Astros release Shane Reynolds

[Master Baiter]

I just got this email from astros.com

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Astros Release Shane Reynolds
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Astros General Manager Gerry Hunsicker announced on
Thursday that the club granted right-hander Shane Reynolds
his unconditional release. Reynolds, 35, played 11 seasons
for the Astros but was questionable this spring after
undergoing season-ending back surgery last June. He was
0-1 with 5.87 ERA this spring.

"This was a very difficult decision," Hunsicker said.
"But from what we saw this spring, with the options that
we had, the goal is to take the best team to Houston with the best chance to win. I just felt that we had better options."

For more information, go to astros.com >> http://lists.mlb.com/u/76146/528032


****************************************************************

[Master Baiter]

Here is the link

Astros release Reynolds (http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/hou/news/hou_news.jsp?ymd=20030327&content_id=244419&vkey=spt2003news&fext=.jsp)

03/27/2003 12:14 PM ET
Astros release Reynolds
Underwent back surgery last June
By Alyson Footer / MLB.com



Shane Reynolds was released on Thursday. (Alan Diaz/AP)



Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker announced on Thursday that the club granted right-hander Shane Reynolds his unconditional release.
Reynolds, 35, played 11 seasons for the Astros but was questionable this spring after undergoing season-ending back surgery last June.

"This was a very difficult decision," Hunsicker said. "But from what we saw this spring, with the options that we had, the goal is to take the best team to Houston with the best chance to win. I just felt that we had better options."

Reynolds was 0-1 with a 5.87 ERA in five spring appearances.


Tim Redding and Jeriome Robertson, who battled all spring for the fifth starter's position, will now both make the rotation. The Astros, who have 26 players remaining on the roster, will decide in the next two days whether to carry 11 or 12 pitchers. If they carry 12, right-hander Brandon Puffer will make the team. If they carry 11, Puffer will be optioned to Triple-A New Orleans.

Hunsicker added that the club is considering carrying three catchers, which would allow Raul Chavez to make the team.

Alyson Footer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[kidrock8]

WTF!?

I did not see that coming at all. Shane was one of my favorite Astros. Seems just like yesterday when he was an up and coming prospect.

[drapg]

Holy crap.

I had not heard a single rumor about this possibility.

I'm in shock.

[Stevierebel]

ESPN has this reported to. This is definitely not a joke. It is a really big shock.

Reynolds was 0-1 with a 5.87 ERA this spring

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press


KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Shane Reynolds was put on waivers Thursday by the Houston Astros, who decided to use young pitchers Tim Redding and Jeriome Robertson in their rotation.


Reynolds



Reynolds, who said he had fully recovered from a season-ending back operation last summer, had been effective at times during spring training despite an 0-1 record and 5.87 ERA. Throughout the exhibition season, the Astros had listed Reynolds as the team's No. 3 starter.


"This was a very difficult decision,'' Hunsicker said. "But from what we saw this spring, with the options that we had, the goal is to take the best team to Houston with the best chance to win. I just felt that we had better options.''


The right-handed Redding and left-handed Robertson ostensibly were competing for the final open spot in the Astros' rotation behind Roy Oswalt, Wade Miller and Brian Moehler. Both Redding and Robertson have pitched well this spring.


Reynolds' unconditional release reduced the Astros' roster to 26. Hunsicker said the Astros will decide in the next two days whether to take right-handed reliever Brandon Puffer or third-string catcher Raul Chavez to Houston when the team breaks camp.


The Astros must pay Reynolds the $1 million they owe him on the one-year contract he signed last December that was loaded with incentives he won't be around to reach.


Reynolds, who turned 35 Wednesday, had emergency surgery June 13 to repair a pinched nerve in his back. He went 3-6 with a 4.86 ERA in 13 starts before then.


Since his major league debut in 1992, Reynolds has pitched in 274 games, including 248 starts, with 103-86 record and 3.95 ERA. He ranks seventh in franchise history with his 103 wins and is fifth with 1,309 strikeouts.


The Bastrop, La., native and University of Texas product had spent his entire major league career in Houston.

[Mr. Mooch]

OH MY GOD!

