Baseball Guru
07-02-2001, 08:39 PM
Texas Rangers Release Ken Caminiti
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Ken Caminiti requested and received his release from the Texas Rangers on Monday, freeing the injury-plagued third baseman to sign with another team.
''They wanted to get rid of me and I wanted to go,'' Caminiti told Houston radio station KTRH-AM.
The 38-year-old Caminiti was a disappointment at the plate and in the field in his only half-season with Texas.
The former NL MVP was hitting .232 with nine homers and 25 RBIs in 54 games. He struck out 41 times in 185 at-bats and had committed nine errors. He had been on the disabled list since June 17 with a pulled left hamstring.
The Rangers signed him over the winter in hopes that a fresh start, and a new league, would help revive a career that swooned in recent years because of injuries and alcohol addiction. His veteran presence was supposed to help a team with high hopes.
His poor play was in line with the team-wide disappointment. The last-place Rangers no longer needed him, so by letting him go, he can try finding another team that might.
''After I discussed the situation with Ken, he has decided that it is in his best interest to take his release,'' Texas general manager Doug Melvin said.
''With our decision to go with younger players, he did not fit in with the future plans of the ballclub. This will also give him an opportunity to join another ballclub where he can contribute.''
Caminiti earned $3 million in base salary and $750,000 in incentives. If he had been on the team on Aug. 15, an option for next season would have been vested and the Rangers would have owed him $2 million for 2003 or as a deferred buyout.
Teams that might have been interested in Caminiti weren't willing to trade for him. They can now sign him for the major league minimum.
''A lot of teams have inquired about him,'' said Caminiti's agent, Rick Licht.
Caminiti said he planned to return to his home in Houston, visit with his family and wait for the best offer.
''I can go be picked up by somebody that wants me and try to start this all over and see if I can salvage the year and help a team that's maybe contending and go from there,'' he said. ''I don't know where else my career is going right now.''
In other moves Monday, Texas placed pitcher J.D. Smart on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Sunday, because of discomfort in his right shoulder.
Pitcher Aaron Myette was recalled from Oklahoma of the Pacific Coast League to replace him.
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"Man may penetrate the outer reaches of the universe, he may solve the very secret of eternity itself, but for me, the ultimate human experience is to witness the flawless execution of a hit-and-run."
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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Ken Caminiti requested and received his release from the Texas Rangers on Monday, freeing the injury-plagued third baseman to sign with another team.
''They wanted to get rid of me and I wanted to go,'' Caminiti told Houston radio station KTRH-AM.
The 38-year-old Caminiti was a disappointment at the plate and in the field in his only half-season with Texas.
The former NL MVP was hitting .232 with nine homers and 25 RBIs in 54 games. He struck out 41 times in 185 at-bats and had committed nine errors. He had been on the disabled list since June 17 with a pulled left hamstring.
The Rangers signed him over the winter in hopes that a fresh start, and a new league, would help revive a career that swooned in recent years because of injuries and alcohol addiction. His veteran presence was supposed to help a team with high hopes.
His poor play was in line with the team-wide disappointment. The last-place Rangers no longer needed him, so by letting him go, he can try finding another team that might.
''After I discussed the situation with Ken, he has decided that it is in his best interest to take his release,'' Texas general manager Doug Melvin said.
''With our decision to go with younger players, he did not fit in with the future plans of the ballclub. This will also give him an opportunity to join another ballclub where he can contribute.''
Caminiti earned $3 million in base salary and $750,000 in incentives. If he had been on the team on Aug. 15, an option for next season would have been vested and the Rangers would have owed him $2 million for 2003 or as a deferred buyout.
Teams that might have been interested in Caminiti weren't willing to trade for him. They can now sign him for the major league minimum.
''A lot of teams have inquired about him,'' said Caminiti's agent, Rick Licht.
Caminiti said he planned to return to his home in Houston, visit with his family and wait for the best offer.
''I can go be picked up by somebody that wants me and try to start this all over and see if I can salvage the year and help a team that's maybe contending and go from there,'' he said. ''I don't know where else my career is going right now.''
In other moves Monday, Texas placed pitcher J.D. Smart on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Sunday, because of discomfort in his right shoulder.
Pitcher Aaron Myette was recalled from Oklahoma of the Pacific Coast League to replace him.
------------------
"Man may penetrate the outer reaches of the universe, he may solve the very secret of eternity itself, but for me, the ultimate human experience is to witness the flawless execution of a hit-and-run."
LETS GO METS!!!
HELP BE AN ADDICT AND CLICK ON AN AD!!