Blake Swihart

[moonslav59]

Correct

 

Then, we should have just released him.

[harmony]

For Sale? Absolutely not. His best numbers were with AJ Pierzinski. He has thrown most to Tyler Flowers (who?) AJ was a terrible catcher. Flowers wasnt much better.

By some metrics, Tyler Flowers was an elite defensive catcher last year:

 

https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/sortable/index.php?cid=1899425

[jad]

Then, we should have just released him.

 

I believe any player to be released must first be passed through waivers.

[moonslav59]

I believe any player to be released must first be passed through waivers.

 

I guess I'm still confused.

 

Is there a way we could have gotten out from under the $2.4M deal, if nobody claims him or not?

[vegasbob]

Meanwhile on the playing field today, Swihart threw out Ben Zobrist trying to steal 2B and in a later inning 3B.

 

Has anyone seen a quote or other comment attributed to Leon or any of the pitchers since the move on Leon ?

 

Based on the available information , it looks like there is a good chance Sandy Leon would clear waivers and could then accept the minor league assignment to preserve his guaranteed money , as Alan Craig did a couple years back. Since the Red Sox are on the hook for his salary anyway, this may work out to the club's advantage by having Leon in the system but not taking a 40 man roster spot. And available in case of injury or failure to perform by the other two guys. It would seem that the same circumstances would have applied to Swihart , except the money owed was less.

Edited March 26, 2019 by vegasbob

[Emp9]

Meanwhile on the playing field today, Swihart threw out Ben Zobrist trying to steal 2B and in a later inning 3B.

 

I saw that. Good stuff!

[Bellhorn04]

Based on the available information , it looks like there is a good chance Sandy Leon would clear waivers and could then accept the minor league assignment to preserve his guaranteed money , as Alan Craig did a couple years back. Since the Red Sox are on the hook for his salary anyway, this may work out to the club's advantage by having Leon in the system but not taking a 40 man roster spot. And available in case of injury or failure to perform by the other two guys. It would seem that the same circumstances would have applied to Swihart , except the money owed was less.

 

Yes, it seems simple enough. If Leon clears waivers, he either accepts the assignment to Pawtucket and collects his full salary, or he declines and it and becomes a free agent.

[moonslav59]

Meanwhile on the playing field today, Swihart threw out Ben Zobrist trying to steal 2B and in a later inning 3B.

 

Has anyone seen a quote or other comment attributed to Leon or any of the pitchers since the move on Leon ?

 

Based on the available information , it looks like there is a good chance Sandy Leon would clear waivers and could then accept the minor league assignment to preserve his guaranteed money , as Alan Craig did a couple years back. Since the Red Sox are on the hook for his salary anyway, this may work out to the club's advantage by having Leon in the system but not taking a 40 man roster spot. And available in case of injury or failure to perform by the other two guys. It would seem that the same circumstances would have applied to Swihart , except the money owed was less.

 

I think they changed the rule based on what happened to Castillo.

[harmony]

The Seattle Mariners should target Sandy Leon, according to this FanSided column I missed four days ago (before his waiver):

 

https://sodomojo.com/2019/03/22/mariners-pursue-spring-trade-target/

[Slasher9]

Then, we should have just released him.

 

why? we would still owe him the $2.4.

[Slasher9]

I guess I'm still confused.

 

Is there a way we could have gotten out from under the $2.4M deal, if nobody claims him or not?

 

nope. once the contract was signed by both parties the only way out is if he did something to violate the terms. perhaps PED or wife beating.

[harmony]

nope. once the contract was signed by both parties the only way out is if he did something to violate the terms. perhaps PED or wife beating.

My understanding is that, under the MLB CBA, if Sandy Leon clears waivers and refuses an assignment to the minors, he forfeits the $2.4 million (minus what he would be paid if he were simply released from his arbitration contract before the end of Spring Training).

[Slasher9]

My understanding is that, under the MLB CBA, if Sandy Leon clears waivers and refuses an assignment to the minors, he forfeits the $2.4 million (minus what he would be paid if he were simply released from his arbitration contract before the end of Spring Training).

 

correct, but this aint happening. but how are we going to get him to refuse? horsehead in bed?

[notin]

correct, but this aint happening. but how are we going to get him to refuse? horsehead in bed?

 

If he thinks he can get a better opportunity, he’ll refuse a minor league assignment...

[mvp 78]

@EvanDrellich

 

Sandy Leon has cleared waivers. No team claimed him.

[harmony]

@EvanDrellich

 

Sandy Leon has cleared waivers. No team claimed him.

[Slasher9]

If he thinks he can get a better opportunity, he’ll refuse a minor league assignment...

