Aaron Laffey –> AAA, Dan Cortes –> Seattle
Aaron Laffey had a bad game tonight. I mean, *really* bad. And, to make matters worse, the Mariners had company over. The Sonics tried to ignore it, and they changed the subject when they could, but Laffey had a legitimately bad game.
Afterwords, the M’s optioned him to Tacoma and brought up Dan Cortes, who’s been terrible in July (but better in the past week or two). I don’t know; there’s not a whole lot to say about this. Laffey’s not good, and the speculation that he’d get a velocity jump by moving to the pen full-time haven’t been borne out. He’s replacement level, or a bit above. But a move like this just looks odd.
If they demoted a player for having a bad game, the M’s wouldn’t have anyone left. If they brought someone up for a hot week in AAA, the M’s would’ve recalled Peguero, Mike Wilson and they would’ve brought Alex Liddi and Johan Limonta up in May. I don’t know what was said in the dugout, and I have to assume that something beyond “Laffey didn’t have his best stuff” is at work here, but the move just doesn’t make a lot of sense. I know they’re moving vets out to see if some of the younger guys can step up, but Laffey is 26.
Laffey isn’t a great pitcher, so it ultimately means nothing. But what would you say is the rationale here? What’s the process that drives a move like this? I like Dan Cortes, and if the rationale is something as simple as “we need to get Cortes working with Jaime Navarro again” then I can sort of see it. But at least initially, this is head scratcher.
Game 105, Rays at Mariners
Bedard vs. Niemann, 7:10pm.
If this is Bedard’s last start in a Seattle uniform, I sincerely hope he goes out a winner. May you confuse and irritate a new set of beat writers, and may you win over that segment of another fanbase that isn’t given to musing about your motives and psychological make-up.
The M’s have been scouting the Detroit and Boston systems, but for now, I just hope the guy gets a nice ovation when his night is done.
The line-up:
1: Ichiro
2: Ryan
3: Ackley
4: Olivo
5: Carp
6: Smoak (DH)
7: Kennedy (1B)
8: Gutierrez
9: Figgins
Reliever Josh Lueke tweeted about today’s game, “Let’s keep this train rolling!” which is just adorable.
Cust DFA’d, Langerhans traded for cash considerations
Well, we’ve got a bit more information about how the M’s might use new designated hitter Wily Mo Pena.
The incumbent, Jack Cust, has been designated for assignment. This move allows Erik Bedard to retake his 25-man roster spot and pitch tonight in what’s widely seen as a trade showcase. Ryan Langerhans is suiting up for the Reno Aces tonight, the Diamondbacks AAA affiliate, meaning that the M’s essentially traded Langerhans (plus some cash) for Wily Mo Pena. With Saunders in CF, Peguero back in LF and a revolving cast of 1Bs, Langerhans didn’t really fit. He’s better right now than someone like Peguero or Tui, but that’s not important.
Pena will mostly likely join Tacoma tomorrow, though how long he stays in AAA is an open question. For now, the M’s may be back to using Adam Kennedy or Justin Smoak at DH. Shannon Drayer notes that the move also allows Blake Beavan to stay on the roster, which would help if the M’s decide to one of their starting pitchers before the trade deadline.
UPDATE:
The great Mike Curto mentions that by keeping Beavan on the roster, they avoid burning one of his options. He hasn’t used one because he was only added to the 40 man when they brought him up to Seattle.