Padres to Part Ways with Jason Bartlett
By John Parent
According to Jeff Sanders of the North County Times, the San Diego Padres have requested unconditional release waivers on shortstop Jason Bartlett. Bartlett, who was in the second year of a two-year, $11 million deal signed in December of 2010, has been limited to just 98 plate appearances this season following a dismal 2011 campaign. Last season, the slick-fielding shortstop produced a .245/.308/.307 line in over 600 plate appearances.
The Padres have long since moved on from Bartlett and their fans have been ready for this news seemingly since the trade with Tampa Bay was made. As Jorge Arangure said:
Bartlett’s contract called for a vesting option for 2013. While the Padres will not have to worry about that money, they will still owe Bartlett a $1.5 million buyout of that option.
For all things Padres, see Chicken Friars.
John Parent is the Senior Director of Human Resources for the FanSided Network. He can be reached at john.parent@fansided.com or via twitter @JohnJParent.