Mariners Analysis

Sunday, July 03, 2005

Thoughts on Boone DFA

If you've read this blog, you know I have long questioned the sanity of a team giving up something for Boone. Look back last year and I basically laughed at even the suggestion a GM would give anything of value for a guy in his declining years with a huge salary. The M's gambled on Boone, and it didn't pay off.

The DFA is not a surprise in the sense that this gives the M's the chance to see if ANYONE is willing to pay part of his salary. The good news is that the M's actually did this. To have a player as popular as Boone and just out right release him is pretty shocking, and a good move by Bavasi. Boone is not in a "slump" and he is not going to break out of it. The youth movement needs to happen, and having guys like Boone wasting at-bats wasn't helping.

It is curious that Lopez was just sent down, then almost immediately brought back up. It makes you wonder when this was planned, and for how long. This seems like a recent change of heart by Bavasi, so lets see if the beat writers can give us some insight into the thought process behind the move.

From a personal standpoint, I like Bret Boone. He is fun guy to root for, and I wish he had been more productive. However given his declining production, he is this years Olerud.

I hope things work out buddy. Good luck wherever you go.