Denied

by ~ February 28th, 2009 at 9:23 am

We’ve all been waiting for the last few days to see if Adrian Beltre would be playing in the World Baseball Classic.  We knew that the Mariners didn’t want him going and that he wanted to go if he felt healthy, and thought that Seattle would allow him to make the call on his own.

That’s not how it played out, though, as Beltre had decided to go but the Mariners pulled the plug, informing him that he wasn’t allowed to play.

Beltre is obviously disappointed but insists that there is no resentment towards the organization and understands why they made the decision.

For quotes from Beltre, GM Jack Zduriencik and whoever else, check out this posts from Shannon Drayer.

Last night, Seattle Sports Insider posted an interesting take:

We can see the ethical conflict in clearer focus if we ask this question:  Okay, go play in the WBC, but if you’re injured, will you give the money back?

And that extends to “if your thumb deteriorates and you can’t provide the LEVEL of performance we bought,” will you give the money back.

If that were the situation, Adrian Beltre would absolutely decline to play in the WBC, period. If playing in the WBC risked the money he is taking from the Mariners, he would not play.  If it’s Beltre’s money on the line, the fans could take a hike.  Since it’s the Mariners’ money on the line, he (and all WBC’ers) are arguing that the fans are the #1 consideration?

And that makes the ethical compass easy to read here.  Beltre is asking to put the WBC first, while being paid as though he were putting the Mariners first.  He’s willing to risk the M’s money, but not his own.  That’s not fair.

All in all, I’m disappointed for Beltre knowing how much of a competitor he is, but at the same time I’m very excited to see what he can do for the Mariners at 100% this upcoming season.

Addendum: Discussion Question

Do you think MLB teams will begin inserting clauses into player contracts that allow them to void the contract if a player hurts himself in the WBC?  Should teams do this?

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  • ernier

    This was the right move by the M’s because Beltre only has one speed and will play through just about anything, so you can’t count on him to pace himself in a competition like the WBC. He may not like it, but it’s best for his career and the team.

    I wish the M’s would have tried harder to prevent Aumount from pitching in the WBC also. I know it’s only short relief, but there is no reason for a top pitching prospect coming off an arm injury and at his age to pitch in the classic.

  • FelixFanChris420

    I agree with the move.

    It sucks for AB, but its definetly the right move for the franchise. Can you imagine how pathetic our offense would be without AB? Wow!

    Hopefully he re-signs despite this stuff as he is a piece we can build around if the price is right.

  • http://www.marinercentral.com Lonnie

    It is almost strange to read posts about the Mariner’s management making a correct decision. I feel like I’ve slipped into a different dimension…

    As far as resigning Beltre, I’m beginning to think not. I am firmly in the Tuiasosopo camp after watching him play over the course of the last week. The kid has hit another platue and he is darn close to MLB ready.

    Lonnie

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    I tend to believe in Tuiasosopo more than many do, especially the national prospect analysts, but that wouldn’t stop me from wanting to keep Beltre, who is one of the most underrated players in baseball IMO.

    Lonnie, how has Tui’s defense looked down there? Every time I saw him in 2008 he found a way to live up to his reputation as a bad defender, whether it was with Tacoma in person or with Seattle on television.

    The defense will/can come later, though. It’s probably natural for a prospect to focus primarily on hitting, because that is what is gonna get you to the bigs (at least in their eyes, and there’s probably a lot of truth to it). Various infielders show every year that it’s possible to go from a poor defender to a good one… it’s definitely a learnable skill. Beltre level? Eh, not likely. But he could become passable.. he’s certainly has the athleticism.

  • Slugoben

    My feelings on resigning Beltre would be wait till he is a free agent. Let him have his contract= career season

  • ppl

    IF teams and players draw up contracts that forbid players from playing in the WBC or allow for termination of the contract if a player proceeds to play when asked not too, I think that is completely fair. If a team is going to commit to paying a guy several million dollars, to play baseball for them, then, agreed upon guidelines seem to be fair game. But there is a difference between Aaron Boone getting hurt playing pick-up basketball and the WBC. The MLB created this tournament and then each individual team compromises it by withholding talent from it. Too bad there isn’t a way to make it work big-time. As a fan I would love to see Team USA and Team Dominican Republic compete for all the marbles with the full rosters of available talent, but practically, I can’t fault any team for protecting their multi-million $ interests.