Mariners Trade Balentien to Reds for RHP Robert Manuel

Post #1 » by **Bulltalk** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 7:36 pm

The Mariners weren't done this morning. GM Jack Zduriencik has just announced another trade, dealing outfielder Wladimir Balentien to Cincinnati for right-handed pitcher Robert Manuel.

Manuel, a reliever, was picked last year by MiLB.com as the best reliever in the minors. He appeared in three games for the Reds this year, for a total of 4 1/3 innings, and didn't allow a run. He was 3-4 with a 2.70 ERA in AAA Louisville.

Obviously, it didn't work out with Balentien, who was designated ofr assignment on Sunday after hitting just .213 in 155 at-bats.

Post #2 » by **BlackMamba** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 7:50 pm

well, for me it's a shock that suddenly balentien was sent to assignment and now a trade was completed for him.

i remember that last season, and maybe earlier this year, he was wished to be a key part of the future.

what was his problem?

Post #3 » by **Bulltalk** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 7:54 pm

I know nothing of this guy (Robert Manuel), other than what I've just read.

--26 years old
--Undrafted FA, I believe
--RH Relief pitcher
--Ranked anywhere from 15th to 20th on Reds' list of prospects
--Projected as middle reliever
--Not overpowering stuff
--Needs to develop command of more pitches
--Has done very well in the minors, low ERA's
--Etc...

This seems like a real "give-up" on Balentien. Maybe it was time. Maybe he'd soon plummet in worth.

HeavyP · Post #4 » by **HeavyP** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 8:33 pm

Balentien had to be traded or he would become a FA by the end of the week, he was out of options. The fact that we could get ANYTHING for him is a bonus in my book.

Ex-hippie · Post #5 » by **Ex-hippie** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 8:51 pm

HeavyP wrote:Balentien had to be traded or he would become a FA by the end of the week, he was out of options. The fact that we could get ANYTHING for him is a bonus in my book.

True enough, but I had been led to hope that he had been DFA'd because the team had already lined up a trade for him. And although his trade value wasn't great, he was an upsidey kind of guy who I thought maybe could be the throw-in to entice another team to give us an otherwise nice deal.

Post #6 » by **Sweezo** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:10 pm

I remember when Bavasi intimated that part of the reason the M's traded Adam Jones away was because they thought Balentien was a similar talent. Good call on his part. Hmmm...what team does Bavasi work for now, I wonder?

TTown · Post #7 » by **TTown** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:29 pm

Bavasi was just a bad, bad man.

Post #8 » by **BlackMamba** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:18 pm

Sweezo wrote:I remember when Bavasi intimated that part of the reason the M's traded Adam Jones away was because they thought Balentien was a similar talent. Good call on his part. Hmmm...what team does Bavasi work for now, I wonder?

NateMustGo · Post #9 » by **NateMustGo** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:36 pm

Sweezo wrote:I remember when Bavasi intimated that part of the reason the M's traded Adam Jones away was because they thought Balentien was a similar talent. Good call on his part. Hmmm...what team does Bavasi work for now, I wonder?

I hope he does to the reds what he did to us sweezo. I dont hate the reds but if they are stupid enough to hire this guy ... well i just want to see their team in a couple of years. :lol:

Bay_Areas_Finest · Post #10 » by **Bay_Areas_Finest** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 4:18 pm

I like this deal.

Balentin had no future with us and he was going to be gone soon anyways, so better to get one of the more dependable young arms in the minors for em.

BlazersDozen · Post #11 » by **BlazersDozen** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:02 pm

Finally...Balentien has no potential IMO.

Post #12 » by **Sweezo** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:59 pm

What did this guy do to win that "Reliever of the Year" award? Just have decent numbers, or was the award a nod to his future?