Releasing veterans after a limited number of at-bats seems to be the new black in baseball. The Padres cut Jim Edmonds loose this afternoon after just 101 plate appearances and ate the $4.75 million or so remaining on his contract. The move mimics the one made by Toronto when they parted ways with Frank Thomas. Like Thomas, Edmonds wasn't producing up to his established level. A .178 average and 498 OPS is about as ugly as things get and, when you toss in the step Edmonds lost in center, he was hurting the team more than he was helping it. That said, what did the Padres expect? Unlike Thomas, Edmonds has been breaking down physically for years and was more than two years removed from his last healthy and productive season.
He'll be replaced by Jody Gerut and Scott Hairston but all seems lost for the Padres this season. Their lineup is lacking at every non-Adrian Gonzalez spot and Arizona and it seems that a housecleaning is in order down San Diego way.
As for Edmonds, he may get another look if a team finds itself shy an outfielder. He should probably think about hanging 'em up, though. His defensive decline is the most telling sign that he's given all he could in an excellent career.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. It's a sad day, watching Edmonds get cut by the Padres. Edmonds was one of the few baseball players I admired, and his athletic prowess in center field was only matched by a handful of players. I hope someone picks him up and gives him another chance.
Posted at 10:58PM on May 9th 2008 by teammlr1
2. ring.......ring......
"Hello"
"Hello Jim" ........"this is Brian Cashman"
Posted at 11:40AM on May 10th 2008 by john