Petit and Slaten claimed off waivers by the M's and the Nats respectively...

Tracy's option declined

Daniel Cabrera removed from 40 man roster, becomes a FA

Oltjen and Romero removed from 40 man roster, assigned to AAA. Romero has the option to become a FA rather than accept his assignment.

No great suprises here. We all knew Tracy and Cabrera were gone. I'm a little suprised to see Romero taken off the 40 man after the way he played late this year. I'd like to see him back. He's great defensively at all 3 OF positions, a good runner, and really improved on offense this year. Although I certainly understand if he wants to move on. He's been stuck in a logjam since the day he got here. I'd like to see him get a chance to play more often, be it here, or elsewhere. Oltjen was a no brainer. With the current OF crunch and our contractual control over him, no need to waste a roster space.

A little sad to see Petit go. He really handled his time here like a pro. I thought he was a pretty valuable peice for us because of his versitility. He's certainly replaceable, but I liked having him here. I wish him the best with the M's. Slaten just didn't have a future here. Not really very upset about him leaving. We have Schlereth who is just as good as he is now, and who has 10 times the upside.

Comments?? This board is just about as dead as I have ever seen it...

I think the biggest emotion is relieved.  One the season is behind us.  Two Tracy and Cabrera are done deals, and not "on their way out".  I never cared for Cabrera, but it was a sad road for Tracy and I hope this is the end of this chapter and he can do his thing and be successful somewhere else (and not against us).  The Roster moves of Oltjen and Romero, I think, were fairly obvious moves.  Oltjen for the reasons already mentioned, but for Romero, I think it is the way Co-Jack is playing and showing he's finally healthy and back to his old form, which is plate discipline and high batting average that is sorely needed in our line-up.  He'll likely start in LF but be a back up for Allen should he not make the grade,  I think Romero was assured that he'd still get a look at ST and that CoJack isn't a garauntee and even if he comes back, Allen is no garauntee, so there is still a lot of oppertunity with this team for him.

Now Petit and Slaten are a little on the dissappointing side.  I say a little because it is only a little.  Slaten isn't a loss because he is easily replaceable and while Petit is also replaceable it is a same we got nothing for him, not that I'd need much but I think he's worth a young middle relief prospect at maybe the High A or AA level.  But that isn't really as important as the possible replacements to those roster spots.  If we decide to make a splash and try to compete in 2010, then those spots themselves become more valueble than what we could have gotten in return if we had tried to trade Petit.

I gotta agree that none of these could go in the "surprising" category. We knew Tracy and Cabrera weren't coming back. I am happy to see someone take Slaten away so now I wont get nauseous when he comes in. I cant say I am mad to see Petit gone but it would've been nice to see how he did in the spring to at least see if he had anything more to offer. I think pitching up in Safeco should help him though. I figured Oeltjen would be removed and I thought Romero might. I like Romero though and hope he doesn't elect for free agency.

Beat me to the punch on the safeco thing.