Somebody Claimed Austin Kearns ?!?!?!?!
by Parks Smith on Aug 14, 2009 2:46 PM EDT
Email
Print
With the clock ticking on the Washington Nationals' attempt to sign top pick Stephen Strasburg, the Nats appeared to have lost the chance to come up with another $3.4 million in savings they could have put toward signing him. According to a major league source, when the Nats put ineffective outfielder Austin Kearns through waivers, another club actually put in a claim for him. Kearns is due the remainder of his $8 million salary this year and a $1 million buyout of his $10 million option for 2010. Kearns is hitting .195 this year and .209 over the past two seasons.
The Nationals could simply have "awarded" Kearns to the claiming team to get out from under the contract, Alex Rios style. But just as Kearns was getting claimed, the Nationals placed him on the disabled list on Aug. 5, retroactive to Aug. 4, with a thumb injury. Once on the DL, Kearns could not be claimed, the source said. "I don't think it's the difference between signing Strasburg or not," the source said of the $3.4 million, "but it couldn't have hurt." - Tom Verducci
Who the hell claimed Austin Kearns?
18 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
This is a huge fail if it's true.
As someone mentioned in another thread, maybe it had something to do with Kearns’ injury status? Are waiver claims all caveat emptor, or would it be another black eye for the franchise to move damaged goods that way?
"If somebody hasn't seen me, I try to leave a good impression on their mind, so they come back to enjoy this beautiful game of baseball." --Tony Plush
It would have been horrible to do to somebody.
When he’s back in a week, they can put him on irrevocable wavers and if somebody claims him (again) they get him for free.
I agree we may want to trade with the organization again
"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James
I wouldnt wish Kearns on anyone...not even Iran.
Padilla walked into the Nats' clubhouse for the first time and said, "My God. I'm in heaven."
Not even if we were facing them in the NLCS?
Wait, or are they an AL team? I’ll bet the mullahs use the DH. Stoopid theocrats, can’t play REAL baseball…
"If somebody hasn't seen me, I try to leave a good impression on their mind, so they come back to enjoy this beautiful game of baseball." --Tony Plush
He is an ok player, but very overpaid. I wonder who it would be?
I’ll bet the A’s would take him if the Nats coughed up some of the money. He is far from useless and walks alot. Frankly the Mets may have realized he is all round better than Francour. Or perhaps the Reds want him back? It would be cool. I likr the guy, but he is overpaid and we do have plenty of replacements.
"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James
I just have to think it would be a team who has a shot at the playoffs...otherwise, why bother?
I think maybe a late game defensive replacement for the Werth on the Fillies. No clue though.
For a second, I thought I was dreaming
Then I saw the post, noticed that everything was in the past tense, and started wondering how Mike Rizzo could justify his job candidacy if he’d pulled him back off waivers. Of course, that’s not really the case (DL changed it). I know I talk a lot of crap about Kearns, and I know that he’s not nearly as bad as I think he is. However, with his contract status, getting his contract off the books the rest of the season and not having to pay the $1 million to buy him out would have to be euphoric for anyone in the front office.
by bluelineswinger on Aug 14, 2009 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe Cincinnati
He was much better in Cincinnati, possibly because of his familiarity with the area (Kentucky, southern Ohio). Others have pointed out that maybe he just needs to go back home. The Reds might think that way too. If so, then Kearns would be a much better fit for them than with the Nats.
I don’t really know if all of this is the case. Just trying to figure out who would claim Kearns off waivers.
-------------------------------------------------
Washington, first in war, first in peace, last in the NL East :(
I personally think he juiced through his first year here, then he quit.
His first year here was at RFK, so his adjusted numbers compared similarly to Cincy. Then he fell off. I think WMP used to juice as well.
"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James
How was he better in Cincinnati?
His last year there they gave up on him and shipped him to AAA in June of the season.
See below.... he was much better in Cincy. His OPS fell 160 points in 2007 and stayed down this season
Year team BA on% Slg% OPS
2002 Cin .315 .407 .500 .907
2003 Cin .264 .364 .455 .819
2004 Cin .230 .321 .419 .740
2005 Cin .240 .333 .452 .785
2006 Cin .274 .351 .492 .843
2006 Was .250 .381 .429 .810
2007 Was .266 .355 .411 .766
2008 Was .217 .311 .316 .627
2009 Was .195 .336 .305 .641
Total .256 .353 .427 .780
"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James
Kearns was playing injured for much of 08 before the elbow surgery...
…then he ended the season with the stress fracture in his foot. Bad year for the team doctors. He actually seemed to have it together at the start of this season, but he just never got it back after that first DL trip from when the beanball hit him on the hands. One more reason to hate the Fillies…
"If somebody hasn't seen me, I try to leave a good impression on their mind, so they come back to enjoy this beautiful game of baseball." --Tony Plush
Dude please look at these numbers, he was garbage in Cincy (just like he is in DC) and you just proved it. When we traded for him he was in LOUISVILLE, Cincy had given up on him and shipped there junk down the DC pipeline.
Also, how does his familarity with the area increase production on the baseball field? He’s been in DC for 4 years and I’m sure he’s pretty familar with the area but he still sucks.
I do not think mid to upper 4 slugging percentages with a league average on base skills qualify as garbage
Particularly when they player is one of the top 5 defensive Rfs in the game (top 3 some seasons). Hardly garbage.2004 was weak but with his glove he was still a very valuable RF that season. Far better than a replacement player. The Pirates and Royals would love to get that kind of production out of anyone right now.
"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James
It's possible
With all the revelations about the use of steroids and other illegal performance-enhancing substances over the years, it’s always a possibility. In Alex Rodriguez’s not-so-eloquent words, “it was a loosey-goosey time.”
-------------------------------------------------
Washington, first in war, first in peace, last in the NL East :(
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
GAMETHREAD SPONSOR
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
