Mariners Insider - Vidro is gone ... Wlad back up

Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

Posted by Ryan Divish @ 03:24:32 pm

Another big roster move for the Mariners today as they just sent out a release saying Jose Vidro has been designated for assignment by general manager Lee Pelekoudas. He will be replaced on the 25-man roster by Wladimir Balentien, who has been called up and is available to play tonight.

Seattle now has 10 days to trade, release, option or assign Vidro outright to the minors.

"We appreciate all of Jose's hard work and professionalism," Pelekoudas said in the release. "We wanted to have every opportunity to try and trade him. Even though that opportunity may still exist, now that we've passed the July 31 deadline it was important for us to continue our transition into a club that is looking towards the 2009 season, even as we try to win as many games as possible this season."

This will be Balentien's second stint with the Mariners this season. He batted .196 (21x107) with 4 doubles and 4 home runs in 32 games from April 30-June 16. In 44 games after being optioned back to AAA Tacoma, Balentien batted .270 (46x170) with 12 home runs and 35 RBI. He leaves Tacoma with a current 8-game hitting streak (.333/11x33, 3 HR), including a solo home run last night.

Vidro, 33 (turns 34 Aug. 27), was batting .234 (72x308) with 11 doubles, 7 home runs and 45 RBI in 85 games. Acquired prior to the 2007 season from Washington, Vidro combined to hit .285 (244x856) with 13 home runs and 104 RBI in 232 games as a Mariner.

Categories: General • 5 comments

COMMENTS:

Comment by Slurvey @ 15:34 - Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

BEST DAY EVER!

Comment by wabubba68 @ 15:34 - Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

About time! Now please make another obvious move:

Bring back Tug Hulett to take Bloomquist's at-bats. WB is going to a National League team in the off season and we don't owe him any more ABs for a non-contending team. Hulett could be a nice utility infielder...let's give him the final two months to get used to the Major Leagues.

Either trade Bloomquist (DFAing him would be too harsh) or DFA/trade Burke (nice guy, good backup, but too old and not a part of the future).

Comment by docpepsi @ 21:42 - Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

Getting rid of Bloomquist is not a smart move. As far as Burke, I love the guy, but we already have two catchers who both want to be everyday catchers. I know they want Clement to be the catcher of the future, and they wont trade him. I'm not sure why they extended Johjima, especially if there's truth to pitchers not liking to pitch to him. If they could trade him then Burke would be the perfect backup catcher. But with Johjimas contract I think they are stuck with him, and will just have to have some sort of catching/DH platoon going with those 2 guys. Either that or make Joh play first, but they may have that position taken now with LaHair. Of course there's always that wild-card, Mike Morse, who could come back next season as a first basemen. Then again, Betancourt has struggled alot, maybe Morse retakes shortstop. Or if they trade Beltre maybe Morse plays third.

Comment by moo @ 22:36 - Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

Yay!! This is truly a banner day in M's history!

I agree Hulett needs a 2 month look with the M's.
They need to choose between Bloomquist, Cairo (or neither) for next season NOW. If they want Willie back, they may have to extend him before the end of the season.

I'm not suggesting going either way; but as it sites right now, the 2009 M's are going to have a logjam of fair-mediocre & unproven infielders.

The ONLY one that looks like a 100% keeper is Lopez; & that's assuming his D gets a little more consistant.

Comment by bigmike04 @ 00:47 - Wednesday, August 6th, 2008

who will get vidro spot on 40 man roster if balentien got it for 25 man as he already is on 40 man roster. I just want Diaz up as he clearly deserve it.

Now ryan if Balentien on 25 but also 40 does that mean their extra spot and if so who will get it?

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Mariners Insider

You will find news, observations, anecdotes, analysis and photographs on this blog. The purpose is to keep readers informed, but also give them a feel for the team and its players, and a place to go to read about baseball.

Contributors:

Ryan Divish has been with The News Tribune since 2006, covering the Tacoma Rainiers and high school sports. Divish played baseball at Dickinson State University and also earned a journalism degree from the University of Montana.
E-mail Ryan.

Larry LaRue has covered the Seattle Mariners and Major League Baseball for The News Tribune since 1988. E-mail Larry.