Reliever David Aardsma has cleared waivers and elected free agency, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney. Aardsma was certain to be non-tendered after undergoing Tommy John surgery in July, so this move lets him reach free agency earlier. The 29-year-old saved 69 games for Seattle from 2009-10 and makes for an interesting signing if he's option to a club option for 2013.
Aardsma told MLB.com's Greg Johns, "I loved my time in Seattle. I love the fans and thank Jack Zduriencik for giving me opportunity to have a job and become a closer. I want to thank all the fans in Seattle for their support. It’s not fun, but it’s part of the job and this is going to be next step. It doesn’t mean I won’t be back. This is one of those things we all knew was coming because of the situation. It doesn’t close anydoors, it just opens more."
Wherever he lands he’s going to shoot right to the top of the player index chart
He’s a good pitcher. I wouldn’t mind the M’s resigning him, but at minimum for next year, as he will be rehabbing for most of the season, and an incentive-based option for 2013.
I want Boston to snag him again
Yes, please come back to Boston!
Didn’t this guy hide an injury and then have surgery right after gettin that arbitration money? I think he scammed Seattle out of like 5 million.
Seattle’s a BEAUTIFUL city. Great ballpark, nice people… Thank you guys for welcoming the fans of Boston and the Red Sox (August 12-14).
Seattle’s a BEAUTIFUL city. Great ballpark, nice people… Thank you guys for welcoming the fans of Boston and the Red Sox (August 12-14).
No matter how many times you say it, they still can’t hear you.
You do know that most most true mariners fans hate Red Soxs “fans”?
Doesn’t everyone?
Depending on what the Padres and Heath Bell end up doing, Aardsma may be an interesting name for the Padres. Sign him to a 2 year deal and hope that Quakenbush can take over then.
Keep in mind that he will be out, most likely, until at least June/July because of Tommy John surgery, and it’s possible he won’t pitch at all.
Can you just go away? Seriously you contribute nothing except an extreme amount of irritation.
He was out for all of this year, its unlikely that he would miss all of next year from this surgery. If he misses all of next year it will be because of another injury.
You know what they say, don’t feed the animals, they just keep coming back.
He didn’t have Tommy John surgery until mid July.
Right. He’ll be a better bet for 2013. I expect he’ll pitch some in 2012 for the last month or two of the season, but that will be mostly rehab work to get back at full strength for 2013. It took Joe Nathan the first three or four months of this year to start regaining his command and strength and it’ll be the similar for Aardsma.