Baseball in Fort Wayne

Posts Tagged ‘DFA’

I thought about simply tagging this onto the previous post on Matt Bush – but then I thought more about it and wanted to give it proper attention.

Remember back to 2004, when the Padres – amid much criticism – drafted the hometown boy Matt Bush with the number one overall pick? They passed up Steven Drew and JAred Weaver. They passed over many others hwo have already gone onto to play and produce at the Major League level.

The DFA that occured a couple days ago probably surprised many given the fact that the Padres had protected him in the recent Rule 5 Draft.

However, since being drafted, Bush has been arrested – three times, he’s failed to hit at even low-A ball (which I would think a top overall pick could do), and he’s converted to a pitcher in a last ditch effort to have a career. The next stop was Tommy John surgery and another season on San Diego’s dime. And now, just as opportunity starts to peak out over the horizon, Bush self destructs yeat again.

A witness, who requested his name not be used because of the ongoing police investigation, said Bush was drunk, threw a golf club into the dirt, picked up and threw a freshman lacrosse player and hit another one. Bush also yelled “I’m Matt (expletive) Bush,” and “(expletive) East County,” before driving over a curb in his Mercedes when leaving the campus, according to the witness [SignOnSanDiego].

You may also be interested in Police interview alleged victims, witnesses in Matt Bush case.

The bottom line is that there is a very real possibility that Matt Bush’s career might be over. One run-in at age 18 after becoming a millionaire might be chalked up to youthful immaturity. However, what we have here is a pattern of self destruction. I imagine the Padres have recognized this and even suspect they’ve tried to intervene to help mentor and nurture the million dollar baby.

Parting ways might now be the only choice and the best thing for Matt Bush. If he does catch on elsewhere, I surely hope the team that takes a chance on him have a plan to build this young man’s character as well as his talents. If he doesn’t catch on, I hope he gets the help he needs to continue life – albeit one that is filled with the regret of having wasted enormous talent.

Photo by Chad Gramling. Special thanks to a reader who brought the SignOnSanDeigo links to my attention.

LaTroy Hawkins was designated for assignment by the New York Yankees following the trade that brought in Xavier Nady from Pittsburgh. Hawkins signed a one-year, $3.75 million contract last winter and had hoped to resurrect his career in New York following a handfull of rather disappointing seasons. Now, his DFA status means the Yanks must trade, release or send him to the minors within ten days of the move. On the season, Hawkins was 1-1 with a 5.71 ERA in 33 games.

“I’m fine,” Hawkins said as he left Fenway before Saturday’s game. “I’m disappointed in the way I pitched. That’s about the only thing I’m disappointed in.”

But if there is a silver lining to the story, it’s that Hawkins may receive yet another chance to turn things around. Several teams throughout Major League Baseball are seeking middle relief help.

One of his former teams, the Minnesota Twins, are interested in bringing him back. He pitched with the Twins from 1995 to 2003 and had been one of the team’s many “homegrown” talents over the years; having risen through the ranks of the team’s farm system.

With the Twins, he was a reliable and sometimes dominant set-up man. Now, with Pat Neshek down, the Twins are looking for help bridging the starters to closer gap. Hawkins just might be the answer.

While multiple teams are said to have interest, one of his other former  teams, the Rockies, aren’t among them. Colorado’s GM, Dan O’Dowd said bringing Hawkins back is not in his current plans.

With the Wizards in their inaugural season of 1993, Hawkins put together what may be the best individual season performance in the team’s history. Hawkins still holds Wizards records in ERA (2.06), wins (15), complete games (4), shutouts (2), strikeouts in a season (179) and strikeouts in a game (15). Even more impressive is the fact that Hawkins accomplished these totals during the first Wizards season and they still stand more than a decade later.

Photo courtesy of the Fort Wayne Wizards