from www.mlb.com:
Logan Morrison(former Greensboro Grasshopper) was shocked to learn of his demotion. Despite batting just .249, the 23-year-old is considered a key piece to the Marlins’ future and has hit in the heart of their order all season.
“I’m heartbroken. Disappointed,” Morrison said.
Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest, along with general manager Michael Hill, director of baseball operations Michael Wickham and McKeon delivered the news to Morrison after the Saturday game, and the young outfielder did not take it well.
“I was about to get treatment on my knee and my arm that I just left on the warning track, but I got called into the office right there,” Morrison said. “I had no idea what it was. They said, ‘We exercised the right to option you to Triple-A,’ and I walked out.”
Morrison asked for the reasoning behind the team’s decision, and he feels he did not get much of a response.
“They didn’t give me anything,” Morrison said. “I asked for an explanation and the one I got was, ‘What are you hitting, .240?'”
“They didn’t say anything about maybe the reason why I was hitting .240 is because I was getting a guy in from third by rolling over ground balls and not worrying about average and just trying to get the run in,” Morrison said. “Am I going to say that I’ve had the best of years or the year that I wanted to have? Absolutely not.”
Morrison believes there was more to the move than just his offensive struggles. An avid Twitter user that has drawn criticism from team president David Samson for his tweets, Morrison does not believe the demotion was a result of anything related to that.
“I don’t think it’s that,” Morrison said. “I think it was something else, but I don’t even know if I want to say it now. I want to talk to my agent and stuff like that.”
MIAMI — Logan Morrison’s demotion Saturday night caused an uproar from Marlins fans.
On Sunday, Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest explained the organization’s thinking on sending Morrison to Triple-A New Orleans.
“We thought it was in the best interest for Logan to go down and work on things,” Beinfest said. “He needs to concentrate on all aspects of being a Major Leaguer and work his way back.”
Morrison, who was highly regarded as a hitter in the Minors, was batting just .249 when he was sent down. His offensive struggles were surprising to many, including Beinfest.
“I never thought we’d see Logan hitting in the .240s, ever,” Beinfest said. “Obviously, he’s a much better hitter than he’s shown. I’m not going to pin that on it as a specific, but he needs to work on all aspects of being a Major Leaguer, and then he’ll come back here.”
The transaction came as a complete surprise to Morrison and his agent, Fred Wray.
Wray plans on discussing the situation with the MLB Players Association on Monday morning to see if there is any grounds for a grievance.
Reached by phone on Sunday night, Wray added: “Any speculation about a grievance is just that. But we do plan on consulting with the Players Association [Monday].”
The grievance process can be lengthy, and in the meantime, Wray added that Morrison is accepting the option and he plans on playing for the New Orleans Zephyrs. The agent said the outfielder is prepared to work on his game and hopes to be ready for a return to the big leagues whenever the team seems fit.
The Marlins optioned Morrison on a day the outfielder didn’t attend a meet-and-greet with season ticket holders. Earlier in the day, the outfielder attended an autograph session that ran longer than scheduled.
Morrison on Saturday discussed the meet-and-greet with Wes Helms, the team’s union representative. Helms informed the 23-year-old outfielder that he didn’t have to attend the event.
When the Marlins optioned Morrison, the team also released Helms.
In addressing reporters earlier on Sunday, Beinfest did not refute claims that some off-the-field issues factored into Morrison being optioned.
“We had what we felt were solid, good reasons that we felt would be productive for him to go down,” Beinfest said. “He just needs to concentrate on playing baseball and work his way back here.”
The Marlins have a lot of confidence in Morrison, and they still believe he will reach the success they envision for him.
“He’s going to be a good player for a long time,” Beinfest said. “The talent is there and he’s going to be a good player for a long time. We just thought it was the right thing to do for him.”
The Marlins mess with their players way too much. It messes with a players head when you yoyo them up and down. They need to take a lesson from ATL on leaving a player alone and letting them snap out of it themselves, ala Dan Uggla…