UPDATE: Expect to see Shelton in Seattle tomorrow. No word on who will be sent down.
With the M's going to a four-man rotation for the next little while, this move was hardly unexpected. Shelton brings them another bat on the bench to replace the ailing Mike Sweeney, and Jason Vargas (who seems to be the consensus pick for demotion) will be able to keep fresh as a starter in Tacoma. What'll be interesting to see is what happens with Shelton once Sweeney's eligible to come back. Ordinarily you'd re-instate the guy who's been here all season, but given that Sweeney's probably made a greater contribution off the field than on it, I don't think anyone would be surprised if the M's extended his vacation. A guy like Sweeney is nearly impossible to DFA, but you also don't want to see much more of his .292 wOBA in the lineup, so being able to keep him around the team but out of the batter's box seems like it would be an ideal scenario.
Shelton, by the way, has hit .319/.385/.522 with Tacoma, with twelve home runs and the sort of defense that is most politely described by using zero adjectives. He's here to hit, and if he hits, he'll probably be here a while.
0 recs | 30 comments
Good news, everyone!
Slow Country - July 8, 2009
This type of comment should be reserved for Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth.
Goose - July 8, 2009
I've made a comment here before about just putting Sweeney on the DL and then bring
up the player you wanted to play, but the response I got was you just couldn’t do that if he didn’t have a real injury. Something about union rules, blah, blah, blah. Would it be true that a team can put a player on the DL, pretty much indefinitely, if the player didn’t complain to the player’s union?
Sinking Away - July 8, 2009
Pretty much
The whole DL system is kind of a joke. If the M’s were to leave Sweeney on the DL until September, everybody would know what’s going on, but no one would say anything. If one team complains then it ruins it for everyone.
Jeff Sullivan - July 8, 2009
But, since they all do and no team wants to get busted, it's ok. I think I got it. Thanks.
Sinking Away - July 8, 2009
Jeff Weaver is the first player I rember going on the DL with suckitis. But I'm sure there were many before him.
SethGrandpa - July 8, 2009
Ladies and Gentleman, I give you "Anxiety Disorder"
Brian Floyd - July 8, 2009
ding dong the witch is dead
which old witch?
The wicked witch!
Poochie - July 8, 2009
By the way
Texas is showing us for consecutive righty starters, so I don’t know how much Shelton we’ll actually see before the break, if any.
Jeff Sullivan - July 8, 2009
Probably lots since he was playing third in Tacoma
Right?
Poochie - July 8, 2009
TENS
Jeff Sullivan - July 9, 2009
I mean tons
Jeff Sullivan - July 9, 2009
If for some reason that doesn't work out we can always stick him back at catcher
Poochie - July 9, 2009
Can't be any worse than Johnson
Mariner John - July 9, 2009
No way his catcher ERA would be as low.
Slow Country - July 9, 2009
Wait, Shelton can play catcher?
That means there’s six catchers in the organization who suck fewer testicles than Rob Johnson. Seriously, wtf.
I Lick Squirrels - July 9, 2009
I think he can play catcher in the same way Craig Biggio could play catcher.
Mariner John - July 9, 2009
And Raul.
PositivePaul - July 9, 2009
and Clement
Poochie - July 9, 2009
Still, though
We’re talking about Rob Johnson here.
I Lick Squirrels - July 9, 2009
Also, one of the M's better pitching prospects, Michael Pineda, maybe shutdown for the year due to elbow problems.
Nothing serious, just to be safe, I guess.
russak - July 9, 2009
Prospects don't generally get shut down for the year just to be safe.
That sounds all sorts of yikes. Source?
Aaron Campeau - July 9, 2009
Bleeding Blue and Teal has something on it
Also a Churchill tweet (which is where BBT got it)
Mariner John - July 9, 2009
Hmm think I'm going to wait before I freak out then
OlSalty - July 9, 2009
Vargas going away? NO WAY!!!!
To do otherwise would be carrying Bavasi’s torch!
ESB - July 9, 2009
Well it's about time.
Coach Owens - July 9, 2009
Shelton 4 3rd!
Bearskin Rugburn - July 9, 2009
Leone for Third!
Er, wait…
urchman - July 9, 2009
How about A.J. Zapp?
Big Seahawk Loser - July 9, 2009
There's this dude named Edgar up in Calgary that might not be a bad option...
PositivePaul - July 9, 2009
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