HeraldNet: Mariners release Sexson



RECENT POSTS:
• Bedard's silence maddening even to team August 21 • Lopez muffs another, now sits August 10 • Painful loss in 11 innings August 9 • Riggleman 'very disappointed' in Silva's rant August 9 • No announcement yet on Saturday starter (Rowland-Smith) August 8

Archives:



RELATED ARTICLES:
• MLB NOTES: Royals’ Maier struck in face by pitch August 21 • MLB, umpires reach instant replay deal August 21 • White Sox rout the Mariners, 15-3 August 20 • M's farm system filled with quality catching prospects August 20 • White Sox hit four HRs to beat Mariners August 20 • White Sox hit 4 homers to beat Mariners August 19 • Santana throws complete game shutout at Pirates August 18 • MLB NOTEBOOK: Mets acquire bullpen help in deal with Nationals August 18 • McLaren moves on without the Mariners August 17 • Beijing Olympics fertile ground for baseball scouts August 17


ADVERTISEMENT <script language=JavaScript src="http://ads.heraldnet.com/servlet/ajrotator/169233/0/vj?z=heraldnet&ct=122081&dim=169231&abr=$scriptiniframe"></script><noscript><a href="http://ads.heraldnet.com/servlet/ajrotator/169233/0/cc?z=heraldnet"><img src="http://ads.heraldnet.com/servlet/ajrotator/169233/0/vc?z=heraldnet&ct=122081&dim=169231&abr=$imginiframe" width="160" height="600" border="0"></a></noscript>

Mariners Blog

July 10, 2008

Mariners release Sexson

Posted at 10:43 am by By Kirby Arnold

As Richie Sexson's hitting struggles went from bad to worse to difficult to watch, it seemed only a matter of time before the Mariners would cut him loose.

Today they did.

The Mariners announced a few minutes ago that they have released the 6-foot-8 first baseman, who was batting .218 with 11 home runs and 30 RBI in 74 games.

“We felt that at this time it was in the best interest of the ballclub, and in Richie’s best interest, to make this move,” interim GM Lee Pelekoudas said.

The Mariners also placed starting pitcher Erik Bedard (tight left shoulder) on the 15-day disabled list and called up infielder Tug Hulett and pitcher Jared Wells from Class AAA Tacoma.

In releasing Sexson, the Mariners are swallowing what remains of the $14 million they're paying him this season. Former GM Bill Bavasi signed Sexson on Dec. 15, 2004, to a four-year, $50 million contract. Sexson delivered as the club had hoped in his first two years, with more than 30 doubles, 30 homers and 100 RBI, but struggled the past season and a half.

Sexson becomes the first player of note to pay the price for the Mariners' last-place season. Last month, Bavasi and manager John McLaren were fired, and team CEO Howard Lincoln issued a stern warning that underperforming players would be the next to go.

The Herald reported June 18 that the Mariners had begun procedures to release Sexson.

Sexson's hitting problems because so severe that he changed to a new open batting stance. It appeared to help him see the ball better but also rendered him as little more than a singles hitter. Since May 24, he'd hit only two home runs.

Return to Mariners Blog

TODAY'S TOP JOBS

View All Top Jobs

>> view all top homes

>> view all homes

<script language=JavaScript src="http://ads.heraldnet.com/servlet/ajrotator/105699/0/vj?z=heraldnet&dim=100749&abr=$scriptiniframe"></script><noscript><a href="http://ads.heraldnet.com/servlet/ajrotator/105699/0/cc?z=heraldnet"><img src="http://ads.heraldnet.com/servlet/ajrotator/105699/0/vc?z=heraldnet&dim=100749&abr=$imginiframe" width="728" height="90" border="0"></a></noscript>
\|Contact Us \|Advertiser Services \|Home Delivery \|Newsstand Locations \|Classifieds \|Feedback \|About the Company \|Work@the Herald \|Site Map	© 2008 The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA.