This is GM Voice Memo number 3.
Well, I did it. The season ended, and I called that little a-hole (Mutsuhito) Imai into my office and told him I was putting his ass on waivers and to get the hell out of the facility.
Can’t have that. Just can’t.
I mean, Imai is a decent enough pitcher – his ratings are very good (8-8-5), and his stats were pretty good (3.93 FIP, 0.9 WAR, 4.03 ERA). But he ain’t as valuable to me as Juan Nicto, for God’s sake. And the clubhouse morale was only a tick or two higher than the engine room of the Titanic.
So, out you go, Mutsuhito.
My assistant GM wondered why I didn’t just try to trade him, but I don’t like to do business that way. And, to tell you the truth, I didn’t want him on the roster a minute longer than he had to be.
If no one claims him, I’ll shove his ass so deep in the minors he’ll wonder if he’ll ever see light again.
Was it a stupid move? Maybe. But I’ll tell you what: Nicto finally talked extension when he heard Imai was on his way out. And this morning I got Juan's signature on a one-year contract (my favorite kind) for $8.7 million.
Imai: Waiver bound
Lord knows there were enough warning signs on Mutsuhito: his psych profile rates him low on leadership, loyalty, work ethic and intelligence, and rates him high on greed. Lovely. The little blurb on his scouting sheet says, “Imai has very little loyalty, lacks drive, and is slow to learn from experience. He doesn’t tend to make many friends.”
Um, no. No he doesn’t.
So, Mutsuhito, enjoy the waiver life.
You’ve earned it.
[Recording Ends]