That is truly the biggest shock I've heard lately.

They kept Brad Lidge and Jeriome Robertson and waived Reynolds?!!?!?!

Like said before: "WTF?!?!?!"

[spence99]

Definitely shocking, but I think it is a good move. Shane has been getting hurt every year, so you can't count on him being healthy all year. Plus, he definitely does not have the stuff he used to have. They said his fastball was clocking in at 82-85mph, that's not good at all. Plus, it gives a chance for our young guys to step up.

[Timing]

Hmm, I dunno about that. Redding had a great spring last year and stunk it up during the season.

[coma]

Oh, newsflash.

Shane Reynolds SUCKS.

[Another Brother]

Wasn't he the opening day started 2 seasons ago?

As Janet Jackson would say, "What have you done for me lately."

Shocker!

[bigtexxx]

If he was only hitting 82-85 mph with his fastball, that's just not going to get it done. Especially considering the close left field fence at MMP.

Redding has great stuff. Hopefully he can put it together this year and get his head on straight.

[pgabriel]

Redding's a headcase. He has arguably the best stuff on the staff. His curve is absolutely wicked.

[rrj_gamz]

I wish Shane the best, but this is the way the business works...

I saw Shane as a 5, but damn...It's tougth to over come a injury, but he did suck last year and in the Spring...

The only veteran is Moehler???...Does 2 yrs. in the bigs count as would be the case for Oswalt and Miller???

We'll do just fine, and as JH said, we needed to take the best team to Houston to win...

GLuck Shane...

[rocketfan83]

Wow what a surprise. Ive probaly seen Shane pitch in person more than anyother astro. What a ballplayer. Hope he finds another team that wants him.

[BALLhog 247 365]

thats totally ****ty...redding will never be as good as reynolds

[Behad]

Originally posted by BALLhog 247 365
thats totally ****ty...redding will never be as good as reynolds

His stuff is already better than Shane's by a long shot. It's justa matter of getting his head together. Shane, meanwhile has not had his body together in years.

[DaDakota]

This is FANTASTIC news and shows a true committment to winning.

Redding and Robertson are much better then Shane at this stage in his career.

He was good for the Stros, but he has simply lost it.

Too bad we can't do the same for Hidalgo so Lane can play.

DD

[RocketMan Tex]

Shane hasn't finished a season in 3 years. He hadn't fully recovered from last year's injury. At his age, making the money he does, if the Astros aren't using him on every one of his scheduled starts, economically they are almost forced to let him go.

[acejeff5]

wtf he is still good, damnit that pisses me off, we better get another good guy then , he was one of my favorites , even though he didnt do too much lately

[Timing]

Originally posted by DaDakota
This is FANTASTIC news and shows a true committment to winning.


We'll revisit this opinion at the All-Star break. ;)

[Major]

This is ridiculous - we already had a depth problem and now we release Reynolds? Why not keep one of the two young guys on the backburner for the inevitable injury that we'll face somewhere down the road?

It's better to have 3 bad pitchers than only 2.

[BobFinn*]

It is a shock but from all reports, Redding has been fantastic this spring and Robertson has been just as good. Reynolds would probably break down during the season anyway, so why not go with the younger pitchers, they are the future of this organization.

[Summer Song Giver]

good move

[Major]

It is a shock but from all reports, Redding has been fantastic this spring and Robertson has been just as good. Reynolds would probably break down during the season anyway, so why not go with the younger pitchers, they are the future of this organization.

That's fine if you only need 5 starting pitchers, but when's the last time this organization got through a season without any starting pitcher injuries?

[BobFinn*]

We did sign Bruce Chen, he could start if needed.

[Castor27]

Originally posted by BobFinn*
We did sign Bruce Chen, he could start if needed.
Yep and Munro could always spot start too.

CK

[deepellumrocket]

Originally posted by Castor27
Yep and Munro could always spot start too.

CK

So can Saarloos. And Jared Fernandez

This was a good move, in my opinion. Remember, we had 4 guys competing for the 5-spot in the rotation. It's not like we had a shortage of potential starters.

