FRIDAY: The White Sox, Brewers and Cardinals are three of the teams interested in Jeffress, TSN's Scott MacArthur reports. Conversely, MLBDailyDish.com's Chris Cotillo (Twitter links) hears from a source that that the Cards aren't in the hunt but Jeffress' "decision [is] almost made" about his new club. At least 15 clubs called about Jeffress once he became available, Cotillo notes.
THURSDAY: Blue Jays right-hander Jeremy Jeffress has rejected an outright assignment and elected free agency, reports Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). Additionally, Jeffress is expected to sign with a new club within 24 to 48 hours, according to Passan.
A former Top 100 prospect (per Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus), Jeffress was selected 16th overall by the Brewers back in the 2006 draft. Jeffress has a 4.47 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 52 1/3 career Major League innings. However, he's also walked 38 batters in that time, illustrating the control issues that have followed him throughout his professional career. Jeffress has a 4.10 ERA with 9.9 K/9 and 5.3 BB/9 in 454 minor league innings.
Despite his control issues, it's not surprising that a new deal for Jeffress already appears to be close. He's still just 26 years of age, has fanned more than a batter per inning since being drafted, and in his Major League career he's posted a 53.6 percent ground-ball rate and averaged 95.9 mph on his fastball. Jeffress has a tantilizing skill set for teams in need of bullpen help, should he overcome some of his command problems.
Jocketty, Jeffress would be a great low risk/high reward signing.
Joining the Brewers or Rays. Would bet on Brewers.
I’d hope he goes to the Brewers, given those choices. This Blue Jay fan will not be happy if he goes to the Rays and magically finds it when he plays against the Blue Jays…
Any options left? If so, he’s an attractive get. If not, you’d have to be pretty desperate to roll the dice on him. Relievers with control problems just don’t help very much.
No options left.
Cubs need to pick this guy up.
Fujikawa will be returning soon so that will bolster their ‘pen.
Very basic question (from a rookie): if a team wanted him, why would they not have just claimed him on waivers? That is, why would someone sign him now? If you claim him on waivers, you don’t owe him any more than you would if you just signed him, right?
I know I’m missing something here, I just want to know what…from my rudimentary knowledge, it seems like you just claim him on waivers if you wanted him, not wait until he’s a free agent and then try to sign him.
Any enlightenment would be greatly appreciated!
I believe if a team claimed him on waivers he has to be immediately added to their 40-man roster. This way they save a roster spot by waiting until he clears waivers.
Correct. And he’s out of options, so he’d have to be put on the 25 man active roster and take up a slot in the bullpen.
He could be signed to a minor league deal.
Gotta think there’s a ML deal somewhere for him. Would be a steal if someone could convince him to sign a non-roster contract.
Agree, looks like a theo type signing