WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Clint Robinson had six weeks to prepare for the news he didn't make the Nationals opening day roster. He all but knew it when the team signed Adam Lind - a carbon-copy of himself as a player, just with more of a track record of success, not to mention a guaranteed contract - on the eve of spring training reporting day.
That didn't lessen the sting this afternoon, though, when Robinson officially got the word. He has been placed on waivers, and is now en route with his family to his home in Fayetteville, Ark., where he'll wait 72 hours to find out whether another team claims him. If not, the Nationals will outright him to Triple-A, at which point Robinson can decide whether to report to Syracuse or decline the assignment and become a free agent.
"Absolutely, it's tough," he said after packing his gear and making a lap around the clubhouse to give hugs to teammates. "Just 'cause when you're with a team for a couple years - and this was my first extended time in the big leagues - the friendships I've made and the good teammates I've had, saying bye to them is pretty tough. I enjoy being here. I love all these guys."
The Nationals loved Robinson, too, from his feel-good story of making the big leagues for the first time on a full-time basis in 2015 at age 30 to the production he provided at the plate during his rookie season to the down-to-earth vibe he brought to the clubhouse.
But they would have loved a little more production out of him last season, when he batted just .235 and did not record an extra-base hit in 116 plate appearances after the All-Star break.
Given the desire to have more of a sure thing backing up Ryan Zimmerman at first base, the Nationals signed Lind (who has six 20-homer seasons in the majors) to a one-year contract on Feb. 13 that guarantees him $1.5 million, plus incentives and a $5 million mutual option for 2018.
That essentially sealed Robinson's fate before camp even began, though the Nationals kept him in uniform throughout, in case he clearly outperformed his fellow left-handed slugger or something else unforeseen occurred.
"That's part of the game," said Robinson, who previously was let go by the Royals and Dodgers. "The job of the organization is to try to get better and to bring players in. There's always competition. It's not meant to be easy. They're not going to do you any favors. They're doing what they think to make the team better. It's like that in every organization. It's like that every day in baseball. There's always competition. They have to make decisions, and I respect that. It just wasn't my time this time."
With Lind now assured of a spot on the opening day bench, the Nationals likely have one remaining roster spot for a position player, with the decision coming down to outfielder Michael A. Taylor or infielder Wilmer Difo. This move also clears a spot on the 40-man roster, which could be used to add one of several non-roster invitee pitchers still trying to make the team: Vance Worley, Jeremy Guthrie and Jacob Turner chief among them.
Typically, a player remains with his team throughout the 72-hour waivers process, but the Nationals let Robinson drive with his wife and their young daughter back home to Arkansas so they could all get settled before he learns where he'll be playing to open the season. If another club claims him, he'd be guaranteed a spot on a major league roster because he's out of options. If he clears waivers, he'll have to gauge the market and see if there is a team willing to sign him, and to what kind of deal, or else remain with the Nationals organization and report to Syracuse.
He didn't rule out the latter possibility as he packed up and left today.
"There is a chance," he said. "You never know. Once we process everything, sit down and decide, talk to my agent, talk to my wife, decide what we want to do, what's best for us as a family. You never know. You might see me again."
Manager Dusty Baker was particularly dreading this meeting, one of several he has to hold this time of the spring with players who don't make the club.
"He came back and said goodbye like three times. That was very difficult," Baker said. "This is the part of the year I hate the most. When I leave home for spring training, this is the week I don't like. This is part of the game .. it's a very difficult game. You're bursting bubbles."
Robinson recalled some of his favorite moments with the Nationals the last two seasons, including his walk-off homer last May against the Tigers - in which he mistakenly thought it was only the eighth inning until he rounded third and saw all his teammates waiting for him at the plate - and his surprise appearance out of the bullpen May 12, 2015, in Arizona. Despite a decade of history at that point, he nonetheless became the first position player ever to pitch for the Nats, allowing one hit but striking out one batter during a scoreless inning that brought levity to a blowout loss.
He'll now hope to create some new memories wearing another uniform.
"Wish them the best, and hopefully see them on the other side," he said. "And hopefully I can make some noise against them. You never know. Yeah, I'm gonna miss them. It's tough. But it's part of the game. It's how it goes."