March 31, 200422 yr Florida Marlins Release Brian Banks By MARK LONG AP Sports Writer Posted March 31 2004, 12:46 PM EST JUPITER, Fla. -- Outfielder Brian Banks was released by the Florida Marlins on Wednesday, two days before he was scheduled to have right knee surgery. Banks was hurt early in spring training but kept playing because he didn't think it was serious. The pain persisted more than two weeks before tests Monday revealed bone fragments and a team doctor determined Banks needed surgery. The Marlins gave Banks termination pay and offered him a minor league contract to remain with the club, rehabilitate in Jupiter, then play at Triple-A Albuquerque. Banks will weigh his options, but he expects to re-sign with the team. "I know that's part of the business. It's nothing personal," he said Wednesday. "I've got a good relationship with the guys here, the front office and the coaches. I like them, they like me. It just comes down to a financial move. I'll just take it as it is and try to get back healthy." Banks said he could be out from three weeks to three months, depending on the results of Friday's surgery. The versatile backup went 5-for-31 (.161) this spring. The 33-year-old switch-hitter hit .235 with four home runs and 23 RBIs in 92 games last year. "I just have to take it as it's a bump in the road," he said. "I have to go play in Triple-A, bide my time and understand it's a numbers situation. I still view myself as a big-league ballplayer who for the time being has to play in Triple-A." Banks' injury helps settle the Marlins' bench spots. Abraham Nunez and pinch-hitting specialist Lenny Harris probably will be the backup outfielders. Wil Cordero offers depth at first base and outfield. And Mike Mordecai and Damion Easley probably will be the reserve infielders.
March 31, 200422 yr So long Banky boy. lol It was a nice run while it lasted. :crying Hopefully he signs a minor league contract with us and gives us that extra insurance should anyone get hurt.
March 31, 200422 yr He has been offered the minor league contract. The article is on FloridaMarlins.com
March 31, 200422 yr 03/31/2004 12:17 PM ET Banks offered minor league deal By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com Tickets Scoreboard Fantasy Brian Banks (right) is scheduled to undergo knee surgery Friday. (AP) FORT LAUDERDALE -- The Marlins released veteran outfielder Brian Banks Wednesday morning and offered the 33-year-old a minor league contract. The switch-hitting Banks was among the team's most popular players and he contributed off the bench to last year's World Series championship team. Banks has struggled this spring, in part due to a knee injury that was disclosed on Monday. On Friday, Banks is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove bone fragments in his right knee. The Marlins have offered Banks termination pay and have invited him to go through rehabilitation under the team's supervision. Banks said he would decide in a few days whether to accept the minor league contract. "I'll weigh my options in the short term, but because of my relationship with the organization, I see no reason not to sign back with the team," Banks said. "We'll probably decide that in the next couple of days." Bothered by the knee this spring, Banks hit .161 in Grapefruit League games, going 5-for-31 with three RBIs. He tweaked the knee early in spring chasing down a ball in the outfield. Banks broke in with the Brewers in 1996. Last year with the Marlins he saw limited action but hit .235 with four home runs and 23 RBIs in 92 games. He is versatile, able to play first base, left and right fields. In case of an emergency he can catch. "I know that's part of the business," Banks said of being released. "It's nothing personal. I've got a good relationship with the guys here, the front office and the coaches. I like them, they like me. It just comes down to a financial move. I'll just take it as it is and try to get back healthy. That's the No. 1 thing for me right now. I'll go through the surgery Friday and see what comes out of it and what kind of timeframe we're looking at and get back playing as quick as possible." The addition of Wil Cordero hurt Banks' chances of making the squad. The Marlins now will likely carry Cordero and switch-hitter Abraham Nunez as their backup outfielders. Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
March 31, 200422 yr I'm guessing this will free up the spot on the 40-man roster to add Lenny Harris.
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