Red Sox DFA A.J. Pierzynski

[Palodios]

I'm surprised to see it happen, but the Red Sox just DFAed 9 million dollar man A.J. Pierzynski.

 

Apparently no one wanted him. I wonder how long it will take for the "bad character" claims to show up in Shaugnnesy's article.... tomorrow? Friday?

 

Does this mean they will be without a catcher for the game tonight with Rubby up?

[Station 13]

and so it begins.

 

Expecting vazquez now.

[Spudboy]

Butler is just a phone call away as well.

 

I'm surprised at this move. They eat 9 mil instead of just holding onto him and getting some service out of his contract.

 

It sure will be interesting to see whatever other moves they make now.

[Spudboy]

and so it begins.

 

Expecting vazquez now.

 

Farrell is quoted in the Globe as saying that Vasquez will start tonight.

 

I wonder who needs a catcher? It would seem to me that someone would pick up AJP.

 

Too bad the Sox couldn't get anything for him.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

I'm sort of surprised by this. Guess everyone is going to be gone soon enough.

[sk7326]

Butler is just a phone call away as well.

 

I'm surprised at this move. They eat 9 mil instead of just holding onto him and getting some service out of his contract.

 

It sure will be interesting to see whatever other moves they make now.

 

I am glad the Red Sox knew what the word "sunk cost" means. The money was eaten when the signature was put on the contract. If he is not worth a roster spot, why fake it? Vasquez was clearly the best option on the farm - a guy with his defensive skills can manage to add value even if he is not an improvement over AJ offensively. I doubt anybody was going to trade anything of value for AJ ... he will land somewhere, he is a useful backup.

 

The bad news is Boston burned 2-3 months wasting development reps on low-value veterans in key starting spots. The good news is they corrected both mistakes decisively. Trading Peavy is an obvious next move. Trading everybody in the pen, Uehara included - also has to be investigated, if we are going to midwife a real youth movement.

[gojohn99]

There could be many more moves coming. I also heard that Vazquez was called up. He can work with Ross the remainder of the season.

[a700hitter]

They may be starting to load up the truck.

[seabeachfred]

They may be starting to load up the truck.

 

As long as Drew is around the truck will not be loaded for delivery. He is another sunk cost and should be DFA'd even if it results in Farrell being put on suicide watch.

[Northern Star]

Farrell says "we're not giving up on the season." We're giving up on the season.

 

Never liked AJ, never fully hated him either. Always exciting to see new blood coming through the system.

[jd98]

Strange move. I think he must have pissed off somebody. If he signs elsewhere, does he get paid from both Red Sox and his new team, or does it void the Red Sox contract?

[Northern Star]

A new team will sign him for league minimum and Red Sox owe the difference.

[jd98]

A new team will sign him for league minimum and Red Sox owe the difference.

 

Thanks. That makes sense. Neither of my options seemed right, now I know why.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Love this move. Love love love this move. Couldn't happen soon enough if you ask me.

 

Get that putz out of here and bring up the youth. Next up, Peavy and Drew.

[Thunder]

I love this battery tonight though. Rubby and Vazquez seem to have good chemistry from their PawSox days.

[BOSOX11]

AJP was a cancer in the clubhouse and needed to go.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I absolutely hated this signing from the get go, and I got crushed for expressing my displeasure with the move, saying I only hated it because I didn't like him on a personal level.

 

Seems like I wasn't the only one.

 

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/rob-bradford/2014/07/10/aj-pierzynski-problem-was-worse-anybody-could

 

According to multiple sources within the Red Sox clubhouse, Pierzynski had become such a negative influence on the team that players approached both the Sox coaches and front office to address the problem. The common theme expressed was the catcher's seeming indifference toward his teammates and the common goals of the same organization that had relied on an all-for-one approach when winning the 2013 World Series.

 

A microcosm of Pierzynski's approach was mentioned by more than one of the backstop's former teammates, who revealed his propensity to spend a significant amount of time looking at his phone while at his locker during games. In one instance, after a particularly rough outing in which the starting pitcher had been pulled early in the game, Pierzynski could be found staring at his phone while the pitcher gave off the appearance of being an emotional wreck just a few feet away. That incident paved the way to at least one complaint to management from a teammate.

 

Maybe when a player is voted the most hated player in the MLB, it's for a good reason.

[Palodios]

$26 million for 3 years of Carlos Ruiz doesn't seem so bad now that I think about it. His .360 OBP is sitting pretty in Philly, and no one hates him.

[Station 13]

Everybody knew AJ was a dick.

[jacksonianmarch]

I told you guys when he signed that he was bad news.

[sk7326]

$26 million for 3 years of Carlos Ruiz doesn't seem so bad now that I think about it. His .360 OBP is sitting pretty in Philly, and no one hates him.

 

League minimum for 1 year of Christian Vasquez sounded nice too

[Spitball]

I don't really remember anyone being particularly excited about the Pierzynski's signing. I believe there were many who were happy Saltalamachia wasn't coming back, but Pierzynski didn't cause any excitement.

[reYoukilis]

I was disappointed that Salty left, however I understood it as well as Pierzynskis hiring because it was about the prospects. I am glad though that Vasquez is up and now weve got a badass defense. Hope he does well at the plate but more than anything want good D and pitch calling.

[Wasatch]

I'm not sad to see him go.

[sk7326]

Question is whether Vasquez can hit at the big league level. The good news is his minor league history has enough contact that it seems unlikely he won't at least provide empty calories at the plate. Add that with defense, and you have a true starter and an all-star if he can hit like he did last night more regularly

[Mr Tibbs]

I was one of the vocal ones that disliked the signing of the asshat in the beginning. I can honestly say that I am not sad to see him go, I just wish it didn't cost the team so much.

[reYoukilis]

I was one of the vocal ones that disliked the signing of the asshat in the beginning. I can honestly say that I am not sad to see him go, I just wish it didn't cost the team so much.

I thought he was going to be the kind of guy you hate if hes on the other team but love him when hes on your team. What I didnt understand though is why they got him with his lack of patience at the plate.

[Behindenemylines]

Question is whether Vasquez can hit at the big league level. The good news is his minor league history has enough contact that it seems unlikely he won't at least provide empty calories at the plate. Add that with defense, and you have a true starter and an all-star if he can hit like he did last night more regularly

 

If the guy can hit .250 he will be a very serviceable big league catcher. The pitchers love throwing to him, and he has a canon for an arm. If he does well the next year and a half it will be interesting what the Sox do when Swihart is ready. That kid can hit. An the rest of his game is improving.