Seattle releases Bret Boone

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SEATTLE -- Bret Boone made a tearful exit from the Seattle Mariners, who cut the three-time All-Star on Sunday after a half-season of struggles at the plate.

<!--------------------------START PLAYER CARD------------------><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0 vspace="5" hspace="5"><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width=8>[size=-2][/size]</TD><TD width=200 bgColor=#ecece4><!---------------------HEADSHOT TABLE STARTS HERE---------------------><TABLE cellSpacing=6 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2>[size=-1]Bret Boone[/size]
[size=-2]Second Base
Seattle Mariners
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</TD><TD width=68></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!---------------------HEADSHOT TABLE ENDS HERE---------------------></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width=8>[size=-2][/size]</TD><TD width=200 bgColor=#ecece4><TABLE cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width=190 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top align=middle bgColor=#002175><TD colSpan=6><CENTER>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</CENTER></TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#bcbcb4><TD width="17%">[size=-2]GM[/size]</TD><TD width="17%">[size=-2]HR[/size]</TD><TD width="17%">[size=-2]RBI[/size]</TD><TD width="17%">[size=-2]R[/size]</TD><TD width="17%">[size=-2]OBP[/size]</TD><TD width="17%">[size=-2]AVG[/size]</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#bcbcb4><TD>[size=-2]74[/size]</TD><TD>[size=-2]7[/size]</TD><TD>[size=-2]34[/size]</TD><TD>[size=-2]30[/size]</TD><TD>[size=-2].299[/size]</TD><TD>[size=-2].231[/size]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!---------------------INLINE MINI-PLAYER CARD ENDS HERE--------------------->

The second baseman, a 12-year veteran with 252 homers, was designated for assignment. Seattle has 10 days to trade him or put him on waivers.

"It's tough. I was looking at it, and I think it's all for the better, really. I think it's time for me to go," Boone said, his voice breaking up. "It's still emotional. I'm actually excited about what the future holds but ... It's a pretty sad day for me."

Boone, 36, is hitting .231 with seven homers and 34 RBI. He was benched for four games two weeks ago to work on his swing with batting instructor Don Baylor. On his return, he played well during a three-game series in San Diego, but manager Mike Hargrove said Sunday that "he has reverted back to where he was before."

Seattle is responsible for the remainder of his $8.25 million salary this year. Boone talked to his teammates after the game and then spoke with reporters.

"There was no anger. It was kind of sad," Boone said. "Once it happened, I went home. I just wanted to collect myself and watch and think about what happened. I want to go get a fresh start somewhere. I want to win."

He added that he wants to go to a team where he'll be an everyday player.

Boone hit .331 in 2001 with 37 home runs and 141 RBI. He finished third in the AL MVP vote behind Oakland's Jason Giambi and the winner, teammate Ichiro Suzuki.

"I'm very disappointed on how I've played to this point," Boone said. "Sometimes change is good. It lights a spark and you get back to being more like yourself. It's just time."

General manager Bill Bavasi said the 10-day period to deal with Boone "was to put a deadline on ourselves as well as anyone who has interest in him."

"People mistake designating a player as a loss of leverage," Bavasi said. "You have to evaluate the leverage you had. A deadline applies some sort of leverage. I don't want to say we are hopeful of making a deal that significantly improves this club. Our goal right now is to make as fair a deal as we can make and find a place where he can play every day."

Bavasi said that he had talked to several clubs about potential trades involving Boone. He said he had the makings of a deal a week ago "but it didn't have legs."

"We had some decent discussions but as you know very little happens in baseball without a deadline," he said. "We felt a change was in order. We want to get better every day. We want to improve our club right now. It's as much as getting Jose Lopez on the club as it was to designate Bret Boone for assignment."

Bavasi said that Boone was "very, very professional" when told the news two hours before Sunday's 2-1 win over Texas. Boone's father, Bob, and grandfather, Ray, were both major-leaguers.

"He understands the business," Bavasi said. "That's not to say he was happy about it. He likes Seattle. He has had a lot of good times here. So it's difficult."

Shortstop Lopez and outfielder Chris Snelling were recalled from Triple-A Tacoma, and infielder Dave Hansen was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an inflamed elbow.

Lopez was hitting .264 with four home runs and 11 RBI for Tacoma. He had missed the first six weeks of the season after surgery to repair a broken bone in his left hand. While Boone was benched, Lopez played second for the Mariners and hit .250 with a pair of doubles and four RBI in six games. He was sent back to Tacoma after Boone returned to the starting role.
 

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WOW...that is unreal....how quickly your career can dry up of of steroids...and this Seattle organization has really fallen off the table since Pat Gillick left....

That 2001 season was a complete farce.
 

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The artifical stats these guys like Boone ,Giambi, Helton and Lowell and maybe even Jim Thome accumulated and the contracts they're being paid , what a disgrace!
 

And so it goes......
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roids, roids, roids...it was so obvious with this guy. now he's off of them look at how his production as declined dramatically the last two plus seasons.
 

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the 01 team is just about completely dismantled

who is left? just Ichiro?
 

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Journeyman said:
The artifical stats these guys like Boone ,Giambi, Helton and Lowell and maybe even Jim Thome accumulated and the contracts they're being paid , what a disgrace!

