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« Will Mets Release Delgado? | Main | New Videos: Mailbag, MLB Roundup »
Pirates Release Matt Morris
Unfortunately, there's no surprise here. ESPN reports the Pirates have released Matt Morris. As Tim noted last night, the Pirates had little choice and eating $10MM seems their best option. According to ESPN,
"The decision to cut Morris will cost the Pirates more than $10 million, in addition to what they already have paid him this season. Morris is making $10,037,283 this season, or about one-fifth of their payroll, and has a $1 million buyout for 2009."
There shouldn't be much interest for Morris. A minor league contract somewhere could be a possibility. But retirement seems inevitable, and Morris may be resigned to the fact:
"I've always said the other team will let you know when you're done."
Phil Dumatrait will replace him in the rotation, and John Van Benschoten will be called up to fill the roster spot.
By Nat Boyle
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Enjoy the cash, Matt.
Posted by: Stephen Peele | April 27, 2008 at 12:53 PM
I tell ya, I have such a hard time believing this is the best option for a team. Like the Thomas situation, why is this the best move? I mean the Pirates may think they have a shot but they really don't. They are already on the hook for most of his contract, I just don't see why you wouldn't leave him out there and at least make him play for the cash. Of course they should have never made the deal anyhow but Hunington couldn't change that.
Posted by: jfish26101 | April 27, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Wonder if the Yankees would be desperate enough to get him to eat some innings.
Posted by: icedrake523 | April 27, 2008 at 02:22 PM
I seriously doubt Matt Morris could survive in the AL East. If the Yankees need innings they'll trade for someone who can do it at least adequately, not someone who will completely bomb.
And I think that this release is slightly premature. Morris was still capable of a high 4's ERA if they let him stick around. Obviously they can probably get better production from other youngsters, but that doesn't necessarily mean they should eat the $10M right now.
Posted by: scribbletone | April 27, 2008 at 02:33 PM
First one to say it-
The New York Times is reporting that Jorge Posada has a tear in his subscapularis muscle in his right shoulder that requires major surgery meaning his season would likely be over
Posted by: hawkeyes12990 | April 27, 2008 at 03:08 PM
First one to say it-
The New York Times is reporting that Jorge Posada has a tear in his subscapularis muscle in his right shoulder that requires major surgery meaning his season would likely be over
Posted by: hawkeyes12990 | April 27, 2008 at 03:09 PM
To me this is a lot like the Gibbons move.
The only upside to cutting the player is that you create space on your roster for someone more deserving. Do the Bucs really have people chomping at the bit ready to make a splash in the bigs?
Why not carry the guy? Use him in games where it just doesn't matter (which will be most games for the Pirates). If he pitches bad oh well. He probably is still better than whoever would replace him. If he improves then maybe you can get something for the guy. It was only a year ago that he crafted a mid 3's ERA for half a season. If he can repeat that performance then certainly another stupid team would consider taking him on. You won't be able to move his entire salary but you could shave a few million off possibly.
Posted by: bjsguess | April 27, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Morris is done. The Matt Morris that had such high promise, say, 6-8 years ago has been eroded away by injuries. He's gotten 1 or two big MLB contracts out of it along the way, but, he just hasn't been able to come back from the most recent injury. He was getting pounded, lost a lot of break on the breaking ball, and was barely scratching 85 mph at max effort. The writing has been on the wall for a while this year.
Posted by: basemonkey | April 27, 2008 at 06:12 PM
Honestly, I think every team has better minor league C prospect pitchers they can call up to do mop-up work that is more likely to do better work than Morris right now. Morris at his peak when healthy was a pretty good pitcher. Unfortunately he never sustained that longterm, and, never for more than stretches here and there. Good luck to you Matt.
Posted by: basemonkey | April 27, 2008 at 06:17 PM
yeah its a matter of playing some younger guys to see if they are worth anything or not. finding out that information is valuable for the future, more so than letting morris stink it up.
Posted by: Guitar Hero | April 27, 2008 at 06:23 PM
As one of the few remaining Pirate fans, I had the displeasure of watching Morris pitch several times this season. There is absolutely nothing left in his arm. He's done, toast, out to pasture. He can't help any team right now. The man is throwing 82. His breaking pitches have nothing on them, which is why he got torched last night. Worst of all, he knows he's done. His comments in the Post-Gazette today were that of someone with a broken spirit. He's given up, and while I hate to see the Pirates waste all that money (which means Bob Nutting may have to buy one less boat/house/car this year, since he pockets most of the profits), they had no option but to release him.
And who knows, maybe this is the year John Van Benschoten is healthy and ready to take a rotation spot ... ok, probably not, but they should at least give him a shot, because with Morris, they had zero chance of winning whenever he was on the mound.
Add this to Maholm's great outing, the Pens beating the Rangers again, and a solid Steeler draft, and it's a good day in the Burgh. (or so says the guy living 500 feet from the Pacific Ocean)
Posted by: CJax33 | April 27, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Sabean is one of the worst GMs out there right now but dumping morris was the best move he ever made.
Posted by: John Difford | April 27, 2008 at 09:09 PM
This was an awkward situation on both sides. It very well was a situation where both sides didn't want Morris to be pitching anymore, but both sides were contractually bound to it. Every team has a C prospect at AA or AAA who can probably outperform Morris at this point. The man was born with huge talent but unfortunately health has whittled it down to a nub.
Posted by: basemonkey | April 27, 2008 at 11:43 PM
All of the fans here who are suggesting that Morris is worth a flier. Usually such a thing might be the case, but, this one just ain't. The man can barely hit batting machine speed anymore. And that same batting machine probably has better break on the curve too.
Posted by: basemonkey | April 27, 2008 at 11:47 PM
"Sabean is one of the worst GMs out there right now but dumping morris was the best move he ever made."
Maybe you are trying to be obtuse. Having Barry Bonds under contract is the single greatest move any GM has ever made ever.
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | April 28, 2008 at 01:46 AM
Sabean had nothing to do with coaxing Bonds to play in SF other than having enough money to pay him. Any GM would have benefited on that one. That is where he has always wanted to play because of his family history.
Posted by: studio179 | April 28, 2008 at 07:57 AM
Maybe the pirates should trade for Zito to fill the morris void? ;)
Posted by: DocBot | April 28, 2008 at 10:08 AM
id still like to sign Morris to a minor league deal with the Red Sox...maybe he can find his stuff again? If not, a Morris-Colon duo will be deadly in AAA ball haha
Posted by: Soxfan017 | April 29, 2008 at 09:25 AM