Springfield (AP) – It’s not show-friends its show-business. That could be the mantra for the Springfield Isotopes leading up to and on roster cut-down date. Fresh off its first NASBL World Series Championship, GM Doug Sherlag obviously didn’t show any loyalty to the Topes’ World Series heroes during the off-season. Some key players off the 2008 squad were traded for draft picks in the upcoming NASBL draft (Aki Iwamura and Cody Ross) or in the case of Rich Harden, for an everyday third baseman in Aramis Ramirez, making their departures much more palatable for the Topes fans. Others were simply cut loose and will have to pick up their rings next time they roll into town.
Key victims of the 2008 squad from roster cut-down day:
Jorge Posada hit .368 with a 1.139 OPS in 345 at bats after being acquired by the Topes during the 2008 season and caught every game of the post-season. Evidently, that was not enough to beat out Brian Schneider and make the Topes squad.
Rafael Betancourt is a two year Tope veteran who posted a sparkling 1.40 ERA in 77 appearances during the regular season and pitched stand-out relief during the postseason was also let go. I’m not sure what more Rafael needed to do, but it was rumored that Betancourt (who picked up 9 saves during the 2008 season) had demanded the full closer role for 2009 from Jonathon Papelbon, which didn’t sit well with GM Doug Sherlag.
Ryan Freel has been a Tope his entire four-year career and has posted a .360 OBP as a super-sub for the Isotopes squad. It appears that the Topes believed that Ronnie Belliard was a better option than Freel to fill this role.
Luke Scott provided the greatest moment in Springfield Isotopes history by hitting an 8th inning grand slam off of J.J. Putz in game seven of the World Series and has done nothing but hit (a .910 OPS) as a part-time player for the Topes the last two seasons.
Eric Chavez is arguably the greatest Isotope ever to lace up his spikes. He is the Topes all time leader in games, at bats, and doubles and is 2nd all time in home runs, runs batted in, runs scored, and walks all while playing gold-glove caliber defense at third base. Chavez has been fighting nagging injuries over the past few seasons but was still relatively productive last season, including hitting a home run in Game 7 of the World Series off Josh Beckett. At only 31 years old, a lot of Topes fans will think his departure is pre-mature, but the trade for Aramis Ramirez made this inevitable. “I can’t say I didn’t see this coming, with the team drafting Aki last year and trading for A-Ram, but that doesn’t make it any easier. I just can’t see myself playing for another team besides the Topes,” said Chavez from his Los Angeles home. “I think I’ll just sit out 2009 and see how I feel about returning to a different team next year.”
Ryan Freel and Jorge Posada have echoed Chavez’ sentiment and plan to sit out the 2009 NASBL season in order to bask in their championship and see if the competitive juices’ flow enough to play again in 2010. “We’ve talked about it and Jorge, Ryan and I have decided to cruise the banquet circuit this year and milk this championship for huge appearance fees,” said Chavez.
Key victims of the 2008 squad from roster cut-down day:
Jorge Posada hit .368 with a 1.139 OPS in 345 at bats after being acquired by the Topes during the 2008 season and caught every game of the post-season. Evidently, that was not enough to beat out Brian Schneider and make the Topes squad.
Rafael Betancourt is a two year Tope veteran who posted a sparkling 1.40 ERA in 77 appearances during the regular season and pitched stand-out relief during the postseason was also let go. I’m not sure what more Rafael needed to do, but it was rumored that Betancourt (who picked up 9 saves during the 2008 season) had demanded the full closer role for 2009 from Jonathon Papelbon, which didn’t sit well with GM Doug Sherlag.
Ryan Freel has been a Tope his entire four-year career and has posted a .360 OBP as a super-sub for the Isotopes squad. It appears that the Topes believed that Ronnie Belliard was a better option than Freel to fill this role.
Luke Scott provided the greatest moment in Springfield Isotopes history by hitting an 8th inning grand slam off of J.J. Putz in game seven of the World Series and has done nothing but hit (a .910 OPS) as a part-time player for the Topes the last two seasons.
Eric Chavez is arguably the greatest Isotope ever to lace up his spikes. He is the Topes all time leader in games, at bats, and doubles and is 2nd all time in home runs, runs batted in, runs scored, and walks all while playing gold-glove caliber defense at third base. Chavez has been fighting nagging injuries over the past few seasons but was still relatively productive last season, including hitting a home run in Game 7 of the World Series off Josh Beckett. At only 31 years old, a lot of Topes fans will think his departure is pre-mature, but the trade for Aramis Ramirez made this inevitable. “I can’t say I didn’t see this coming, with the team drafting Aki last year and trading for A-Ram, but that doesn’t make it any easier. I just can’t see myself playing for another team besides the Topes,” said Chavez from his Los Angeles home. “I think I’ll just sit out 2009 and see how I feel about returning to a different team next year.”
Ryan Freel and Jorge Posada have echoed Chavez’ sentiment and plan to sit out the 2009 NASBL season in order to bask in their championship and see if the competitive juices’ flow enough to play again in 2010. “We’ve talked about it and Jorge, Ryan and I have decided to cruise the banquet circuit this year and milk this championship for huge appearance fees,” said Chavez.
As for Luke Scott, he will always have a place in Topes fans’ hearts, and who knows what the draft may bring. He could be a Tope in 2009 after all. As of now though, “I won’t go to a Topes game all season,” said Justin Gates, long-time Topes fan. “I canceled my season tickets and am burying my Eric Chavez jersey in the backyard. What Sherlag did to these guys is a travesty and I’ll show my support for another ballclub that understands what loyalty is really about.” The Topes will have to hope that most fans don’t share Mr. Gates’ sentiment.
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