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11-25-2004, 12:05 AM
<b><font size=4>Brewers release Bennett</font>
Club waives catcher, adds right-hander</b>
St. Louis - The Milwaukee Brewers dropped catcher Gary Bennett from their 40-man roster Thursday and claimed right-hander Derrick Turnbow off waivers from the Anaheim Angels.
General manager Doug Melvin said he wanted to open a roster spot and keep his options open to look for another catcher. Thus, he decided to ask outright waivers on Bennett, who opted to become a free agent rather than accept an assignment to the minors.
Bennett, 32, batted .224 with three home runs and 20 runs batted in while seeing action in 75 games. The Brewers have the option of negotiating a deal for 2005 with him but probably will look elsewhere.
"I talked to Gary and told him we'd keep open communication," said Melvin. "I don't have the answer (as to the Brewers' catching plans) right now. We'll see what happens on the market."
Turnbow, 26, made four relief appearances for the Angels this season and did not allow a run. He spent most of the year at Class AAA Salt Lake City, where he was 2-6 with a 5.06 ERA and six saves in 46 appearances (three starts).
Turnbow made 39 appearances with the Angels, going 2-0 with a 3.17 ERA.
Asked why the Angels might have placed Turnbow on waivers, Melvin said, "It's a matter of command. That's his biggest thing. But he's got a good arm.
"We decided to take a chance on a live arm. We've found guys in the past that have helped us."
Turnbow made news when he was one of two minor leaguers to fail an Olympic drug test when trying out for Team USA's qualifying team in 2003. Olympic athletes are tested for a wide array of drugs, and Melvin said he was assured by Angels general manager Bill Stoneman that Turnbow would not have violated baseball's drug policy.
"It wasn't steroids," said Melvin. "He had some elbow problems in the past and might have been on medication of some kind.
"I was aware of it, but Bill said they had nothing to hide. He said it was nothing to worry about. He told me Turnbow is a good kid."
As expected, the Brewers declined the $4.25 million option for 2005 on the contract of shortstop Craig Counsell and opted to pay the $250,000 buyout. Counsell will be eligible to file for free agency after the World Series.
Melvin said earlier that he still might negotiate a new deal with Counsell, 34, who batted .241 with two homers and 23 RBI in 140 games this year.
Melvin also said Ed Romero was leaving his position as a roving infield instructor in the Brewers' farm system to take the same job with the Florida Marlins. Romero lives near Florida's training complex and wanted to be closer to home, according to Melvin.
Club waives catcher, adds right-hander</b>
St. Louis - The Milwaukee Brewers dropped catcher Gary Bennett from their 40-man roster Thursday and claimed right-hander Derrick Turnbow off waivers from the Anaheim Angels.
General manager Doug Melvin said he wanted to open a roster spot and keep his options open to look for another catcher. Thus, he decided to ask outright waivers on Bennett, who opted to become a free agent rather than accept an assignment to the minors.
Bennett, 32, batted .224 with three home runs and 20 runs batted in while seeing action in 75 games. The Brewers have the option of negotiating a deal for 2005 with him but probably will look elsewhere.
"I talked to Gary and told him we'd keep open communication," said Melvin. "I don't have the answer (as to the Brewers' catching plans) right now. We'll see what happens on the market."
Turnbow, 26, made four relief appearances for the Angels this season and did not allow a run. He spent most of the year at Class AAA Salt Lake City, where he was 2-6 with a 5.06 ERA and six saves in 46 appearances (three starts).
Turnbow made 39 appearances with the Angels, going 2-0 with a 3.17 ERA.
Asked why the Angels might have placed Turnbow on waivers, Melvin said, "It's a matter of command. That's his biggest thing. But he's got a good arm.
"We decided to take a chance on a live arm. We've found guys in the past that have helped us."
Turnbow made news when he was one of two minor leaguers to fail an Olympic drug test when trying out for Team USA's qualifying team in 2003. Olympic athletes are tested for a wide array of drugs, and Melvin said he was assured by Angels general manager Bill Stoneman that Turnbow would not have violated baseball's drug policy.
"It wasn't steroids," said Melvin. "He had some elbow problems in the past and might have been on medication of some kind.
"I was aware of it, but Bill said they had nothing to hide. He said it was nothing to worry about. He told me Turnbow is a good kid."
As expected, the Brewers declined the $4.25 million option for 2005 on the contract of shortstop Craig Counsell and opted to pay the $250,000 buyout. Counsell will be eligible to file for free agency after the World Series.
Melvin said earlier that he still might negotiate a new deal with Counsell, 34, who batted .241 with two homers and 23 RBI in 140 games this year.
Melvin also said Ed Romero was leaving his position as a roving infield instructor in the Brewers' farm system to take the same job with the Florida Marlins. Romero lives near Florida's training complex and wanted to be closer to home, according to Melvin.