Alex Sanchez released

[PDXChris]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2084343

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- More than two months after violating Major League Baseball's policy on steroids, outfielder Alex Sanchez was designated for assignment by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Alex Sanchez
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Tampa Bay Devil Rays
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2005 SEASON STATISTICS
GM HR RBI R OBP AVG
43 2 13 28 .373 .346



Sanchez hit .346 this season and went 2-for-6 with two runs scored in the Devil Rays' 7-5 victory at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

But the Devil Rays designated Sanchez for assignment on Monday, giving them 10 days to trade, release or ask waivers on the outfielder.

Tampa Bay also released veteran catcher Charles Johnson, who was batting just .196, and placed pitcher Trever Miller on the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain Monday.

To fill the three roster spots, the Devil Rays recalled outfielder Jonny Gomes and catcher Kevin Cash from Triple-A Durham and selected the contract of right-hander Tim Corcoran from Durham.

The moves come one day after Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella criticized ownership for not caring about winning now. Tampa Bay has baseball's worst record at 21-42.

Sanchez, 28 signed a one-year contract with the Devil Rays in March after being released by the Detroit Tigers. On April 7, he became the first major leaguer to be suspended for 10 days under baseball's new steroids policy.

Sanchez is 48 plate appearances shy of qualifying with the third-highest batting average in the American League. His .372 average in May led the league.

Johnson, 33, started just 15 games for Tampa Bay after signing with the team on April 4. The four-time Gold Glove winner threw out just 2-of-15 base stealers this season.

Miller faced four hitters in Sunday's game at Pittsburgh. He retired one, allowed one hit and walked two. Miller is 0-0 with a 4.32 ERA in 28 appearances this season.

Gomes was with the Devil Rays from April 21 to May 9 and hit .304 with two homers and five RBI. He hit .321 with 14 homers and 46 RBI in 45 games with Durham.

Cash hit .350 with seven homers and 14 RBI in 17 games with Durham.

Corcoran was 4-1 with a 4.00 ERA in 19 appearances with Durham.

 

[PDXChris]

He will be consistant at least

 

[boondockdrunk]

He will be consistant at least

Well he was hitting well so there might be some other factor to this... maybe he failed another test?

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

This guy has been dumped by three bad teams in the past two years. Not only is he a leadoff hacker, but there's gotta be something else which leads poor squads like the Brewers, Tigers, and DRays to rid themseves of him for nothing.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

This guy has been dumped by three bad teams in the past two years. Not only is he a leadoff hacker, but there's gotta be something else which leads poor squads like the Brewers, Tigers, and DRays to rid themseves of him for nothing.

I heard it was because he wouldnt officially change his name to Dirty!

Seriously... he's always had character issues...tends to be hindrance in the clubhouse... Also... as you said lacks with OPS and also is a major defensive liability..

Plus.. the Devil Rays are in the process of pairing down their payroll even further... Now.. if it was Carl Crawford available..then obviously that would be an entirely different story....

Dave Hollins might become available when Rocco Baldelli is reactivated off the DL, so he would be intriguing for the Dbacks to consider..although the OF shouldnt be their #1 priority at the moment...

Back to Sanchez... I read where in fact he did recently clash with Pinella over a lack of playing time..and demanded "I play or else".. so of course the latter happened....