The Pirates announced that they have designated right-hander Evan Meek for assignment. The move creates 40-man roster space for right-hander Rick VandenHurk, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Indianapolis. Pittsburgh also recalled infielder Chase d'Arnaud and right-hander Bryan Morris in related moves.
Meek, a 2010 All-Star, has been in the Pittsburgh organization since the Pirates selected him in the 2007 Rule 5 draft. He has spent time on the MLB roster in each of the last five seasons, and made 12 relief appearances in 2012. The 29-year-old spent most of this year with Triple-A Indianapolis, where he posted a 2.74 ERA with 8.0 K/9 and 5.1 BB/9 in 46 innings of relief work. In five MLB seasons, he has a 3.34 ERA, 7.5 K/9, 4.7 BB/9, a 52.1 % ground ball rate and an average fastball velocity of 94 mph.
He can be very effective! it will take no time for a team to take a chance with him.
Effective for the other teams offense
Velocity has been way down ever since the shoulder injury. I don’t think that he could come close to touching 94 now.
In 2010, he was 97+. Now he is 91-95.
I would question this move less if they weren’t removing Meek to make room for VandenHurk, who was gotten chances with about half the teams in the league already. It still seems a little too soon to give up on him, but if he does end up elsewhere, all the best to him.
Could be worse. I mean, they could have DFA’d Meek to make room for Jo-Jo Reyes…
RedSox should claim him if they get the chance. They are always in need of new middle relief help. He will be in his age 30 season next year.
This has Cubs written all over it. Well, almost any DFA involving somebody capable of throwing a baseball has Cubs written all over it but this one would actually make good sense.
you took the words right out of my mouth (well, right off of my keyboard). Of all the dumpster-diving Theo’s been doing lately, this one might actually be worth the effort.
Watching the Cubbies game on Sunday, I got a pretty good laugh when the broadcasters referred to them as the “Land of Opportunity”.
Meek was struggling lately so not surprised on the other moves i would have loved to see see Hague up here over Clement
Why this move is being made is beyond me—Meek for VandenHurk? Some moves are headscratchers; this is one of them.
I think it’s incentive to resign VandenHurk in the offseason (on another minor league deal). He’s worth more to the Bucs as starting depth in AAA than Meek is; now that Meek is way down in the relief depth chart.
Dodgers bit wouldn’t be available for Playoffs
doesn’t bother me. he was pitching ok in the minors but was horrible in every chance he’s gotten in the majors the past two years. he imploded in just about every appearance whenever he was recalled.
Mariners will give you Kevin Millwood
Milwaukee better claim him.
I would give him a chance it is better than others that Milwaukee has run out there this year. It would take almost nothing to get him.