 

at league minimum?

or do you go ride a bus for $2.4MM?

[mvp 78]

@OverTheMonster

 

Sandy León clears waivers, accepts assignment to Pawtucket

[mvp 78]

@alexspeier

 

Worth clarifying: Post-Rusney Rule (the 2017-21 CBA closing of the loophole that allowed outrighted players *not* to count towards luxury tax payroll), Leon’s salary *will* remain part of Sox payroll as calculated for luxury tax, even while he’s in the minors.

[notin]

@OverTheMonster

 

Sandy León clears waivers, accepts assignment to Pawtucket

 

 

I guess the Mariners weren’t as interested as harmony hoped...

[moonslav59]

Makes you think that when they offered him the $2.4M, they either expected him to make the 25 man roster, or they thought $2.4M was worth having at AAA as a catching insurance policy.

 

Or, maybe Swihart's "improvement" surprised management and forced a change of plans.

 

I'm glad we have Leon as insurance, but as much as I like having him on the team, I think that $2.4M could be better used at the deadline on a pro-rated contract. In a sense, $2.4M can get a $7M pro-rated contract on July 31st.

[harmony]

Makes you think that when they offered him the $2.4M, they either expected him to make the 25 man roster, or they thought $2.4M was worth having at AAA as a catching insurance policy.

 

Or, maybe Swihart's "improvement" surprised management and forced a change of plans.

 

I'm glad we have Leon as insurance, but as much as I like having him on the team, I think that $2.4M could be better used at the deadline on a pro-rated contract. In a sense, $2.4M can get a $7M pro-rated contract on July 31st.

Perhaps Sandy Leon remains a trade candidate (although the 29 teams that passed on Leon for free are unlikely to surrender talent or money in a trade). The Red Sox might need to add a second piece to a trade.

 

Or not.

[harmony]

According to a 2:09 pm EDT tweet from Boston Globe beat reporter Pete Abraham, Sandy Leon has yet to accept an assignment to Pawtucket:

 

[mvp 78]

Perhaps Sandy Leon remains a trade candidate (although the 29 teams that passed on Leon for free are unlikely to surrender talent or money in a trade). The Red Sox might need to add a second piece to a trade.

 

Or not.

 

Or keeps Blake around long enough for another team to want to deal for him?

[Slasher9]

 

Or, maybe Swihart's "improvement" surprised management and forced a change of plans.

 

.

 

this is what i have been saying. it's the only reasonable answer....

[mvp 78]

@SPChrisHatfield

 

OK, I worked this all out, in my head at least (h/t to @PeteAbe for assistance). Leon can elect to become a free agent if outrighted b/c he has 3 years of service time and because he's been outrighted before. If outrighted, his money will still count against the CBT. But... (1/2)

 

... Because Leon does not have 5 years of service time (barely, he's 23 days short) he cannot just refuse to be sent to the minors, which would have required the Red Sox to release him and pay him termination pay. So he won't get his salary if he elects to become a free agent.

[notin]

Perhaps Sandy Leon remains a trade candidate (although the 29 teams that passed on Leon for free are unlikely to surrender talent or money in a trade). The Red Sox might need to add a second piece to a trade.

 

Or not.

 

Unless a team has a contract they prefer to move in order to get Leon...

[Jack Flap]

I guess I'm still confused.

 

Is there a way we could have gotten out from under the $2.4M deal, if nobody claims him or not?

 

 

I found this... (I'm learning or re-learning a lot about the waiver processes the last day or two )

 

The Red Sox could have placed Leon on unconditional release waivers, which would have prevented his contract from counting towards the CBT because it’s a non-guaranteed contract until Opening Day.

 

They instead placed him on outright waivers.

 

Unconditionally releasing Leon would have given the Red Sox $2.475 million more in CBT flexibility this regular season as they look to avoid the third threshold. But the Red Sox obviously feel keeping Leon as depth in the organization is more important.

 

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2019/03/sandy-leons-2475m-boston-red-sox-salary-to-count-towards-cbt-if-he-accepts-outright-to-pawtucket-despite-non-guaranteed-contract.html

[Jack Flap]

Kind of surprising, with all of the concerns about going over the third tax level, that they're going to eat the $2.5 million when they did not have to (assuming the above is correct)...that could be money for a July trade acquisition.

[Hitch]

Annoying to have the $2.5 sitting in the minors, but if he accepts the assignment it's the best possible out come for us I believe. See how the catching goes with Vaz and Swilhart, if it doesn't woork out we've got a guy everyone loves throwing to, ready and waiting. Great cover for any injuries, too.