Wilfredo Ledezma - Detroit Tigers (2003-2007)

Subject: Wilfredo Ledezma - Detroit Tigers (2003-2007) Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:08 pm

Wilfredo Ledezma

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wilfredo Jose Ledezma (born January 21, 1981 in Guárico State, Venezuela) is a pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the San Diego Padres. He bats and throws left-handed.

As of the end of the 2005 season, Ledezma has compiled a Major League record of 9-14 with 108 strikeouts and a 5.73 ERA in 187.0 innings. Most of his professional career thus far has been spent in the minor leagues.

Ledezma was originally signed by the Boston Red Sox in 1998. He was taken by the Tigers in the 2002 Rule 5 draft.

2006 season

Ledezma obtained his first win in 2006 as a relief pitcher against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 25. His first Major League start occurred on August 7, 2006, as a last-minute replacement for rookie starter Justin Verlander. He threw for 5 2/3 innings and gave up no runs to the opposing team, the Cleveland Indians. Ledezma was also the winning pitcher in game 4 of the ALCS.

One of the most bizarre moments of the 2006 season occurred when Ledezma was given a rare spot start on September 8. After giving up five earned runs in 4.1 innings, an obviously distressed Ledezma returned to the dugout and proceeded to dismantle and, literally, eat his hat.[1] The episode received little comment (aside from an awkward moment in the FSN broadcast of the game), which might well be best for everyone involved.

2007 season

Ledezma was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Atlanta Braves for Macay McBride on June 20, 2007. On July 13, 2007, he was placed on the restricted list.[2] He had gone home to Venezuela during the All-Star break, during which he accidentally damaged his visa and passport in the washing machine. The Braves activated him from the restricted list on July 19, 2007.

Ledezma was designated for assignment on July 29th by the Braves. He was 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA in 12 appearances for Atlanta.

On July 31, 2007, Ledezma was traded along with Will Startup to the San Diego Padres for reliever Royce Ring

Teams

* Detroit Tigers (2003-2007)
* Atlanta Braves (2007)
* San Diego Padres (2007-present)

----------------------------------------------------------
Salaries Leaders

2003	Detroit Tigers	$300,000
2005	Detroit Tigers	$335,000
2007	Detroit Tigers	$415,000

2008

San Diego

$620,000

Aww I liked Wil! His son was adorable!

at least he is making more $$
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Padres agree on deal with Ledezma
Bard, Greene are San Diego's remaining arbitration cases
By Corey Brock / MLB.com

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Padres avoided arbitration on Friday with left-handed pitcher Wilfredo Ledezma, leaving the team with two players in salary arbitration.

The Padres agreed to a one-year deal with Ledezma for $620,000. Ledezma, acquired last July from the Braves, had a 6.28 ERA in nine games, including one start after the trade.

Ledezma is a candidate for the Padres' fifth starter spot in the rotation or possibly a role in the bullpen.

The Padres submitted their arbitration offers for catcher Josh Bard and shortstop Khalil Greene on Friday. Those players filed for arbitration earlier this week.

The Padres' offer to Bard was $1.85 million while Bard's representation countered at $2.5 million. Greene was offered $4 million while his representation countered at $4.9 million.

The arbitration hearings will begin Feb. 1 in St. Petersburg, Fla.
_________________
bow

Ledezma designated for assignment
Lefty ineffective as starter; Thatcher recalled from Portland
By Corey Brock / MLB.com

SAN DIEGO - The Padres parted ways with pitcher Wil Ledezma on Tuesday, designating him for assignment.

Ledezma, who was 0-2 with a 5.04 ERA in 14 games, struggled mightily with command, especially over his six starts, where he was 0-2 with a 6.57 ERA.

San Diego has recalled left-handed reliever Joe Thatcher to take Ledezma's spot on the 25-man roster. Thatcher is 0-4 with a 7.45 ERA in 17 games with San Diego this season. He had a 2.00 ERA in eight games with Triple-A Portland.

The Padres have 10 days to trade, release or place Ledezma on waivers.

"Wil has thrown the ball well at times, and at other times, he wasn't so consistent," Padres manager Bud Black said. "I think there were flashes of what we think that Wil can do. It could [still] crystallize for him."

It just might not be with the Padres, who traded reliever Royce Ring to the Braves last July for Ledezma.

Ledezma appeared in only nine games following the trade. Ledezma worked closely with pitching coach Darren Balsley in Spring Training on his delivery in order to improve his command.

It looked like it had worked, as Ledezma had a 3.15 ERA in his first eight relief outings this season. But he struggled once he went into the starting rotation.

In his final game as a Padre, Ledezma allowed five runs on six hits over four innings in earning a no-decision on Sunday in a game San Diego won 8-6.

"He's put in the work, he's tried to do a number of things Darren has suggested," Black said. "It just hasn't happened consistently. He'll be the first to tell you that he needs the consistency to be the pitcher he wants to."
_________________
bow

Poor Wil
_________________

I feel bad for him...wonder what he will do next.
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Ummm...well...I know a team that might be in need of an experienced starting pitcher....maybe after Saturday, we may hear more about him....lol
_________________
"I'm glad we're in the other division," Terry Francona, manager of the East-winning Boston Red Sox, told the Associated Press. "That lineup just got scary."

Well, they said they will give Bonine several starts before deciding if he is ready. Firat game jitters, and all.

Yeah....they need to give him more than one shot. But it would be nice to see Wil get picked up by someone. He's been effective before, and can be again.
_________________
"I'm glad we're in the other division," Terry Francona, manager of the East-winning Boston Red Sox, told the Associated Press. "That lineup just got scary."

Wouldnt particularly surprise me if we picked him up to be honest.
_________________
"We only work three hours a day, so the least we can do is give 100 percent."

Todd Jones

that would be good...we let him go in the first place!
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

It would be nice to have him at least in the bullpen for mop-up duty. Other than Miner...I don't think we really have anyone for that role. Bautista is an "ok" option, but then you've spent him for a couple of days.
_________________
"I'm glad we're in the other division," Terry Francona, manager of the East-winning Boston Red Sox, told the Associated Press. "That lineup just got scary."