly.

Ce sont les Expos who seem a good bet to be sticking around for the next few years. My money would be on Rauch or Izturis in about 8 years.

Man I miss this team.

13. Rough Carrigan

Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:08 AM (#2891837)

Vesting option avoided.

14. Esoteric Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:14 AM (#2891849)

Ryan Church was also an Expo, lest ye forget. Of course, he's another one that may be out of baseball in the near future (damn concussions...)

Oh, and Repoz?

Thanks to Lookout Landing.

Trust me, I think I speak for Lookout Landing when I say "no, thank YOU."

15. CraigK Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:14 AM (#2891850)

As expected, Lookout Landing and USS Mariner are practically orgasmic over this.

About damn time, too.

16. Esoteric Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:22 AM (#2891870)

Also, more former Expo starters:

Javier Vazquez
Pedro Martinez
Moises Alou
Brian Schneider
Michael Barrett
Fernando Tatis (!)
Geoff Blum
Orlando Cabrera
Endy Chavez
Juan Rivera
Mark Grudzielanek
Randy Johnson

Yes, quite a few of those guys (Pedro, Randy, Moises, etc.) are on their way out, but we still have a way to go until we've seen the last of the Expos' old guard. That's right: THEY LOST THAT MUCH TALENT OVER THE YEARS. 2015 sounds about right to me.

17. CraigK Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:27 AM (#2891883)

Could you count Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore?

18. Chase Utley, Shooty's Favorite Robot (Joey Belle) Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:31 AM (#2891891)

Could you count Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore?

Brandon Phillips isn't worth a mention?

19. CraigK Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:35 AM (#2891903)

Brandon Phillips isn't worth a mention?

Forgot the last one. Him too.

20. Crispix Attacks Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:36 AM (#2891907)

Cliff Floyd
Matt Stairs!
Dustin Hermanson
Guillermo Mota
Raul Chavez, currently with the Pirates
Matt Skrmetta
Talmadge Nunnari
Nelson Santovenia
Archi Cianfrocco
Nikco Riesgo
Dale Mohorcic
Chris Nabholz
Chad Bentz
Bruce Chen

And, um, is Carl Pavano's career over now, or what?

21. Enrico Pallazzo Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:37 AM (#2891908)

Rockey Biddle!
Peter Bergeron
Matt Cepicky
Lee Stevens
Brad Fullmer

22. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:38 AM (#2891911)

Hermanson hasn't pitched in majors or minors since 2006. I'm pretty sure we can close the book on him.

23. Crispix Attacks Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:40 AM (#2891915)

Whoa, I thought he was still on the White Sox. Then again, I thought Joey Eischen was still active until searching for him just now, too.

24. Esoteric Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:41 AM (#2891917)

Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore, and Brandon Phillips don't count because they were all still in the minors (without any ML service time) before they got traded.

25. Chase Utley, Shooty's Favorite Robot (Joey Belle) Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:44 AM (#2891919)

I expect Termel Sledge to be back on a Major League roster any day now.

26. Crispix Attacks Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:47 AM (#2891925)

Termel Sledge (or Talmadge Nunnari) could very well be the new Mariners DH.

27. zonk Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:59 AM (#2891968)

Where do I go to put my money on Tatis?

He went yard again tonight.... twice.

28. SouthSideRyan Posted: August 06, 2008 at 01:13 AM (#2891993)

I'd definitely take the over on 2015. And I'll take Majewski for the last surviving Expo.

29. Still Waiting on Pork Chops (John R.) Posted: August 06, 2008 at 02:22 AM (#2892190)

Sooooo...trading Vidro and Joba yesterday afternoon in my AL-only roto league was a good idea?

30. Tuque

Posted: August 06, 2008 at 02:27 AM (#2892197)

Randy Johnson was an Expo?

...a quick check of Baseball Reference leaves me stunned, but pleased.

31. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: August 06, 2008 at 03:20 AM (#2892308)

Kudos to Mariners management for figuring out what all of us knew about three years ago.

32. Voros McCracken, Human Shield Posted: August 06, 2008 at 03:25 AM (#2892318)

Is there a list somewhere of the last Washington Senator (II), Seattle Pilot, Milwaukee Brave, etc?

33. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: August 06, 2008 at 03:32 AM (#2892332)

Who will be the last active Expo?

Terry Francona.

34. Chase Utley, Shooty's Favorite Robot (Joey Belle) Posted: August 06, 2008 at 03:44 AM (#2892343)

Is there a list somewhere of the last Washington Senator (II), Seattle Pilot, Milwaukee Brave, etc?

http://www.thediamondangle.com/archive/jan03/survivors.html

35. Srul Itza Posted: August 06, 2008 at 03:53 AM (#2892357)

We wanted to have every opportunity to try and trade him.

To who?

FOR WHAT?

36. Cris E Posted: August 06, 2008 at 04:02 AM (#2892366)

If COL can find a home for Livan I'm sure there's room for a lost waif like Jose.

37. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: August 06, 2008 at 04:11 AM (#2892370)

Is there a list somewhere of the last Washington Senator (II)

Without looking at the link, I'll guess Toby Harrah.

A "Reversi" question: Who was the first National to be active? Without looking it up, I'd guess Lenny Harris.

38. Crispix Attacks Posted: August 06, 2008 at 04:18 AM (#2892375)

A "Reversi" question: Who was the first National to be active? Without looking it up, I'd guess Lenny Harris.

Mike Stanton maybe?

Or the aforementioned Joey Eischen.

39. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: August 06, 2008 at 04:20 AM (#2892377)

I'll go out on a limb and suggest that Jim Kaat was the last of the original Senators.

40. David Nieporent (now, with children) Posted: August 06, 2008 at 04:32 AM (#2892383)

Randy Johnson was an Expo?

...a quick check of Baseball Reference leaves me stunned, but pleased.

I hope that was a joke.

41. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: August 06, 2008 at 04:37 AM (#2892385)

A "Reversi" question: Who was the first National to be active? Without looking it up, I'd guess Lenny Harris.

Mike Stanton maybe?

Or the aforementioned Joey Eischen.

Silly me, Harris never played for the Nats. Mike Stanton debuted in 1989, Eischen in 1994.

42. Devin has a deep burning passion for fuzzy socks Posted: August 06, 2008 at 04:40 AM (#2892388)

For those who didn't RTFA, they only hit some of the teams (Dodgers, Giants, Boston Braves, Browns, Philly & KC A's, and Pilots). So both Senators and the Milwaukee Braves are unanswered.

And the real old-time stuff if you're in a goofy mood. I can make guesses for all the teams that folded in 1899 - in order of confidence:

Louisville - Tommy Leach, beat Honus by coming back in 1918.
Baltimore - Hughie Jennings, although from cheezy stunt appearences as a manager. (By that standard Satchel Paige covers a lot of Negro League teams, FWIW.)
Washington - Roger Bresnahan, he had a brief tryout as a pitcher in 1897.
Cleveland - Cy Young? I kind of doubt it, but I don't know of anyone else.

And of course, the Expo who will last longest in professional sports is Youppi!

43. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: August 06, 2008 at 04:49 AM (#2892392)

For those who didn't RTFA, they only hit some of the teams (Dodgers, Giants, Boston Braves, Browns, Philly & KC A's, and Pilots). So both Senators and the Milwaukee Braves are unanswered.

And while I have no doubt the author intended well, the article seems to lack 'officiality', if you know what I mean.

44. Chase Utley, Shooty's Favorite Robot (Joey Belle) Posted: August 06, 2008 at 04:59 AM (#2892395)

Well I do know that Cap Anson was the last Rockford Forest City(and the last NA Philadelphia Athletic too).

Here's some more:

Cleveland Spiders - Bobby Wallace
Baltimore Orioles (1901) - Roger Bresnahan
Milwaukee Brewers (1901) - Davy Jones
Washington Senators (orig) - Jim Kaat
Milwaukee Braves - Phil Niekro
Washington Senators (exp) - Toby Harrah

45. Brandon in MO (Yunitility Infielder) Posted: August 06, 2008 at 07:01 AM (#2892418)

so, will the Mariners bat their pitcher now that they have nobody else to be DH?

46. Tuque

Posted: August 06, 2008 at 08:29 AM (#2892429)

I hope that was a joke.

Mr. Nieporont:

I'll admit to the world I'm a youngster who only started paying attention to baseball within the past year. While I know that puts me low on the totem pole here, I hope it will be considered a good thing that the world of intelligent baseball fandom has been recruiting new members.

So no, that wasn't a joke.

47. The cushions are crowded for Edmundo

Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:21 PM (#2892454)

Tuque, some day when you have time to kill, look through the Expos year-by-year in BaseballReference and see how many good players they developed.