[UTweezer]

Originally posted by BALLhog 247 365
thats totally ****ty...redding will never be as good as reynolds

i'd have to disagree. As good as a person and a ballplayer Shane has been for us, Redding has more potential. Now lets hope he can get his head straight and use his talent.

[Rockets10]

perhaps it was good for baseball reasons, we'll just have to wait and see, but i feel bad for shane. he got screwed. he signed a completely incentive laden contract in the off-season b/c the astros said they were going to give him a chance to proove he was worthy of the big bucks. that contract was worth almost 6 million in incentives. now, of course, he gets none of that and will likely sign somewhere else for the minimum or something. he could have made a few million guaranteed if he signed somewhere else originally.

now the issue for me isn't that shane wont get some money eventually somewhere, it's how we treated him. the astros have generally been one of the few teams left that cared about loyalty, but we just screwed the guy this time. we promised him a chance, and then we dumped him at the last second. that pisses me off. :mad:

[Mr. Mooch]

Obvioulsy Reynolds can't handle much baseball right now, and maybe he can only give a couple of good innings.

Why not just keep him as a bench player or stick him in the bullpen, which isn't that solid either.

He has veteran experience, but I am shocked for the sole reason that he could've help the youngsters out like with Ausmus. Ausmus can't hit worth sh!te, but he's got great defensive skills.

Reynolds could still have given something to this team. I think there has to be more to this story than just releasing him.

[WoodlandsBoy]

I smell a trade comming. I hope we don't plan on going with Redding and Robertson. Any way Munroe is my pick to 4th starter.

[xiki]

This cuts payroll with R & R getting bupkis and earning same?

I had hoped Shane R would be better for having been physically rebionicked.

Where to Shane, where to 'stros?

[Fegwu]

Originally posted by Another Brother
Wasn't he the opening day started 2 seasons ago?

As Janet Jackson would say, "What have you done for me lately."

Shocker!



I believe our opening day starter 2 years ago was Scott Elarton. I could be wrong though.

Shocking! is the right word to convey my sentiment on this news. I have always liked Mr Reynolds - he has been a horse for this franchise. Hardworking and reliable untill he started having his recent injury bouts.

I wish Shane Reynolds all the best in whatever he chooses to do in the future.

Talking about Tim Redding and Kirk Saaloos, I have not been very impressed with them. Maybe this is their opportunity to show their worth all over again. Remember the young Phenom, Carlos Henandez, will be back next season (hopefully). We have aboundant arms but only 2 true gems. I wish JRobertson and Redding can become gems also real soon.

[Drewdog]

I was definitely surprised by this move. I thought Shane would have given us some solid veteran leadership and he still is a handy starter. I dont know anything about the surgery he went through, and I didnt follow spring training close at all. I guess he must have shown some serious signs that he a) hasnt recovered or b) simply doesnt have it this year to compete.

I wish him luck.... I always liked SR.

[Raven Lunatic]

Perhaps Jimy/Gerry decided they liked Shane and wanted to start him off at AAA to give the young ones a chance. Maybe Shane didn't want to do that so he asked to be released, and given his track record and what he has done for this team, they granted it to him. I certainly would have prefered to keep him around at least until we see if Redding can actually sustain the kind of mental focus he needs to be successful in The Show, but if Shane didn't feel like getting demoted, I can understand letting him go.

[BobFinn*]

Here is the reason for his release Raven:

"I didn't really expect it to happen this way," Reynolds told local FOX affiliate KRIV-TV. "Honestly, I had no idea that I was supposed to come to Spring Training having to make the team. Therefore I took what I needed and what I thought was the best time and the best way to get myself ready for my first start during the (regular) season.

"I am not going to say anything bad about the Astros' organization. I owe them a lot. I do think that it was a little bit of a misrepresentation when I did sign as far as what I needed to do in Spring Training. They could have said, 'you have to make the team.'

"My thoughts, my workout programs, my mental preparation would have been totally different as far as getting outs instead of working on stuff I need to work on."

And some teamates reactions:

The best way to describe the reaction of Reynolds' teammates is shock. A few hinted that Reynolds, a veteran, should have been given more time to prove that he had recovered from his surgery.

"A lot of times things happen in this game that you don't understand," Jeff Bagwell said. "This is one of them. Big time. I don't understand it. He was our third starter. Everybody knew that. I don't know where this is coming from. He's a veteran.

"The last time I checked, the back of a baseball card doesn't have Spring Training stats on them."

Added Brian Hunter: "He's one of the hardest working guys and most loyal people, right? A lot of things happen in baseball that you don't expect. This has to be one of the most unexpected."

Catcher Brad Ausmus admitted he was "having a hard time wrapping my brain around it." Ausmus had just seen Reynolds in the Astros' clubhouse prior to the team's departure to the Braves' Disney complex. Reynolds, who was scheduled to remain in Kissimmee to pitch in a minor league game over the weekend, was not making the trip to the Braves' ballpark, so it did not strike his teammates as unusual that he was not on the team bus.

"The last thing I said to him was 'see you in a few days,'" Ausmus said. "Obviously, he didn't know either at that point."

Said Craig Biggio: "I guess 'confused' is the word. Shane's meant a lot to this organization and this team and really worked hard to get back. We thought he was going to be our number three starter. He's meant a lot to these young pitchers and helped them out a lot.

"We've been together for 13 years, good times and bad times. Like a lot of guys, I'm just very, very confused right now."

[Oski2005]

This sucks. It'll be an even worse decision if Shane catches on somewhere else and shows that he's still a capable starter. Man, they should have given him a chance or at least warned him that his job was in jeapordy. You get the feeling that they just didn't want to pay him.

[Puedlfor]

I don't know about anyone else, but I kind of asusmed his career was over after he got hurt. I thought the Astros took a big risk by signing him, and I think the Astros are the only team with a chance at .500 or greater ball that would've done so.

I mean, this was not a minor injury he had.

[DaDakota]

I guess the players should realize that if they don't perform up to par, they will be gone too.

A little fear never hurts a team like the Stros, they have been too complacent.

DD

[Preston27]

This has been quite a bold offseason for the Astros, from signing Kent to releasing Reynolds.

I wish Reynolds the best.

[ROCKSS]

Originally posted by Major
This is ridiculous - we already had a depth problem and now we release Reynolds? Why not keep one of the two young guys on the backburner for the inevitable injury that we'll face somewhere down the road?

It's better to have 3 bad pitchers than only 2.

I agree, and coupled with the fact that the Astros still have to pay him his one million dollar contract I would think they would stick it out and at least use him in mop up situations or long relief.

[RocketFan85]

Well Shane would have got killed this year, believe it or not but Redding will give us a better shot at winning than Shane would.

[fya]

Great move. Reynolds is ailing and was a PAIN to watch pitch, he slowed the game down considerably.

[Baqui99]

Strange move. 82mph fastball will not get it done though.

[Mulder]

BTW Happy Birthday Shane! Yesterday was his Birthday.

http://www.salacious.de/Smiliez/sonstiges/sonst139.gif

[DaDakota]

I wish I could get released and get 1 million dollars on my birthday.

:)

DD

[EvaRocketsLuv]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rockets10
perhaps it was good for baseball reasons, we'll just have to wait and see, but i feel bad for shane. he got screwed. he signed a completely incentive laden contract in the off-season b/c the astros said they were going to give him a chance to proove he was worthy of the big bucks. that contract was worth almost 6 million in incentives. now, of course, he gets none of that and will likely sign somewhere else for the minimum or something. he could have made a few million guaranteed if he signed somewhere else originally.

Shane still gets to keep his $1 million base salary. The Astros could have chosen not to re-sign him after 2002; his contract was up. Instead, they gave him another chance. That's not "screwing" him; in fact, it's almost downright sentimental. During this ST it apparently became clear he didn't have his old stuff back, and since we have young arms waiting for a chance, and since we must face the Cardinals several times right off the bat, there's no more room for sentinmentality.

It was pretty awful, though, if it's true, that management did not inform him he'd be fighting for a job along with most everyone else during ST.

