dirty sanchez released [metsblog]

[blueNorange]

The Mets released Duaner Sanchez, avoiding the mid-March deadline that allows them to save $1.6 million of his 2009 salary.

The Mets told Sanchez when he arrived to Tradition Field this morning.

…my hunch is that Tim Redding may end up with the fifth starter’s job, and Brian Stokes and Ron Villone are now in pretty good position to crack the Opening Day roster, because a) stokes is out of options, and b) villone is successful against left-handed hitters he can also be a long man…

Update, 9:52 am:

“We looked at it, really, his overall performance based upon last year to where he is now,” GM Omar Minaya is quoted as saying by Adam Rubin of the Daily News. “We really didn’t see the improvement we felt was needed to be effective in the major leagues.”

According to Rubin, Minaya said the Mets had too many other attractive options in the bullpen.

[mjhp911]

WOW. I know he was having a bad spring, but dang. Oh well, he cost us a possible Series appearance a few years back, so whatev.

I'm fine with Redding as the fifth starter, but no word on Livan?