Victor, please explain this whole process to our readers.
I seriously doubt they understand how a player can be designated for assignment (dumped) and then rejected by every Major League Baseball team that could sign him for FREE.
“I’m sorry,” they said.
No interest.
But then that same player – without medical help or alien visits – signs a two- or three-year contract with one of the teams that said no.
You’d think that a lone team with two key players out injured would give this guy a few weeks to see if he could play – you know, when the price was zero.
Zero.
No idea.
“Guys, I brought my own equipment. I won’t even cost you the price of a jock strap.”
Um.
Still nothing.
Hey, it worked for Willie Mays Hayes in the movie “The Last Jedi.”
Maybe our guy had some nice at-bats in the Baja California League that are stored on tape in a closet somewhere.
I have to admit, though, that even though I was excited and wrote about this outfielder—and even suggested the Mariners give him a chance—the numbers didn’t look good.
Hello, Victor Robles.
Great speed, defense, throwing arm, accomplished baserunner, and by all accounts, a great teammate.
Unfortunately, his shots looked like he was using his racket (any racket) as a rudder.
After 14 games of his seventh season with the Nats – including all seven thrilling games in center field when they won the 2019 World Series – Washington quit.
It had be painful.
“If we don’t have Victor, we’re not going to win the World Series,” Washington manager Davey Martinez said. “Somehow a team will get him and have a special player on the roster.”
When you hear a phrase like “convict him,” you immediately think the guy is a bad actor, a social problem, someone on probation for domestic violence, or something along those lines.
The Nationals, however, insist that Robles is simply a great character.
Fun.
Great to have in the clubhouse.
Could it be because Victor was having TOO much fun and not working hard enough on his game?
“I can’t imagine that’s possible,” Martinez said. “He’s out there working as hard as anyone.”
However, the numbers don’t lie, and Robles seemed to be in a crisis that had no end in sight.
He doesn’t hit home runs, but (like many Mariners) he can have a slump where he swings too hard.
In 14 games with Washington this season, Victor had three hits, for a batting average of .120, and his OPS was .401.
No one was shocked when he was released.
No one was shocked when he was not picked up.
There was some shock when Seattle filed a claim after Robles had gone through the entire process.
There were scouts and personnel people who thought Seattle might grab a cheap defenseman/backup runner without using one of their own minor league players.
WHY NOT?
The reason was that Julio Rodriguez and Dominic Canzone were both out due to injuries.
They needed someone to wear a Mariners uniform, and the Moose was busy with public relations duties.
It sounds like we’re joking, but when the outfield is shorthanded, Robles can play all three positions WAY above major league average.
Seriously, it’s handy to have him around.
Seattle’s front office could have easily signed Robles as a fullback/runner for all of his team’s close games.
Without being heartless, they probably thought that it wouldn’t matter if Victor was interested in hitting, or that they didn’t have a full-time spot for him.
Except.
Robles didn’t get the memo about just sitting around.
Victor can be funny – less than a week ago he was a real hoot wearing a microphone on Sunday Night Baseball – but he takes the game seriously.
He meant EVERY game, not just Sunday.
“This team can win anything. There’s talent and the atmosphere in Seattle is cool.”
The message was received.
“He wants us to know we’re good enough to win anything,” catcher Cal Raleigh said. “It doesn’t hurt when it comes from a guy who’s done it.”
Robles has promised manager Scott Servais that he will work to regain his lost momentum.
Remember, this is a player who was selected just ahead of Juan Soto in the MLB Draft.
Aside from all the fun (imagine Robles, Julio and Randy Arozarena in the same outfield), Victor wants to start winning again.
Since Robles has now signed a contract for two more years – with a team option for a third year – the outfield of the “Three Amigos” could technically be with the Mariners for three years.
At least.
“Great times,” Robles said, “but only if we win.”
Email: [email protected]
Steve Cameron’s Cheap Seats columns appear four times a week in The Press, usually Tuesday to Friday unless there is something happening.
Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”
