61.03 Blazers Bid Farewell to Iwamoto, Delgado, LeBlanc, Josh Miller
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2024 1:21 pm
Blazers starting pitcher Kinzo Iwamoto, catcher Felipe Delgado, and relief pitcher Josh Miller are now free agents after their contracts expired. Mike LeBlanc, who plays corner infield, was non-tendered by the club.
Kinzo Iwamoto
Iwamoto was a major part of the teams rotation the last four seasons, making 130 starts and going 59-33 with a 3.53 ERA (122 ERA+). At age 36, he shows no signs of slowing down. Blazers GM Erik Breum said that the team did not want to meet Iwamoto's demands for $42 million over four years. Sources suggest that the real reason that the club did not resign him is that they expect to receive a first-round compensation pick.
Felipe Delgado
Originally signed as a backup catcher to Calvin Johnson, the 39-year-old Delgado started 175 games over the last two seasons, hitting .249 (78 OPS+) while providing strong framing skills (+20 framing runs). Reports are that he was willing to return but that the club preferred 28-year-old Jamie Behnke, who was obtained in a waiver trade last season with Charm City.
Josh Miller
Miller refused to discuss a contract extension, insisting instead that he wanted to test free agency. He is asking for $7 million over three years. During his two years with Montreal, Miller appeared in 57 games with a 2.91 ERA (145 ERA+).
Mike LeBlanc
LeBlanc has the longest tenure in the organization, having arrived in trade before the 2056 season. He started in 126 games over the years, hitting .298/.319/.441 (101 OPS+). GM Bob Breum explained that LeBlanc "unfortunately plays the same positions as our two best hitters. We love Mike and wish him well but there was just no place for him on the current squad."
Kinzo Iwamoto
Iwamoto was a major part of the teams rotation the last four seasons, making 130 starts and going 59-33 with a 3.53 ERA (122 ERA+). At age 36, he shows no signs of slowing down. Blazers GM Erik Breum said that the team did not want to meet Iwamoto's demands for $42 million over four years. Sources suggest that the real reason that the club did not resign him is that they expect to receive a first-round compensation pick.
Felipe Delgado
Originally signed as a backup catcher to Calvin Johnson, the 39-year-old Delgado started 175 games over the last two seasons, hitting .249 (78 OPS+) while providing strong framing skills (+20 framing runs). Reports are that he was willing to return but that the club preferred 28-year-old Jamie Behnke, who was obtained in a waiver trade last season with Charm City.
Josh Miller
Miller refused to discuss a contract extension, insisting instead that he wanted to test free agency. He is asking for $7 million over three years. During his two years with Montreal, Miller appeared in 57 games with a 2.91 ERA (145 ERA+).
Mike LeBlanc
LeBlanc has the longest tenure in the organization, having arrived in trade before the 2056 season. He started in 126 games over the years, hitting .298/.319/.441 (101 OPS+). GM Bob Breum explained that LeBlanc "unfortunately plays the same positions as our two best hitters. We love Mike and wish him well but there was just no place for him on the current squad."
