Diamondbacks release Tony Clark

[PDXChris]

In another move made in part with an eye on 2010, the Diamondbacks on Sunday released veteran first baseman Tony Clark.

Clark, 37 and in his 15th season in the majors, was hitting just .182 with four home runs in 66 at-bats.

Presumably, the move was made with the intention of bringing first baseman Josh Whitesell back from Triple-A Reno and giving him a chance to play regularly.

First baseman Chad Tracy is in the final guaranteed year of his contract and the club likely wants to see how Whitesell does with consistent at-bats.

In parts of five seasons with the Diamondbacks, Clark hit .255 with 59 home runs in 831 at-bats, time mostly spent as the club’s primary pinch-hitter off the bench and as a leader in the clubhouse.

The Diamondbacks signed him to a one-year, $800,000 contract before this season.

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/NickPiecoro/57573

 

[Cody]

off topic...but $800,000 a year typically is very very low in professional sports, yet it is still a tremendous amount of money. makes me sick lol

 

[PoolBoy]

Yesyesyesyes Thank You! Finally!

 

[PDXChris]

off topic...but $800,000 a year typically is very very low in professional sports, yet it is still a tremendous amount of money. makes me sick lol

After taxes and fees to agents and other people, he will clear about 200k to 300K. Still a lot of money, but not as much as it seems.

 

[azsportsfan01]

He clearing a lot more than $200,000 to $300,000. He is in the highest tax bracket which is 35%. So of the $800,000, $280,000 is paid in taxes. The most agents charge is 5% so at the most he is paying his agent around $30,000. He will pull in about a half a million once everything is said and done.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

With his numbers, this isn't a surprise. I wish he could have put something together so the DBacks could keep him, but it just didn't happen for him here this year. Time to bring up someone from AAA to see what they've got. I'm going to miss Tony "The Tiger" Clark, but he'll find somewhere else to land even if it's not as a player.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

MLB players also get a per diem and free housing and food on gamedays.

Regarding Clark, the guy can't play and his "leadership" qualities are massively overrated considering we've been terrible since he re-joined the team.

I also think it's very unlikely that Whitesell ever becomes a regular MLB player.

 

[devilalum]

MLB players also get a per diem and free housing and food on gamedays.

Regarding Clark, the guy can't play and his "leadership" qualities are massively overrated considering we've been terrible since he re-joined the team.

Part of being a leader is being able to play. Nobody's gonna respect an anchor.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

MLB players also get a per diem and free housing and food on gamedays.

Regarding Clark, the guy can't play and his "leadership" qualities are massively overrated considering we've been terrible since he re-joined the team.

Can't play here and maybe anywhere, but I'd like to stay in baseball. I think he's good for the game.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

Part of being a leader is being able to play. Nobody's gonna respect an anchor.

Unless he's interested in coaching?

 

[Cody]

After taxes and fees to agents and other people, he will clear about 200k to 300K. Still a lot of money, but not as much as it seems.

are you sure he only get 2-3k out of 8k? thats less than half.

 

[Ryanwb]

After taxes and fees to agents and other people, he will clear about 200k to 300K. Still a lot of money, but not as much as it seems.

If he's paying out 60% more than he's making something isn't right. I have an old college buddy who pulls in close to 7 figures a year who pays less tax than I do. Loopholes and write-offs!!! Plus an agent pulls in around 10% of a player's deal. So his agent made $80,000 off of him

 

[Ryanwb]

BTW,

You're on shaky ground if your name is Tony in Arizona

Tony Clark
Tony Womack
Tony Pena

 

[HooverDam]

I also think it's very unlikely that Whitesell ever becomes a regular MLB player.

I dont think so either, and I dont think the D'backs do either. Otherwise they wouldn't likely be so high on Brandon Allen. I imagine the idea is in part to bring Whitesell up to the majors and let Allen get all the ABs in Reno. Then maybe towards the end of the year theyll bring Allen up to the majors for a bit.

 

[Ryanwb]

...one more thing. I wonder if they bring up Brandon Allen soon, or at the end of the season? Whitesell batted .214 with zero homers this year. I can't think he would be part of the future of this team.

 

[Ryanwb]

Jarred Allen.

I think you're getting your sports combined my friend

 

[PoolBoy]

Tony Womack isn't on shaky ground. Womack was the man.

 

[HooverDam]

I think you're getting your sports combined my friend

I fixed it!

 

[brutus1303]

...one more thing. I wonder if they bring up Brandon Allen soon, or at the end of the season? Whitesell batted .214 with zero homers this year. I can't think he would be part of the future of this team.

Whitesell did come around though the last road trip he was on the team for, then he didn't get any more PT. Anyways there's only one to find out what we have in him, and now's as good a time as any to figure it out.

 

[Cody]

Tony Womack isn't on shaky ground. Womack was the man.

i loved TW

 

[DWKB]

I guess being "the man" means being the worst player on a WS winning team.

 

[TJ]

This is a good move as I thought Clark was becoming dead weight on this team. He was also stunting the growth of Josh Whitesell. Whitesell has no business in AAA-Reno and should be on the 25 man roster to start to flourish. He put up some good numbers in AAA: .328 avg .425 obp 26 homers in 127 games.

I want to give him a full season to see what he can do.

 

[Brian]

I guess being "the man" means being the worst player on a WS winning team.

Did you even watch the playoffs that year?

No Tony Womack means no trip to the WS and possibly no WS win in game 7.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

This is a good move as I thought Clark was becoming dead weight on this team. He was also stunting the growth of Josh Whitesell. Whitesell has no business in AAA-Reno and should be on the 25 man roster to start to flourish. He put up some good numbers in AAA: .328 avg .425 obp 26 homers in 127 games.

I want to give him a full season to see what he can do.

Please...giving him a full season is a waste of time. There is a reason he got straight released by the NATS...he's a AAAA player, dominates AAA, can't hit major league pitching. Bring on Brandon Allen, see what he can do.

 

[Dback Jon]

About time.

Need to see what Whitesell can do, and get Allen up to AAA.


Tony - last remembered play will be being brought in for defense, then dropping an easy throw that allowed losing run to score.