Braves Sign Scott Spiezio to a Minor League Contract

by gondeee on Apr 1, 2008 10:01 AM EDT Comment 9 comments

The following is from a Braves press release:

Atlanta Braves Executive Vice President and General Manager Frank Wren announced today that the Braves have agreed to terms with infielder/outfielder Scott Spiezio on a minor league contract for the 2008 season. Financial terms of the deal were not announced. Spiezio will begin the season with Triple-A Richmond, which opens play on Thursday (April 3) against Rochester.

Spiezio, 35, has appeared in 1,274 career games with four different clubs since 1996. He owns a .255 career batting average, 119 home runs and 549 RBIs and has collected two World Series rings – with the Anaheim Angels in 2002 and with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006. Spiezio was released by the Cardinals on February 27 following an off-the-field incident that occurred this past off-season.

"After talking with Scott this past weekend and meeting with him this afternoon, we feel he is sincere in his contrition and we are willing to give him a second chance," Wren said. "Scott will workout in Rome (A) tomorrow and then report to our Richmond club on Wednesday."

Spiezio made the following statement:

"I am very embarrassed and sorry for what happened in the off-season. I have taken steps, including treatment, to ensure it will not happen again. I have taken full responsibility and I am making restitution to the people I have hurt. I am very appreciative of the second chance I’ve been given. The Braves have made no promises to me, except to give me the opportunity to prove that I have made amends and that I can still perform at this level."

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Now that I've had some time..

..to think about this. This is a low risk, high reward move. Listen if he relapses they release him and it's done. If for some reason he does get his shit together, more power too him. But, (and there's always a but) I think that he needs to stay tucked away in Triple A for the entire season.

Two Teams, Two Coasts - One Obsession

by RainDelay on Apr 1, 2008 12:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed.

I think he can help us if he gets his act together. He deserves a chance and I trust Wren knows what he's doing by signing him. I agree, that at this point it is low risk-high reward. We are not depending on him for anything, but if it pans out it could be like finding a 10-dollar bill in your pocket. Also think unless we are desperate this year, AAA is where he stays.

However, if he can't keep it together, then I say we don't waste time in sending him to the house.

by jug on Apr 1, 2008 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spiezio

He was always one of my favorite Angels when I was living in Los Angeles and he is one of those guys that championship caliber teams have on their roster.

I like this move quite a bit.

"It is like Menudo, where guys reach a certain age and are kicked out of the band. And they go on to be Ricky Martins somewhere else." -Billy Beane

by Stephen Webb on Apr 1, 2008 1:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Spez...

I've been in St Louis for about five years now (and if i cant be with my bravos, this is about the best baseball town i could ask for) and I've been impressed with Spezio.

Now, i know he's had some rocky times, and he made some bad choices, but when he played, he played with a vengence. He wanted to start every game, he wants to be a difference maker, and he wants to get his life back on track.

Mimicking Rain Delay - this is a high reward, low risk opportunity for us, and, i think that he could do well in this positive environment.

by traphicg on Apr 1, 2008 1:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

uhhh

well, at least he's better than chris woodward and craig wilson.

by bigjoe on Apr 1, 2008 3:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah, he's better at...

showing up to games coked out of his gourd, dying his soul patch red, and getting wasted and driving around

Also, the reward is not that high. The teams he was on won championships because they had other, better players, not because Spiezio dyed his facial hair team colors.

by zwillis on Apr 1, 2008 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh no

don't get me wrong, i'm at the top of the "WHYYYYYYYYYYYYY?" bandwagon right now...but he IS still an upgrade over the garbage we called a bench last year.

by bigjoe on Apr 1, 2008 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BP

PECOTA has his weighted mean at .259/.340/.413 if he can accumulate 235 PAs. If he could be that on our bench while filling in at the corners, as a switch hitter, he'll be worth a run over what our options at 1B/3B/LF are (Pena and Thorman really).

I'm glad we gave him a shot though. Addiction is a monstrous thing that consumes people. I'd rather the Braves be there helping him along, giving him some structure in his life and possibly getting some late season benefits off the bench, than have him sitting at home using.

by 17843 on Apr 2, 2008 12:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yup...

..and if he doesn't do it the Braves way, he'll be shown the door. They don't take risks like this often, and will cut bait at the first sign of trouble.

Two Teams, Two Coasts - One Obsession

by RainDelay on Apr 2, 2008 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs