Someone smarter than me is going to have to explain this one:
Reds catcher Ramon Hernandez was claimed on waivers by an unknown club but pulled back on Friday, according to Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman. Under the rules, that means Hernandez can’t be put through waivers again for the rest of the season, and he will remain in Cincinnati.
It’s a lost season, Hernandez will be gone at the end of the season anyway, and the Reds have a stud catcher waiting in the wings in AAA. Further, the 2012 Reds would benefit by giving said catcher (Devin Mesoraco) some major league at-bats this season, and letting him get some experience under his belt.
If you can get anything for Hernandez at this point, why wouldn’t you?
Listen, Ramon Hernandez has been an outstanding player for the Reds. He has performed way above anyone’s realistic expectations, and kudos to him for that…but I just don’t understand what the Reds could be thinking here. GM Walt Jocketty must know something I don’t.
Further, as Mark Sheldon notes:
This could create some questions heading into the offseason. Hernandez reportedly projects to be a Type A free agent, which means the Reds would get both a first-round and supplemental first-round pick as compensation if the club offers him arbitration, and he signs elsewhere. But if the Reds offer arbitration, Hernandez could be inclined to accept since teams might be wary of losing a high draft pick to sign a 35-year-old catcher.
Please, someone…explain this to me.