Yankees release Brian Roberts

[russ snyder]

I cant quite get why Lombo hasn't been brought up before now. I thought he should have been brought up a long time ago to help at 2B

I think that Buck prefers the defense that Schoop and Flaherty bring over Lombardozzi.

I think that we may see Lombardozzi as a short term fill in if Machado is put on the DL.

He can play third base.

[Frobby]

I thought it might be interesting to look at a Yankee forum and see what they'd said about Roberts. I don't know what forums have the best posters for the Yankees, but here is one I picked out at random. Mostly negative feedback on BRob, not really about his attitude or hustle, just his play. But it's a pretty spoiled, whiny fanbase so you have to take that into account. http://forums.nyyfans.com/showthread.php/133388-2014-Brian-Roberts-Performance-Thread

[auzzy98]

I watched all the videos. None of them show him on the other side of 2B, where he would spend a good bit of time as 2B for the O's.

You still haven't answered this question: why did the Yankees release Brian Roberts and trade for a guy to replace him who is a worse hitter and is costing them an additional $5 million this year (and will then be a FA)? Doesn't that tell you something about his defense ?

The Yanks obviously thought they could upgrade their defense and team with Drew I guess. It hasn't panned out for them. He's batting .154 with 2 errors at 2B. Just goes to show organizations don't always make the right choices.

[auzzy98]

I thought it might be interesting to look at a Yankee forum and see what they'd said about Roberts. I don't know what forums have the best posters for the Yankees, but here is one I picked out at random. Mostly negative feedback on BRob, not really about his attitude or hustle, just his play. But it's a pretty spoiled, whiny fanbase so you have to take that into account. http://forums.nyyfans.com/showthread.php/133388-2014-Brian-Roberts-Performance-Thread

Seems like he had his moments with them being happy, but mostly ripping his production. Replacing Cano was impossible, they would rip anyone who would have become their new 2B. I wonder what they are saying about Drew.

[MurphDogg]

His contract details are interesting. Does anybody know which team would be responsible for paying his performance bonuses if he reaches them? He is currently at 348 plate appearances and his incentives are structured as such "$0.175M each for 250, 300 plate appearances. $0.25M each for 350, 400 PAs. $0.3M each for 450, 500 PAs. $0.35M for 550 PAs. $0.4M each for 600, 650 PAs".

I wouldn't be opposed to the Orioles signing him for the prorated minimum if the Yankees were still responsible for his incentives. I think it would be kind of funny to bring him in for the last week of the season and get 2 plate appearances in mopup duty that required the Yankees to cut him a check for $250,000.

[MurphDogg]

His contract details are interesting. Does anybody know which team would be responsible for paying his performance bonuses if he reaches them? He is currently at 348 plate appearances and his incentives are structured as such "$0.175M each for 250, 300 plate appearances. $0.25M each for 350, 400 PAs. $0.3M each for 450, 500 PAs. $0.35M for 550 PAs. $0.4M each for 600, 650 PAs".

I wouldn't be opposed to the Orioles signing him for the prorated minimum if the Yankees were still responsible for his incentives. I think it would be kind of funny to bring him in for the last week of the season and get 2 plate appearances in mopup duty that required the Yankees to cut him a check for $250,000.

A quick reading of the CBA discloses the answer to this under Schedule A 6.(e)(4)(ii):

The responsibility for any and all performance bonuses earned after the assignment shall be prorated between the assignor and assignee Clubs in proportion to the total number of relevant events attained during the season with each Club involved

So my guess is the Orioles would be responsible for 2/350ths of $250k, or $1428.57 with the Yankees responsible for the remainder.

[Frobby]

A quick reading of the CBA discloses the answer to this under Schedule A 6.(e)(4)(ii):

So my guess is the Orioles would be responsible for 2/350ths of $250k, or $1428.57 with the Yankees responsible for the remainder.

I don't believe the bonuses apply now that Roberts has been given his outright release. If he had been traded, they would apply. I

[MurphDogg]

I don't believe the bonuses apply now that Roberts has been given his outright release. If he had been traded, they would apply. I

I assumed there was no difference since the contract was guaranteed. You may be right though, it wouldn't be fair for the Orioles to sign him and give him two at-bats and stick the Yankees with an additional $248,500 bill. I didn't really have time to read the entire CBA and parse out the difference between assignment and unconditional release re: performance bonuses.

[WEAVERMAN]

Best wishes to Brian.