The Jose Vidro Era came to an unceremonious end in Seattle on Tuesday when the struggling DH was designated for assignment. The M's can try to work out a trade for Vidro, but it's virtually unthinkable that any team would take on Vidro's contract in return for a player that has posted a .612 OPS on the season.
Vidro was once considered perhaps the best offensive second baseman in the National League, as he racked up three All-Star appearances by the age of 28. He hit a career-high 24 home runs in 2000 and hit over .300 in each of his first five full seasons. Despite this year's struggles, he still has a .298 career batting average and .804 career OPS.
While Vidro never recaptured his power after injuries slowed him down in 2005, he did have a somewhat productive season in 2007 with the Mariners, putting up a .314/.381/.394 line with six home runs and 59 RBI.
But everything went downhill this season, as Jose put up some of the worst offensive numbers in all of baseball. Only a recent streak of success pushed his OPS above the .600 mark.
Vidro will be replaced on the roster by Wladimir Balentien, who hit .200/.264/.345 in 33 games with the Mariners earlier this season. Balentien has been hot as of late in AAA Tacoma and should be a bit more relaxed in his second stint with the big club.