The Rangers were trying to send a message to Padilla that the team and the front office weren't appreciative of the manner in which he has conducted himself at times especially against the Yankees in his next to last start. At times in the past, I believe that Padilla has intentionally thrown at batters when things weren't going well to either get removed from the game by his manager or removed from the game by the ump. The team felt as if he were quitting on them as well as leaving them out there to get retaliated against.
Did the Rangers believe that anyone would pick him up? Nope, not with his contract. I suppose they would have been ok with someone would have done so.. they probably would have been ecstatic.. but, they didn't believe that anyone would have claimed him off of waivers.. not for a second.
So, this was basically just the team sending him a message. Shape up or they'll eventually find a way to ship him out.
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