The Nationals released pitchers Shawn Estes and Eddie Guardado, reports MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
The Nats had signed Estes, 37, to a $600K minor league deal on February 6th. Estes tossed one spring inning for the Nats. In June, Estes said he'd retired from Triple A but not from baseball. He posted a 3.07 ERA, 4.9 K/9, and 3.3 BB/9 in 73.3 minor league innings for the Dodgers' affiliate.
The Nationals added Guardado in late December. The 39-year-old had considered retirement, but decided his knee could handle the rigors of another season. Guardado had this to say to Ladson after he signed: "The Nationals came at me like they really wanted me." Instead, Everyday Eddie was given only two innings to prove his worth (during which he allowed seven hits). Last year for the Rangers he posted a 4.46 ERA, 4.7 K/9, and 3.5 BB/9 in 38.3 innings. Guardado rejoins a list of free agent lefty relievers that includes Joe Beimel, Alan Embree, Ron Mahay, Glendon Rusch, and Jamie Walker.
If you are a pitcher released by the Nationals you better start thinking about a new career.
I like Beimel’s style. Why go to spring training when I can sign afterward and avoid the hassle? This approach is used a lot more in the NFL, where guys hold out only to re-sign right before the last preseason game. Beimel will land on a team whose lefty reliever gets hurt or stinks it up in spring training.
Guardado is done. And Estes was done awhile ago.
I doubt he is just sitting around. Players go to spring training for a reason. He is probably working out every day to stay in shape and be ready to pitch.
I could see the Twins inviting Guardado to camp. Though I doubt he’d be around for every long.
I was @ the game the other day when Eddie threw 2 innings and he got hammered. His best fastball was like 82-83. He threw some good hooks but he also got hit pretty hard by the minor leaguers for the Marlins. I think he is kind of washed up or maybe…just maybe you could use him for 1-2 lefties and then get him out of there. He did make some lefty hitters look uncomfortable. The Nats have some other options and really need to keep a young arm in the pen rather than a declining 39 year old or who may end up on the disabled list anyway.
Throwing with your left hand is surely the best trick for extending your AAA/MLB fringe career 4 or 5 years past the point of uselessness.
See guys, this is why it isn’t a big deal when it is announced guys like Estes and Guardado are signed to minor league deals. Estes I’m not surprised about, even if he did extreme training in AZ with Russ Martin and Eric Gagne, but Guardado I thought they had bigger plans for. Oh well, I guess he’s done.