HeraldNet: Time to release M's dead wood




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Dangling Participles

July 23, 2008

Time to release M's dead wood

Posted at 8:21 am by John Sleeper

Wrote a column for Wednesday's paper about the dilemma that faces Mariners interim manager Jim Riggleman. On one hand, he has to showcase as much of the roster as possible for the purpose of getting as much out of trades as possible.

On the other hand, Riggleman has to give the organization's youngsters as much exposure to major league pitching as he can.

These are two dynamics working against each other. My point was that it's next to impossible to work both to maximum potential. In that regard, Riggleman's job is almost impossible, especially when you throw in the factor that he also needs to put some form of a competitive product on the field every night to keep attendance from falling off drastically.

The problem I have in all this is the presence of the obviously unmarketable players on the roster. Can the M's get anything from 34-year-old Miguel Cairo or 33-year-old Jose Vidro? Neither will be part of the M's next year. Nor will they bring anything substantive in the form of a trade. Therefore, why do they take up roster spots and at-bats better used for the kids and those the M's are trying to showcase?

Cairo and Vidro aren't the only ones the brass should part with. Miguel Batista has had more than a fair chance to display what he can do. Either put him on the disables list or release him. Others are in the same boat.

It's time to weed out the dead wood -- those who have no shot at the 2009 edition and those who have no trade value.

Riggleman's job is tough enough as it is.

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