When Johnson came up, he was something the likes of which we had never seen before. I don't know if any player had been bigger than 6'8" and here was this 6'10" or 11" bean pole who threw really, really hard and had no idea where the ball was going. He put 10 times the fear into batters than Jim Rice put into pitchers*.

* As alleged by the Jim Rice HOF Booster club, anyway.

48. Don't want the truth; just wanna see some dingers Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:37 PM (#2892461)

He also had wild-man hair, and played the drums. He was quite a sight.

EDIT: link

49. zonk Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:40 PM (#2892462)

I'll admit to the world I'm a youngster who only started paying attention to baseball within the past year. While I know that puts me low on the totem pole here, I hope it will be considered a good thing that the world of intelligent baseball fandom has been recruiting new members.

So no, that wasn't a joke.

I would like to declare a moratorium on making me feel old...

Cripes... I still have lingering remnants of a memory of this 9 foot tall freak of nature striking out something like 15 Cubs as a 'Spo in a late 80s game before he was traded. He looked lanky enough to just place the ball in the catcher's mitt (still does).

Bonus points for anyone that name the player the Expos received for the Johnson-centered package without peaking.

50. Sexy Lizard Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:44 PM (#2892464)

The last Expo will be Scott Downs. He'll be flipping crap past lefties until he's 40.

51. Greg Pope Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:49 PM (#2892468)

Bonus points for anyone that name the player the Expos received for the Johnson-centered package without peaking.

Langston?

52. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:51 PM (#2892470)

Bonus points for anyone that name the player the Expos received for the Johnson-centered package without peaking.

Mark Langston, of course! Back in the good days, when the 'spos traded prospects for veteran goodness to help them down the stretch.

53. zonk Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:54 PM (#2892472)

Langston?

Bingo. We've come full circle -- the Mariners have returned to their 80s heyday of moribundity.

BTW - this is the game I was thinking of... and it was only 11 Ks.

In the Cubs' defense -- their 3-4-5 hitters that day were Mitch Webster, Darin Jackson, and the immortal Dave Meier. I'm fairly sure Livan Hernandez might strike out 2 or 3 guys against that lineup.

54. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:54 PM (#2892473)

Extra bonus points for naming the players traded with Johnson to the Mariners for Langston.

55. zonk Posted: August 06, 2008 at 12:57 PM (#2892475)

Extra bonus points for naming the players traded with Johnson to the Mariners for Langston.

I'll forgo the answer, as I've been toying around in bbref thus rendering my guesses ineligible -- but I will say that I knew the more famous/less obscure of the two players that went with him. I doubt I'd have guessed the other.

56. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: August 06, 2008 at 01:12 PM (#2892479)

Extra bonus points for naming the players traded with Johnson to the Mariners for Langston.

Oh god, I knew this once. One of them was a Scott something, or Steve something. Oh, no, take it back. Brian Holman, I'm pretty sure. And he, if I remember right, was the big prospect in the trade, not Randy. I think Holman also came within one out of a perfect game before Ken Phelps had a single. There was another guy, too. No idea who that is.

57. bunyon Posted: August 06, 2008 at 01:15 PM (#2892481)

I didn't see anyone mention Vlad upthread. I doubt he'll be last, but figured he'd get a mention in any Expo nostalgia thread.

Yes, stop making me feel old. My ankles do that work for you, so it's a waste of your time.

58. The Marksist Posted: August 06, 2008 at 01:39 PM (#2892495)

He also had wild-man hair, and played the drums. He was quite a sight.

If RJ were a muppet, he'd be animal.

59. Hack Wilson Posted: August 06, 2008 at 01:48 PM (#2892503)

Who was the last St. Louis Brown in the majors?

Was it Don Larsen who pitched 3 games for the Cubs in 1967? The last Browns team also had Bob Turley and Roy Sievers.

The next to last Browns team had Hornsby as manager.

Wanna feel old I remember Ralph Kiner playing for the Cubs but have no idea who

the immortal Dave Meier

was.

60. Dan Szymborski

Posted: August 06, 2008 at 01:52 PM (#2892511)

You can't forget Brian Holman! He's the guy who messed up his arm and tried some bizarre underwater Scuba Pitching physical therapy.

61. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: August 06, 2008 at 01:54 PM (#2892513)

He's the guy who messed up his arm and tried some bizarre underwater Scuba Pitching physical therapy.

