Post by specialk1307 on Jul 23, 2006 14:53:29 GMT -4
Williamson done as a Cub
BY PAUL SULLIVAN
Published July 23, 2006
WASHINGTON -- Scott Williamson's final act in a Cubs uniform was losing a game to Washington and complaining about the way he was used by manager Dusty Baker.
A couple of hours later, the 30-year-old right-hander was traded to San Diego for two Class A pitchers who may never see the major leagues.
Williamson was traded Saturday night for left-hander Fabian Jimenez Angulo and right-hander Joel Santo, no relation to the Cubs broadcaster.
Angulo, 19, was 5-7 with a 4.43 earned-run average at Class A Ft. Wayne, giving up 87 hits and 52 walks in 87 1/3 innings. Santo, 22, was 5-6 with a 5.51 ERA at Ft. Wayne, giving up 89 hits and 53 walks in 85 innings. Santo's "work ethic" had come under scrutiny in the Padres organization, and he reportedly sulked about being moved to the bullpen.
Williamson, one of the more valued set-up men until his recent problems, is 2-3 with a 5.08 ERA and allowed nine earned runs in eight innings since June, when he returned from a "tennis elbow" injury. Opponents have hit .353 against him in that span.
Efforts to reach general manager Jim Hendry for comment were unsuccessful.
Before he was traded, Williamson, who makes $2.5 million, complained he was uncomfortable being used in the fifth and sixth innings instead of later in games.
"Pitchers and players play at their best when they're comfortable," he said. "It's like anything in life. If you have a 9-to-5 job, you're comfortable going 9-to-5.
"If all of a sudden you have to get up at 4 in the morning, it's going to be a little different. It's no excuse. I still have to get guys out."
Earlier this year he told WSCR-AM 670 that Baker was prone to using pitchers who are "Dusty's guys."
The Cubs planned to call up relievers Michael Wuertz and David Aardsma from Iowa to take the roster spots of Williamson and starter Sean Marshall, who is headed for the disabled list.
BY PAUL SULLIVAN
Published July 23, 2006
WASHINGTON -- Scott Williamson's final act in a Cubs uniform was losing a game to Washington and complaining about the way he was used by manager Dusty Baker.
A couple of hours later, the 30-year-old right-hander was traded to San Diego for two Class A pitchers who may never see the major leagues.
Williamson was traded Saturday night for left-hander Fabian Jimenez Angulo and right-hander Joel Santo, no relation to the Cubs broadcaster.
Angulo, 19, was 5-7 with a 4.43 earned-run average at Class A Ft. Wayne, giving up 87 hits and 52 walks in 87 1/3 innings. Santo, 22, was 5-6 with a 5.51 ERA at Ft. Wayne, giving up 89 hits and 53 walks in 85 innings. Santo's "work ethic" had come under scrutiny in the Padres organization, and he reportedly sulked about being moved to the bullpen.
Williamson, one of the more valued set-up men until his recent problems, is 2-3 with a 5.08 ERA and allowed nine earned runs in eight innings since June, when he returned from a "tennis elbow" injury. Opponents have hit .353 against him in that span.
Efforts to reach general manager Jim Hendry for comment were unsuccessful.
Before he was traded, Williamson, who makes $2.5 million, complained he was uncomfortable being used in the fifth and sixth innings instead of later in games.
"Pitchers and players play at their best when they're comfortable," he said. "It's like anything in life. If you have a 9-to-5 job, you're comfortable going 9-to-5.
"If all of a sudden you have to get up at 4 in the morning, it's going to be a little different. It's no excuse. I still have to get guys out."
Earlier this year he told WSCR-AM 670 that Baker was prone to using pitchers who are "Dusty's guys."
The Cubs planned to call up relievers Michael Wuertz and David Aardsma from Iowa to take the roster spots of Williamson and starter Sean Marshall, who is headed for the disabled list.