In a move reminiscent to John Patterson last year, the Nationals today cut RHSP Shawn Hill. The move opened up a spot on the 40-man for LHRP Joe Beimel who was signed to a one year $2 million deal and, according to Manny Acta, will assume an 8th inning role for the Nationals.
This move is not unexpected given the troubles Hill has had with his right forearm over the past few seasons.He has battled soreness in the forearm and no amount of rest, rehab, visits to Dr. Andrews have helped to alleviate it. The Nats simply reached their tipping point and believed the spot on the 40-man would be better served by Beimel. I’d imagine Shawn will shop his services around to other teams who might be willing to take a chance on him, perhaps the Blue Jays, the only Canadian team in MLB, will give their countryman a shot.
I understand baseball is a business and these are the tough decisions that teams have to make. If I have my rules right, today was the last day the Nationals could cut Hill and pay him only 1/6 of his salary. Rather than being on the hook for the full $775K, the Nationals will only have to pay him ~$130K.
It is a bit sad for me personally because Shawn was honestly the most pleasant person from the Nationals to whom I have spoken. In fact, Shawn was my first ‘interview‘ back when NFA first started in 2005. He was honest and straightforward in answering questions for me then and has never changed in the times I have talked to him since.
I wish Shawn nothing but good luck in the future.
#1 by VladiHondo - March 18th, 2009 at 16:08
Ditto with good luck for Shawn, I remember the interview! Thought it was great he would give you so much time for questions.
Definitely do not see the logic, only if he was still hurt and/or ineffective. But base it on one inning?
#2 by Brian Oliver - March 18th, 2009 at 16:16
I honestly believe the money played a role in it.
[insert Lerners are cheap crack here]
#3 by Hoo - March 18th, 2009 at 16:29
Oh man. Talk about the foreshadowing in your interview.
SH: “The main reason I didn’t sign with the Padres was that I wasn’t healthy for starters. “
The thing that hurts is that Hill is a guy that everyone should like. He’s a the cliche role model and did everything right. He was one of the few bright spots on a dreary team. And he got his fateful final injury hustling on the basepaths instead of just giving up like most pitchers do. That rundown has now convinced me that it’s the right thing for pitchers to do all but walk the basepaths.
#4 by Pilchard - March 18th, 2009 at 16:46
Brian,
Agree this was a money move, as was the move to cut Patterson (which proved to be correct, regardless of motivation). While it seems doubtful that Shawn Hill ever be 100% healthy, he does have talent. He was fun to watch during that one brief stretch in 2007 when he was able to string together a bunch of starts. Really hope that he is able to recover.
Beimel obviously is not a candidate to start. So, it really looks like they may start the year with Jordan Zimmerman on the roster even if it may cost the Nats an earlier Free Agent eligibility date down the road.
#5 by Pilchard - March 18th, 2009 at 16:48
Also, a little in your face from the Lerners to the arbitrator that ruled in Hill’s favor. Guess the Nats aren’t going to pay the award to Hill after all.
#6 by Other Marc with a C - March 18th, 2009 at 17:09
I am not against making moves where money is a factor. If everyone looked around the room and no one thought Shawn would be right, then yes, cutting him now to save $500,000+ rather than next week is fine with me.
But if people in that room said, hey, I think there is a chance he will be healthy but just needs a few more weeks, and then they cut him, it is a cheap move.
Given the Patterson experience I am tempted to give the benefit of the doubt here.
#7 by dd - March 18th, 2009 at 17:14
Wow, a savings of $500,000!!! Millions are going to players who are constantly injured and/or underperforming (Young, Pena,…..) Sad, but good guys….
#8 by expo_ram - March 18th, 2009 at 17:32
I would believe the cheapness thing if they went out and signed a min salary guy, but they did spend $2 million on a proven pitcher. Now, why they chose to cut Hill over someone like Casto, I don’t know.
#9 by Sue Dinem - March 18th, 2009 at 17:47
If Hill were healthy and had no history of durability issues, then the knee-jerk (for many here, the only) response would be appropriate.
But the fact is Hill has been hurt for most of the last three seasons, and hasn’t been able to stick with the parent club for more than two consecutive months. He has also never been healthy in July (a.k.a. when they might have been able to trade him)
I applaud this move and hope to see more like it. This is a last-place club, after all. To mix a metaphor, time to either fish or get off the pot.
#10 by Dick - March 18th, 2009 at 18:03
I, too, echo Brian’s good luck wishes. I’m feeling a little guilty but this move makes me giddy! We desperately needed bullpen help, especially from the left side.
Baseball is both a game and a business. Why pay for a guy who was a 1-game winner last year, a 7-game winner in his CAREER, and a visitor to Dr. Andrews as recently as this month! God bless Shawn, but he ain’t well, ain’t never gonna be. His TJ surgery was in 2004, I believe and he is still seeing the good Doctor 5 YEARS LATER!
#11 by Wally - March 18th, 2009 at 19:56
Well said, Brian. You captured my sentiments about this move.
#12 by Jeff E. - March 18th, 2009 at 21:35
I remember a game Shawn pitched for Clinton vs. Appleton in a very cold spring Wisconsin night. He even took a liner up the box off the shin. Then in Viera one spring training day he was hanging out with Clint Everts leaning against a railing- the snapshot could have been a magazine program cover with two cool cats hanging out. Yes, all the best for Shawn. maybe the Jays could give him an opp. Question out of the box- F. Cepeda- Cuban LF with a lefty swing. Does anyone project him as a viable stateside commodity??? Love the ex-Buc connection again in Beimel. the longer he was a free agent- I expected this to go down. Hey, the Dodgers even had a Joe Beimel bobblehead doll promotion for him. Watch out, Teddy- here comes Joe!!!! LOL!!!
#13 by Jeff E. - March 18th, 2009 at 22:15
Another thought: lets say- god forbid- that Belliard cannot answer the opening day bell with this ankle. would Castillo , Gonzalez or Orr step up in the depth list????
#14 by Jeff E. - March 18th, 2009 at 23:16
prayers to Bob Boone and his family especially Aaron as he faces the heart surgery. what a laid back, cool dude relating to fans at AAA when we would chat in Indpls.
#15 by Jane - March 19th, 2009 at 04:08
Shawn, you will be missed…thanks for the memories and autographs!
#16 by Jeff - March 19th, 2009 at 07:32
Sue Dinem makes an excellent point.
#17 by natsfan1a - March 19th, 2009 at 07:43
I was also saddened for Hill and wish him nothing but the best. As someone else mentioned, I wonder whether there was a “gotcha” aspect re. the arbitration hearing results.
#18 by VladiHondo - March 19th, 2009 at 08:14
The Post article had this at the end: One scout who saw Hill pitch earlier this week, though, described him as the “Hill of old.”
How extensively do we scout our own players? I’m with Chico on this, with the Mets having troubles filling their #5 slot (fat Redding, et. al.), NY could be Shawn’s new home.