[Lance Berkman]

rob neyer says reynolds is reportedly heading to the mets

[rrj_gamz]

Shane (http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2003/0407/1535234.html)

Looks like Shane is still looking for a job...

I'm glad he won't be going to the Mets...but the Reds, Cardinals and Braves will hurt...

[Svpernaut]

Releasing Shane Reynolds wasn't an econimic move, because the Astros still have to pay him his 1 million dollar contract... it was pure business. The guy throws 82-85 mph on his fastball, and his only other decent pitch is his splitter... So he offers nothing to the Astros considering the pitching prospects we have in the organization. Why let him get rocked for 10 losses when we can throw Tim Redding out there to lose more and get much needed experiene out of it all.

Meanwhile MLB blocked the NY Mets from signing Reynolds to a minor league contract because the way the contract was structured, but from what Shane's agent has said there are 4-5 teams very interested in him... there are plenty of non-contenders out there that need sub-par pitchers, but thankfully the Astros aren't any of those teams.

The Astros have plenty of arm-strength and talent, and a lot of the bullpen can spot start decently at any time. Yet another good move by Gerry.

[Miguel]

I wouldn't mind seeing him in Boston. :D


Although June 13-15th would be awkward.

[bobrek]

Originally posted by Svpernaut
Releasing Shane Reynolds wasn't an econimic move, because the Astros still have to pay him his 1 million dollar contract...

The incentive laden contract that Reynolds signed with Houston included the 1 million dollar base and a number of incentives. 2 million dollars in incentives were simply roster bonuses. He would have earned $300,00 for 30 days, another $500,000 for 60 days, $600,000 for 90 days and $600,000 for 120 days. He would also have received bonuses totaling up to 1.7 million for making certain numbers of starts. Economics DID play a factor in Reynolds release.

[Svpernaut]

If it was about economics they would never have resigned him. They gave him another shot and he stunk it up... If they thought he would have been of some use they would have kept him around even for the extra 1-2 million, he's washed up and they payed 1 mill to find that out for sure.

[Rockets10]

Originally posted by bobrek
Economics DID play a factor in Reynolds release.

not only was it A factor, it was the ONLY factor in my mind. sure, there was some uncertainty over how he was going to pitch, but no more than the rest of the back of the pitching staff. plus, factor the intangibles of being a leader in the locker room and what you have is a player that is more valuable than the other pitchers on the squad. a lot of people on this team are admittedly pissed off about this move, and they should be. there is no question in my mind that if robertson and shane had similar contracts, shane would still be here. therefore, this move is entirely economic in nature.

[Svpernaut]

Clubhouse leadership is entirely over-rated these days... look at the Giants last season and the Yankees every season. The only leader that our young pitchers need is behind the plate, not on the mound. Of course I am talking about Ausmus.

[Puedlfor]

Originally posted by Rockets10
not only was it A factor, it was the ONLY factor in my mind. sure, there was some uncertainty over how he was going to pitch, but no more than the rest of the back of the pitching staff. plus, factor the intangibles of being a leader in the locker room and what you have is a player that is more valuable than the other pitchers on the squad. a lot of people on this team are admittedly pissed off about this move, and they should be. there is no question in my mind that if robertson and shane had similar contracts, shane would still be here. therefore, this move is entirely economic in nature.

Uhm, I think the reason he was released was because there was no uncertainty about how he was going to pitch.

He was going to suck.

I mean, there were questions about Redding, Munro, Robertson, etc, etc - but they didn't put 82mph grapefruits over the plate in Spring.

Shane was a hell of a pitcher for a long time, and gave the Astros a lot of good starts, but he doesn't have it anymore and we essentially gave him a 1 million dollar thank you for all his hard work for this club.

[dc sports]

I think the fact that with all of the question marks in MLB pitching, the fact that no one has signed him is very telling.

He was a great pitcher, who contributed much to this club. He's still a great person. He's in a similar position to Hakeem a few years back. (Similar situation -- Reynolds isn't in the same league.) He could probably ride his experience, and be an OK player, but his body won't ever let him play at the same level. It's time for him to explore other opportunities.

[pgabriel]

I know its early, but the Astros aren't missing him right now. I doubt that they ever will this season.