Danys Baez Released as Phillies Continue to Move Forward
By: Mike Reisman
Yesterday at exactly 4:00 PM eastern standard time, the MLB ended team's ability to make non-waiver trades. However, just because the trade deadline had come and go, didn't mean that they would stop their effort to move players around in order to create a more perfect, championship ready team. They would move froward today by moving backwards, releasing relief pitcher Danys Baez, who was sent down to triple-A Lehigh Valley about a week ago, and he hasn't pitched since.
Baez' stay in Philadelphia was a less than ideal one, posting two of the worst ERAs in his career, averaging out to 5.81 over the two seasons. He also collected a pitiful of 5-8, making it nearly impossible to believe that he was once an All-Star. Not even sabermetrics could salvage Baez time in Philly, as he combined for a WAR of -1.5, meaning any average player in triple-A could have been substantially better.
Baez had one shining moment in Philadelphia, throwing five one-hit innings during the Phillies 19 inning epic with the Cincinatti Reds, however, even in that game he was overshadowed by Wilson Valdez who got the win for his perfect 19th inning.
This move by the Phillies, though very predictable, shows that the front office is willing to cut ties with whoever they have to in order to better the team. Charlie Manuel had made it a point that he liked Baez, and multiple times said he was going nowhere. However, with the new "this year or bust" mentality, it seems all bets are off. For now, all that matters is winning.