Thatcher’s cranky arm may be Russell’s good break.
Adam Russell
He pitched in 10 games this spring, throwing 9 1/3 innings and allowing only 1 run to cross the plate for a sterling 0.96 ERA. Usually that would be more than enough to seal up a spot on a team’s bullpen coming out of spring, but it might not be enough for Adam Russell of the Padres this time.
It has nothing to do with his stuff, his performance, his attitude, or his salary. The Padres like him, and value him since he was one of the pieces they received in exchange for their former Cy Young winner Jake Peavy.
In this case it simply comes down to the numbers game, and the fact that he still has an option for the club to play with. The numbers work like this: The Padres appear to be starting the season with 5 starting pitchers (Garland, Young, Correia, Richard and Latos). That leaves 7 bullpen spots. Bell, Adams, Gregerson, and Thatcher as the lone lefty would be locks, with Russell, Mujica, Gallagher, and Stauffer battling for the final 3 spots. With Mujica, Gallagher and Stauffer all out of options, and pitching good enough to warrant keeping them around, the team finds itself in not so unusual situation of sending down a guy who may be throwing the best of the candidates, in order to keep depth at the position. (For further clarification on player options, and how they work please visit previous post “players options“) It’s simply stocking up your inventory, and moving the guy who is movable.
Fortunately for Russell, the cranky arm of Thatcher may put the lefty on the DL, thus opening up a spot for him. Sometimes a little thing like that can make the difference between a year in the minors or a year of major league service time, experience and salary. If Russell gets off to a hot start, when Thatcher is ready to return maybe a different decision is made on whom to keep. It’s amazing how careers can be made or missed simply for reasons other than performance.
Now there is always the chance that the Padres could scan the waiver wire in the next few days and grab a left handed reliever to fill that hole while Thatcher is down, and Russell could still find himself unfairly sent out. Thus is the life of a professional player, especially early in their career when options are still available to be played like a wild card to trump your performance. The only counter move is to keep playing great baseball, because eventually that is always a winning hand.
Scan
March 29th, 2010 | Written by Bob Scanlan
2011…
I couldn’t resist commenting…
You should check this out…
I saw this really great post today….
Nice site…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]…
Check this out…
Here are some of the sites we recommend for our visitors…
greenpeace wall calendar 2012…
[...]council personnel at Lennox’s last charm listening to back again in September. [...]…
sopa and pipa act…
[...]last Oct and maintained her unbeaten file [...]…
Awesome website…
[...]the time to check or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[...]…
Websites you should visit…
[...]below you’ll find the link to some sites that we think you should visit[...]……
Wow!…
A very spectacular post….
Nice site…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]…
Reall nice blog…
[...]just below, are some totally unrelated sites to ours, however, they are definitely worth checking out[...]…
sopa passed senate…
[...]I wouldn’t be capable to pursue all of these various targets whilst at the same time dedicating the energy [...]…
soap news and scoops…
[...]have one of every single pair” or even “I feel not at present getting my mouth location guard, I am specific that our canine [...]…
sopa legislation vote…
[...]the basis for a great deal of practices regardless of whether on your own or like [...]…
very nice site…
[...]Some really nice stuff on this web site, I enjoy it[...]…
…[Trackback]…
More info…
Links…
[...]Sites of interest we have a link to[...]……
Visitor recommendations…
[...]one of our visitors recently recommended the following website[...]……
…[Trackback]…
New and improved article…
Read was interesting, stay in touch……
[...]please visit the sites we follow, including this one, as it represents our picks from the web[...]……
Sites we Like……
[...] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose [...]……
Great website…
[...]we like to honor many other internet sites on the web, even if they aren’t linked to us, by linking to them. Under are some webpages worth checking out[...]……
Sources…
[...]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[...]……
You should check this out…
[...] Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nevertheless really worth taking a look, whoa did one learn about Mid East has got more problerms as well [...]……
Websites worth visiting…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]……
Online Article……
[...]The information mentioned in the article are some of the best available [...]……
Cool sites…
[...]we came across a cool site that you might enjoy. Take a look if you want[...]……
Sources…
[...]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[...]……
You should check this out…
[...] Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nevertheless really worth taking a look, whoa did one learn about Mid East has got more problerms as well [...]……
Sources…
[...]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[...]……
Gems form the internet…
[...]very few websites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out[...]……
Related……
[...]just beneath, are numerous totally not related sites to ours, however, they are surely worth going over[...]……
Blogs ou should be reading…
[...]Here is a Great Blog You Might Find Interesting that we Encourage You[...]……
Cool sites…
[...]we came across a cool site that you might enjoy. Take a look if you want[...]……
Online Article……
[...]The information mentioned in the article are some of the best available [...]……
Websites worth visiting…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]……
Online Article……
[...]The information mentioned in the article are some of the best available [...]……
Websites you should visit…
[...]below you’ll find the link to some sites that we think you should visit[...]……
Websites worth visiting…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]……
Gems form the internet…
[...]very few websites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out[...]……
sopa bill…
[...]his family members and hundreds of countless numbers of worldwide supporters, campaigners and celebs wait patiently [...]…
Superb website…
[...]always a big fan of linking to bloggers that I love but don’t get a lot of link love from[...]……
Visitor recommendations…
[...]one of our visitors recently recommended the following website[...]……
Websites worth visiting…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]……
…[Trackback]…
New and improved article…
Superb website…
[...]always a big fan of linking to bloggers that I love but don’t get a lot of link love from[...]……
Blogs ou should be reading…
[...]Here is a Great Blog You Might Find Interesting that we Encourage You[...]……
Websites worth visiting…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]……
Blogs ou should be reading…
[...]Here is a Great Blog You Might Find Interesting that we Encourage You[...]……
Websites worth visiting…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]……