I would add Pudge Rodriguez, Rich Aurillia and maybe even Juan Gonzalez, Manny Ramirez (he sucks now), John Rocker and Albert Belle to that list...and of course don't forget Big Mac and the only "honest" guy to admit using them, Jose Canseco.
 

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ppeter said:
I would add Pudge Rodriguez, Rich Aurillia and maybe even Juan Gonzalez, Manny Ramirez (he sucks now), John Rocker and Albert Belle to that list...and of course don't forget Big Mac and the only "honest" guy to admit using them, Jose Canseco.

He does?

:think2: :think2: :think2:

On a 40 HR & 141 RBI pace thus far 80 games into the 2005 campaign.
 

Rx Wizard
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His BA is way, way off this year, even though he is getting more AB's than ever and has more protection than ever.
 

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This is the most obvious steroids situation there is of all of them.
 

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#1 in the league in RBIS
#2 in the league in Home Runs

But because he's batting around .280 rather than .300+...Manny sucks now?

:icon_conf:icon_conf:icon_conf
 

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ppeter has had a rough MLB season, he is ready for foots:103631605
awol256 said:
#1 in the league in RBIS
#2 in the league in Home Runs

But because he's batting around .280 rather than .300+...Manny sucks now?

:icon_conf:icon_conf:icon_conf
 

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Manny Ramirez (he sucks now),

Jesus H. Christ on a popcicle stick! You sound like that mental patient Tim McCarver.

Lets not forget he leads the league or at least did in outfield assist.

When all the roid boys are exposed to be frauds manny keeps on ticking.
 

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Patriot said:
Jesus H. Christ on a popcicle stick! You sound like that mental patient Tim McCarver.

Lets not forget he leads the league or at least did in outfield assist.

When all the roid boys are exposed to be frauds manny keeps on ticking.

Please tell me that you aren't one of those guys that looks at leading the league in assists as being a positive thing.
 

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<HR style="COLOR: #fdde82" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->This is the most obvious steroids situation there is of all of them.


HIS BROTHER MAY BE AN EVEN MORE OBVIOUS EXAMPLE.
 

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Please tell me that you aren't one of those guys that looks at leading the league in assists as being a positive thing.<!-- / message -->

You could make the argument that they run on him...but they don't run to far.
 

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Twins acquire second baseman Boone from Mariners

MINNEAPOLIS – Bret Boone wanted a chance to jump-start his career, and the Minnesota Twins found a proven veteran for their unproductive infield.
This should be a good fit for the second half of the season.

Boone, a three-time All-Star second baseman, was acquired by the Twins on Monday – eight days after being dumped by the Seattle Mariners.

"I'm not saying that Bret Boone is going to be a savior, but he might be a guy that can help," Minnesota general manager Terry Ryan said. "There's a lot at stake for him, obviously."

The Mariners had designated the 36-year-old Boone for assignment, which meant they had 10 days to trade him before he became a free agent. They will pay the balance of his $9.25 million salary, minus the prorated portion of the major league minimum salary (approximately half of $316,000) that the Twins will pick up. Minnesota is also on the hook for a player to be named.

"This is a high-reward, low-risk situation," Ryan said. "I don't think there's any downside."

Boone's career in Seattle peaked in 2001, when he finished third in the AL MVP vote and batted .331 with 118 runs, 37 homers and 141 RBIs for a club that won 116 games and lost in the league championship series to the New York Yankees. Though he won his fourth Gold Glove last season, Boone began to slump while the Mariners did, too. They went 63-99, their worst record since 1983.

This year, Seattle is 39-48 at the break – the third-worst mark in the AL – and 12½ games behind the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West. Boone was batting .231 with seven homers and 34 RBIs.

The Mariners' decision to get rid of him stung, bringing him to tears after finding out July 3. But with the Twins, Boone will see significant playing time and get to be part of a pennant race again.

"This was his first, second and third choice," said Adam Katz, Boone's agent. "Brett wanted to play on a team that was going to have a chance to go to the postseason."

Though the Twins are nine games behind the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central, they're currently leading the wild card race with a 48-38 record. Having won three straight division titles, Minnesota doesn't want to settle for that, which is why Ryan made a move.

"I think it's apparent that we need something to happen," he said. "We need to get going here. Just watching us score two and three runs a game, it's getting old."

Second base has been a particular problem for the Twins, with Luis Rivas, Nick Punto, Luis Rodriguez and Michael Cuddyer all getting starts there this season. Boone will likely become the everyday player, with Punto and Cuddyer probably fighting for time at third.

"I just hope it's good for him and he'll help us," Minnesota left-hander Johan Santana said at Comerica Park in Detroit, where he was preparing for Tuesday's All-Star game with teammate and closer Joe Nathan.

"Sounds awesome," Nathan said. "He's going to do nothing but help us, and hopefully he'll get back to his old form. Hopefully it'll be like the Shannon Stewart trade."

The Twins were 44-49 at the break in 2003, when they acquired Stewart from the Toronto Blue Jays and surged to the playoffs.

Boone, a 12-year veteran with 252 homers and a .266 average for his career, is with his fifth team. He'll join Minnesota on Thursday at the Metrodome for a four-game series against the Angels.

"Sometimes, guys get jump-started when they move and get a new beginning," Ryan said. "I hope that's the case with Bret."

Associated Press
 

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