M's were unaware of Josh Leuke's criminal past

[TellItToTheDA]

Really? Something that takes a few clicks of the mouse, and they didn't know?

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm..._of_trade.html

The Mariners, it seems, were caught off guard by revelations that one of the four prospects they received in the Cliff Lee trade, Class AA pitcher Josh Lueke, had pleaded no contest to a charge of false imprisonment with violence against a woman who had gone to his apartment two years ago.

Mariners president Chuck Armstrong, who has along history of supporting women's groups and others who advocate against violence towards women, told me this morning he was stunned when news of the no-contest plea came out.

"I was not aware of that before we acquired him,'' Armstrong said. "And it is going to be addressed.''

Armstrong suggested I speak to GM Jack Zduriencik about how it was being addressed.

So, I spoke to Zduriencik moments ago, and he told me Lueke had been flown into Seattle by the team for a face-to-face meeting with him and minor league director Pedro Grifol. Zduriencik wouldn't say exactly when the interview took place, but I'm now told it was this morning and may actually still be ongoing.

"We had a degree of information and we have flown Josh in for a face-to-face,'' Zduriencik said. "We were satisfied with the interview and it's an issue that's behind us.''

[Igoe4Mariners]

I can't believe this. Everyone knew about it as soon as the trade went down.

[phredmojo]

everyone knew about it after the trade was completed, sure it was very soon after, but it was still after. except for Z who knew ahead of time. z fucked up big time by not telling his bosses of it. if chuckie and howie had known of his past (guilty or innocent) they would never have ok'ed the deal. they have (and should have) a zero tolerance for stuff like that. more then likely Leuke will be gone within a week or two. either by getting texas to substitute another player or by trading/releasing him. and Z will lose some of his signing/trading abilty while chuckie and howie examine every deal from here on out

[JosephC]

I think it was TellIttoTheDA who did two clicks to find he was convicted? I knew right away, too. Can Chuck and howie not use a computer? Ouch. These people are running our team?

[georgmi]

In fairness, Nintendo machines have only had Internet capabilities for a couple of years, and Armstrong and Lincoln are pretty old*. It's not like the team's owned by Microsoft or something.

*Not that that's an excuse. My parents have been in the computer business since the '60s.

[phredmojo]

I think it was TellIttoTheDA who did two clicks to find he was convicted? I knew right away, too. Can Chuck and howie not use a computer? Ouch. These people are running our team?

it's not their job to do that, it's Z's job to do it and to INFORM his bosses ahead of time. Z scxrewed up big time. i don't blame chuckie and howie one bit. i would have fired Z on the spot for it.

[TellItToTheDA]

it's not their job to do that, it's Z's job to do it and to INFORM his bosses ahead of time. Z scxrewed up big time. i don't blame chuckie and howie one bit. i would have fired Z on the spot for it.

Well thank God you're not the one running the Seattle Mariners. Something as miniscule (and that's what this is, miniscule) as a no contest plea from a AA pitcher does not constitute firing a GM who brought us Franklin Gutierrez, Chone Figgins, Cliff Lee (followed by Justin Smoak), Jason Vargas, and Brian Sweeney.

[phredmojo]

a no contest plea is the same as a conviction of rape, just without admitting it. rape or being accused of it is not a minuscule matter no matter if he's guilty or not guilty it the mariners have a well known zero tolerance (as they should) in regards to this. Z fuked up big time by knowing and not telling his bosses about his past prior to the trade. they would never have agreed to this player no matter what. so yes being fired over this would be more then justified.

[TellItToTheDA]

a no contest plea is the same as a conviction of rape, just without admitting it. rape or being accused of it is not a minuscule matter no matter if he's guilty or not guilty it the mariners have a well known zero tolerance (as they should) in regards to this. Z fuked up big time by knowing and not telling his bosses about his past prior to the trade. they would never have agreed to this player no matter what. so yes being fired over this would be more then justified.

Funny, considering they just brought Russell Branyan back.

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index...ng_domest.html

Former Cleveland Indians player Russell Branyan faces a trial on domestic violence charges next month.

Branyan, 32, who lives here part of the year with his wife Jill, was arrested Friday after he allegedly assaulted Jill in a car on Jan. 31.

Branyan pleaded not guilty to the charge Tuesday morning in Shaker Heights Municipal Court before Judge K.J. Montgomery. His trial is set for March 6.

Montgomery granted Jill Branyan's request for a temporary protection order.

Pepper Pike police Sgt. Joe Mariola said police were called to the parking lot of the Woodmere police station Jan. 31 after a Woodmere officer found Jill Branyan sitting alone in her car. She was crying.

The officer determined that the alleged assault took place in Pepper Pike.