Roch: Josh Kusnick (Agent39) Speaks of Clevenger Demotion

[AdamK]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Where is T.J. McFarland's agent right now? Think he is happy Garcia is on the O's over McFarland? These things usually work themselves out.</p>? Matt Kremnitzer (@mattkremnitzer) <a href="

">April 8, 2015</a></blockquote>

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TJ should be the last pitcher on the Os to be surprised by a rule 5 guy forcing the team's hand.

[TouchemAll]

I don't blame Clevenger for being unhappy and I don't blame Kusnick for standing up for his guy. I think it's pretty obvious that the O's like Lavarnway a little better, though Buck isn't coming right out and saying that.

Yep :agree: in fact with out options I believe he would have been DFA

[Redskins Rick]

I know players barely pay attention to roster management. But fans identified Webb and Clevenger as candidates to not make the team months ago. If the two of them are confused it is because they lack common sense.

With the stockpile of arms and catchers in camp, it shouldn't have been a surprise to the players, either.

[Guest rochester]

This "communication" thing with management being made public is becoming a trend. It surely sounds like communication may not be DD's strength, to say the least. The 'concern' expressed by Nick and AJ had more impact for me because of who it was and when (Toronto-gate) - IMO, DD may have been more focused on how to get the BJ's job. But Webb and Clevenger? IIRC a majority of OH folks knew these were very possible and warranted moves, if for no other reason than common sense. Webb has not produced enough to warrant one a roster spot; Clevenger is, at best, a back-up at the ML level. Have their agents ever thought that maybe, just maybe, this should not be a surprise?

[backwardsk]

Why put Clevenger on the Saturday 3pm roster, only to move him for Lavarnway? I'm confused by that move to? What kind of advantage did that move create?

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[Crazysilver03]

Why put Clevenger on the Saturday 3pm roster, only to move him for Lavarnway? I'm confused by that move to? What kind of advantage did that move create?

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Lavarnway replaced Webb.

Davis replaced Clevenger.

[PaulFolk]

Why put Clevenger on the Saturday 3pm roster, only to move him for Lavarnway? I'm confused by that move to? What kind of advantage did that move create?

I think they wanted Clevenger around for the first game of the season as a bench bat while Davis was serving the final game of his suspension.

The bigger question is why they included Webb instead of Lavarnway on the initial OD roster and then changed it before the first game. My guess is Duquette was trying to buy a little bit of extra time to try to trade Webb.

[backwardsk]

Lavarnway replaced Webb.

Davis replaced Clevenger.

I understand that's how it worked mechanically. Davis coming back on day 2 was no surprise. The decision for backup catcher was made before the rosters were set. What was the point of having Clevenger on the roster on day 1?

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[Crazysilver03]

I understand that's how it worked mechanically. Davis coming back on day 2 was no surprise. The decision for backup catcher was made before the rosters were set. What was the point of having Clevenger on the roster on day 1?

Who else would have filled the spot of a 25th player? They just needed a warm body on the roster. K

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Oi. Who else would have filled the spot? He was a warm body to get to Davis.

[atomic]

They should do the guy a favor and trade or release him.

Yeah he is obviously not in their plans. If Joseph got injured tomorrow I believe they would trade for someone before letting Clevenger pitch in the bigs.

[DoubleStufOriole]

I understand that's how it worked mechanically. Davis coming back on day 2 was no surprise. The decision for backup catcher was made before the rosters were set. What was the point of having Clevenger on the roster on day 1?

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Yeah, Lavarnway could have been added to the 40-man roster when Davis went on the inactive list, and Webb could then be DFAed after the first game when it was time for Davis to return.

Basically, we would have carried Webb for the first game instead of Clevenger. And Steve might have actually preferred starting the year in Norfolk instead of thinking he made the team and then being cut after the first day.

[backwardsk]

Oi. Who else would have filled the spot? He was a warm body to get to Davis.

Could have kept Webb an extra day to work something out.

But using Clevenger as an extra bat off the bench makes sense too. Of course, they could have said that Lavarnway made the team on Sarurday and then brought up Steve when they DFA'd Webb.

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[Rene88]

Maybe I'm a bit biased because I work as a public relations specialist, but it's not good for the organization to have two players/agents publicly complain about the way they are treated by management over the course of the past three days. Words like "confused" and "left in the dark" aren't complimentary.

I honestly would have kept Webb on the roster and optioned Gausman and left Clevenger on the roster and Lavarnway in AAA, but the guys making the decisions are paid to win ballgames, not keep people happy. I just avoid rocking the boat as much as possible.

As was already mentioned, Clevenger has ties to the Baltimore area and really wants to play for his hometown team...and he's not being given much of a chance, even after clearly winning the spring training battle over Lavarnway, both offensively and defensively.

This is a great post. I agree with almost everything. I also agree with Webb vs. Gausman. I would rather have Gausman pitching every 5th day personally. I don't really care about Webb so much....but we agree on the move. I think at the end of the day they get to limit Gausman's inning by keeping him in the bullpen and they know Webb would go at some point, so why not sooner than later...

Agree 100% on Clevenger. I think it is time to let him go.

[DrungoHazewood]

Maybe I'm a bit biased because I work as a public relations specialist, but it's not good for the organization to have two players/agents publicly complain about the way they are treated by management over the course of the past three days. Words like "confused" and "left in the dark" aren't complimentary.

I honestly would have kept Webb on the roster and optioned Gausman and left Clevenger on the roster and Lavarnway in AAA, but the guys making the decisions are paid to win ballgames, not keep people happy. I just avoid rocking the boat as much as possible.

As was already mentioned, Clevenger has ties to the Baltimore area and really wants to play for his hometown team...and he's not being given much of a chance, even after clearly winning the spring training battle over Lavarnway, both offensively and defensively.

It may not be good for a borderline MLB player and his agent to complain about the organization, but it's not good in a "tire pressure light just came on and I have to put in some air" way, not in a "I just hit a bridge abutment at 65 mph" way. Borderline MLB players almost always think they're a hot two weeks from a nine-year career with $millions in salary (because sometimes they are), and their agents are paid to be their advocates.

[Redskins Rick]

It may not be good for a borderline MLB player and his agent to complain about the organization, but it's not good in a "tire pressure light just came on and I have to put in some air" way, not in a "I just hit a bridge abutment at 65 mph" way. Borderline MLB players almost always think they're a hot two weeks from a nine-year career with $millions in salary (because sometimes they are), and their agents are paid to be their advocates.

Good points.

I also suspect that Webb with his contract might have given himself a false sense of security for the 25 man roster