Chris Burke: The Downfall

Chris Burke's career hit a new low on March 29.

On this day, Burke was acquired by the Seattle Mariners for cash considerations to take place at the non-roster invite camps.

How much were the cash considerations, you ask? Well, exactly $1.00.

Chris Burke was traded to the Seattle Mariners for a buck. That won't even buy you a baseball. It won't buy you a bat. It won't buy you a hat.

Well, today Chris Burke was given back to the Padres for cash considerations.

How much were the cash considerations, you ask? Well, $1.25.

Chris Burke was a talented kid in college at the University of Tennessee, where he led his team to the College World Series in 2001. That year, Burke's Volunteers beat Mark Prior's Southern California Trojans. They ended up finishing third, as they were eliminated by the 2001 College World Series Champs, the Miami Hurricanes.

Chris Burke made such an impact, he was named to the All-Tournament team as shortstop, and was eventually drafted by the Houston Astros with the 10th pick in the 2001 Major League Draft.

He made his Major League Baseball debut with the Astros in 2004. In 2005, he was rated the top prospect in the Houston Astros system. That year, he was part of their World Series team roster.

He was eventually traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008, and signed with the Padres in 2009.

I have always liked Chris Burke as a player. He is a good all-around, versatile player, who can play every position on the field. He is a career max .250 hitter, doesn't hit heavy, and is probably best batting seventh or eighth in the lineup.

But he always has had the potential to be a star. In 2005, he hit the game-winning home run in the 18th inning of game four during the National League Divisional Series against the Atlanta Braves off then-rookie Joey Devine, now an Oakland Athletics prodigy.

I wish Chris Burke all the best in his career, and I hope the rest of the baseball fan-nation is rooting him on for success!