HEAV
07-03-2005, 02:36 PM
Boone cut by Mariners
July 3, 2005
SEATTLE (AP) -- Three-time All-Star second baseman Bret Boone was cut by the Seattle Mariners on Sunday after a half-season of struggles at the plate.
The 12-year veteran, who has 252 homers, was designated for assignment. Seattle has 10 days to trade him or put him on waivers.
Boone, 36, is hitting .231 with seven homers and 34 RBIs. He was benched for four games two weeks ago to work on his swing with batting instructor Don Baylor. On his return, he played well during a three-game series in San Diego, but manager Mike Hargrove said recently ``he has reverted back to where he was before.''
Seattle is responsible for the remainder of his $8.25 million salary this year. Boone said he would not be available to talk about the move until after Sunday's game against Texas.
Shortstop Jose Lopez and outfielder Chris Snelling were recalled from Triple-A Tacoma, and infielder Dave Hansen was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an inflamed elbow.
General manager Bill Bavasi said this 10-day period to deal with Boone ``was to put a deadline on ourselves as well as anyone who has interest in him.''
``People mistake designating a player as a loss of leverage,'' Bavasi said. ``You have to evaluate the leverage you had. A deadline applies some sort of leverage. I don't want to say we are hopeful of making a deal that significantly improves this club. Our goal right now is to make as fair a deal as we can make and find a place where he can play every day.''
Bavasi said that he had talked to several clubs about potential trades involving Boone. He said he had the makings of a deal a week ago ``but it didn't have legs.''
``We had some decent discussions but as you know very little happens in baseball without a deadline,'' he said. ``We felt a change was in order. We want to get better every day. We want to improve our club right now. It's as much as getting Jose Lopez on the club as it was to designate Bret Boone for assignment.''
Lopez was hitting .264 with four home runs and 11 RBIs for Tacoma. He had missed the first six weeks of the season after surgery to repair a broken bone in his left hand. While Boone was benched, Lopez played second for the Mariners and hit .250 with a pair of doubles and four RBIs in six games. He was sent back to Tacoma after Boone returned to the starting role.
Bavasi said that Boone was ``very, very professional'' when told the news two hours before Sunday's game. ``He gets it. He understands the business,'' Bavasi said of Boone, whose father Bob and grandfather Ray were both major league ballplayers. ``That's not to say he was happy about it. He likes Seattle. He has had a lot of good times here. So it's difficult.''
Boone hit .331 in 2001 with 37 home runs and 141 RBIs. He finished third in the MVP vote behind Oakland's Jason Giambi and the winner, teammate Ichiro Suzuki.
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Now, when I look at his 2001 stats, I just feel steriods had a hand in this guys career.
I also feel the same thing for Mike Lowel of the Marlins. He also hasn't been anywhere near his old self at the plate or in the field.
July 3, 2005
SEATTLE (AP) -- Three-time All-Star second baseman Bret Boone was cut by the Seattle Mariners on Sunday after a half-season of struggles at the plate.
The 12-year veteran, who has 252 homers, was designated for assignment. Seattle has 10 days to trade him or put him on waivers.
Boone, 36, is hitting .231 with seven homers and 34 RBIs. He was benched for four games two weeks ago to work on his swing with batting instructor Don Baylor. On his return, he played well during a three-game series in San Diego, but manager Mike Hargrove said recently ``he has reverted back to where he was before.''
Seattle is responsible for the remainder of his $8.25 million salary this year. Boone said he would not be available to talk about the move until after Sunday's game against Texas.
Shortstop Jose Lopez and outfielder Chris Snelling were recalled from Triple-A Tacoma, and infielder Dave Hansen was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an inflamed elbow.
General manager Bill Bavasi said this 10-day period to deal with Boone ``was to put a deadline on ourselves as well as anyone who has interest in him.''
``People mistake designating a player as a loss of leverage,'' Bavasi said. ``You have to evaluate the leverage you had. A deadline applies some sort of leverage. I don't want to say we are hopeful of making a deal that significantly improves this club. Our goal right now is to make as fair a deal as we can make and find a place where he can play every day.''
Bavasi said that he had talked to several clubs about potential trades involving Boone. He said he had the makings of a deal a week ago ``but it didn't have legs.''
``We had some decent discussions but as you know very little happens in baseball without a deadline,'' he said. ``We felt a change was in order. We want to get better every day. We want to improve our club right now. It's as much as getting Jose Lopez on the club as it was to designate Bret Boone for assignment.''
Lopez was hitting .264 with four home runs and 11 RBIs for Tacoma. He had missed the first six weeks of the season after surgery to repair a broken bone in his left hand. While Boone was benched, Lopez played second for the Mariners and hit .250 with a pair of doubles and four RBIs in six games. He was sent back to Tacoma after Boone returned to the starting role.
Bavasi said that Boone was ``very, very professional'' when told the news two hours before Sunday's game. ``He gets it. He understands the business,'' Bavasi said of Boone, whose father Bob and grandfather Ray were both major league ballplayers. ``That's not to say he was happy about it. He likes Seattle. He has had a lot of good times here. So it's difficult.''
Boone hit .331 in 2001 with 37 home runs and 141 RBIs. He finished third in the MVP vote behind Oakland's Jason Giambi and the winner, teammate Ichiro Suzuki.
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Now, when I look at his 2001 stats, I just feel steriods had a hand in this guys career.
I also feel the same thing for Mike Lowel of the Marlins. He also hasn't been anywhere near his old self at the plate or in the field.