3:53pm: To make room on the 40-man roster for Gimenez, the A's released left-hander Pedro Figueroa, the team announced on Twitter.
Figueroa, 28, has a career 4.38 ERA in 24 2/3 innings for the A's, but he's walked more batters (18) than he's struck out (17) at the Major League level. After struggling through the 2011 season as a starter in Double-A, Figueroa converted to the bullpen and has experiences a nice turnaround at Triple-A. In 104 innings at that level, he has a 3.46 ERA with 7.7 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9.
12:48pm: The Athletics have claimed catcher Chris Gimenez off waivers from the Rays, according to MLB.com's Jane Lee (Twitter link).
Gimenez, who will turn 31 a week from today, batted .224/.350/.305 for the Rays' Triple-A affiliate in 2013 and also made a brief appearance with the big league club. In parts of five Major League seasons (380 plate appearances), the right-handed hitter is a .199/.292/.293 hitter. He is a .267/.375/.445 hitter in 10 minor league seasons.
The A’s seem to have a thing for ex-Rays catchers. Jaso, Vogt and now Gimenez…
this move makes zero sense considering we already have Jaso Vogt and Norris
Depth for AAA
He has experience at other positions as well. Good depth move. He can fill in in emergencies at a few spots and he’s local from gilroy California. So I’m sure him and his family are happy about it.
Prelude to another trade with the Nats
It has to be because Gimemez is out of options.
It’s probably because the Rays are about to acquire a player.
They may be but that’s not what happened with Chris.
“Gimenez said the Rays told him they hoped to sneak him through waivers with the potential of signing him back to a minor-league deal, but he was claimed. “It kind of caught me off-guard,” he said. “Not that I got moved, but to Oakland of all teams. .. It’s a pretty ideal situation.”
Depth in the minor league system much needed
Minor league depth i’m guessing
Not a bad depth/insurance move. But I hate that they had to DFA Pedro Figueroa to make room. Even after a down year, he’ll likely be claimed, considering how much left-handed relievers are in demand. So hopefully Fernando Abad will work out okay.
Jaso, Vogt, Norris, Donaldson, Gimenez. So 5 catchers is the new market inefficiency.
I think donaldsons catching days are over.
Pedro Figueroa will sign with the Pirates. The Pirates seem to like pitchers who walk as many as they strikeout.
Nice. In all honesty, I wouldn’t complain if the Bucs did grab him on a minor league deal. I don’t think you can ever have enough lefty bullpen candidates. Plus, Justin Wilson is a hot trade discussion commodity, and Tony Watson is no LOOGY.
Who likes the rangers anymore jon daniels has lost his mind
Im surprised the White Sox didnt claim Gimenez and give him a shot at ST