Scuba Pitching? How did I miss this story? That's endearingly bizarre.

62. Dan Szymborski

Posted: August 06, 2008 at 02:05 PM (#2892524)

Scuba Pitching? How did I miss this story? That's endearingly bizarre.

Can't find much on the internets now, just a reference to it from BaseballLibrary. I swear I first read about it in SI back when it was worthwhile pre-intertubes, but I can't find anything in the SI archive. From what I remember, he had incredible weakness in his shoulder and absolutely nothing was working for him, so he started pitching underwater in full scuba attire in an attempt to build up his strength. He never pitched again.

Looking at his stats, Holman wasn't as good as I remember him. Probably because I was playing a lot of Major League Manager, a fairly rudimentary text simulator for the 1989 season, and Holman (along with Scotty Bankhead) ruled the world. Interesting how the Holman/Bankhead/Hanson/Johnson quartet worked out - one became one of the best pitchers in MLB history, three blew out their shoulders.

63. rlc Posted: August 06, 2008 at 03:09 PM (#2892596)

Nobody remembers Gene Harris? Just as well, I suppose...

[Checks B-R]

Huh. The Mariners sent the Expos a PTBNL? A former first rounder who had already reached the majors? You learn something new every day...

So Langston -> Johnson, Holman, Harris -> Garcia, Guillen, Halama -> Olivo, Reed, Morse, Santiago -> ? Looks like the second law of thermodynamics at work...

64. Dan Szymborski

Posted: August 06, 2008 at 03:12 PM (#2892600)

Looks like the second law of thermodynamics at work...

I always knew that Bill Bavasi and entropy were linked somehow.

65. Greg Franklin Posted: August 06, 2008 at 04:19 PM (#2892692)

And John Halama.

Wait, that sounds wrong.

66. jwb Posted: August 06, 2008 at 06:18 PM (#2892841)

From what I remember, he had incredible weakness in his shoulder and absolutely nothing was working for him, so he started pitching underwater in full scuba attire in an attempt to build up his strength. He never pitched again.

But he had a fine second career as a crustacean procurement contract employee for Red Lobster.

67. The cushions are crowded for Edmundo

Posted: August 06, 2008 at 06:39 PM (#2892882)

so he started pitching underwater in full scuba attire in an attempt to build up his strength

I'd love to see a Carlos Gomez analysis of this

68. Walt Davis Posted: August 06, 2008 at 07:05 PM (#2892941)

Yes, stop making me feel old. My ankles do that work for you, so it's a waste of your time.

As long as there's still life left in the wrist...

69. Random Transaction Generator Posted: August 06, 2008 at 07:49 PM (#2893039)

Full breakdown of the Montreal/Seattle trade involving Randy Johnson/Mark Langston:

bold indicates original players traded (or PTBNL)
^ Indicates second level trade
^ ^ Indicates third level trade
^ ^ ^ Indicates fourth level trade
* indicates still playing for that team and may add to totals
(minors) indicates player never made it to the majors
(#) indicates total IP or PA for the team he was traded to
(name) indicates for which player he was traded as a package/straight up

<u>Seattle:</u>
Brian Holman (544.7 IP)
Gene Harris (94 IP)
^ Will Taylor (minors) (Gene Harris)
Randy Johnson (1838.7 IP)
^ John Halama (557 IP) (Randy Johnson)
^ Freddy Garcia (1096.3 IP) (Randy Johnson)
^ ^ Jeremy Reed (1033 PA*) (Freddy Garcia)
^ ^ Mike Morse (337 PA*) (Freddy Garcia)
^ ^ Miguel Olivo (330 PA) (Freddy Garcia)
^ ^ ^ Miguel Ojeda (37 PA) (Miguel Olivo)
^ ^ ^ Nathanael Mateo (minors) (Miguel Olivo)
^ Carlos Guillen (1896 PA) (Randy Johnson)
^ ^ Ramon Santiago (58 PA) (Carlos Guillen)
^ ^ Juan Gonzalez (minors) (Carlos Guillen)

<u>Montreal:</u>
Mark Langston (176.7 IP)
Mike Campbell (0 IP)
^ Rob Fletcher (minors) (Mike Campbell)

NOTE: Ben Davis was included in the trade with Freddy Garcia to the White Sox.
Otherwise, this would be a complete list of the original trade and the chain reactions.

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Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Mariners DH Jose Vidro designated for assignment

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