This is the hardest time of the year to be a general manager, coach, or especailly player on the fringe of making a ball club because as a player, after putting everything on the line for the past month, you are told that you aren't good enough. That may be the expected case for the younger players, but for the veterans who are cut, it could mean the end of a career. 

Monday, many teams made some cuts, and that means there are some decent players out on the market that could be used for depth or for a replacement because of injury. Most of the cuts Monday were veteran guys who are just trying to find a place.

Here are some of the big cuts that went down Monday:

  • Cincinnati Reds released RHP Paul Maholm

    • After not making the rotation in Cincinnati, the Reds have now decided to cut Maholm after having a very promising spring for the veteran lefty. He expressed that he wants to be in a starting rotation somewhere around the league, which could turn some teams away. Maholm is a quality back-of-the rotation starter and could help some teams out if not needed now, then down the road as the season progresses.
    •  

  • Seattle Mariners released RHP Kevin Correia

    • ​When the Mariners signed Corriea a couple of weeks back, it came as a surprise because he didn't really have a place anywhere on the club. The rotation in Seattle is very solid, and Correia just didn't fit in. He had some bad outings this spring for the Mariners, which ultimately sealed his fate in Seattle. There may not be much of a market for the 34-year old, who may have reached the end of the line after a rough 2014 season and Spring Training.
    •  

  • Cleveland Indians released LHP Scott Downs

    • ​The veteran lefty reliever signed a Minor-League deal back in December with Cleveland while looking to re-establish himself after a bad 2014 season. At age 38, he is now looking for a new club. If Downs still wants to give it a shot, he has a chance to sign another Minor League deal, perhaps with another club looking for a lefty specialist out of the bullpen. If a team needs depth in the bullpen, a lefty reliever like Downs would be a great fit.
    •  

  • Miami Marlins released OF Reed Johnson who turns right around and signs with the Washington Nationals

    • ​The veteran outfielder signed a Minor League deal back in February to return to Miami, but it looks as if that ship has sailed as the Marlins released Johnson Monday. There really wasn't a spot for him as Miami already has four other good outfielders on the roster. It didn't take Johnson long at all to find a new home as the Nationals stepped in and signed him right away. Washington signed him to a Minor League deal after he was cut, and Johnson could see this as a good move for him if Denard Span has to start the season on the DL.

As we can see, most of the big cuts today were veteran guys looking for a spot somewhere on a roster. There were some other youngsters sent down to AAA on multiple ball clubs around the league, but they will definitely see some Major League action in 2015. WIth Opening Day just a week away, rosters are dwindling down to 25, and we are just about ready for the 2015 regular season to get underway.