The latest outright assignments from around MLB…
- The Rays might not have made the playoff were it not for Dan Johnson's heroics in the final game of the regular season, but he's no longer on Tampa Bay's roster. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the Rays outrighted Johnson to Triple-A (Twitter links). The first baseman can elect free agency.
- The Mariners announced that they outrighted left-hander Anthony Vasquez to Triple-A. The 25-year-old posted a 8.90 ERA with 4.0 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 29 1/3 innings for Seattle in 2011. Vasquez must accept the assignment.
- The Blue Jays announced that they outrighted outfielder Adam Loewen and reliever Jesse Carlson off of their 40-man roster. Loewen, the fourth overall selection in the 2002 draft, successfully completed the transition from left-handed pitcher to outfielder in 2011. He posted a .306/.377/.508 line with 46 doubles at Triple-A before appearing in 14 games with the Blue Jays.
- Carlson, 30, spent the 2011 season on the disabled list after experiencing arm soreness in Spring Training and undergoing season-ending rotator cuff surgery in May. Carlson would have been arbitration eligible for the first time this offseason and his projected salary of $700K made him a clear non-tender candidate.
Bye bye Loewen, surely someone will pick him up in the rule 5
He’ll be a 28 year old outfielder with one good minor league season to his name.
Plus, he struck out 1/3 of the time.
Good story but not a chance he contributes.
Yeah, one good minor league season to his name in one minor league season as an outfielder. The guy’s a bum.
I think they might have an opening for you in Baltimore.
He actually had 3 minor league seasons as an outfielder. Just sayin’
Not according to his BR page. I know you’re a Jays fan and one of the intelligent ones, so I’m not doubting you. Do you know where to find his stats for the other one(s) [I see you just edited your post to indicate 3]? How’d he do?
Yes he does…2009, 2010, and 2011 he was an outfielder and progressed as a hitter every season. He seems to have got the knack of it pretty easily, i wonder why they gave up on him
When I read your post, somehow, I get a sense you are “hiding” something from us. Oh well, maybe I just have an overactive imagination.
Will the real John Smith please stand up?
I’m pretty sure he’s actually a minor league FA now, and not subject to the rule V draft.
Bye bye Loewen, surely someone will pick him up in the rule 5
I hope some team gives him a chance… this guy has worked way too hard to make his way back.
The Jays cut Loewan because they want to give him a chance to make the majors and he wouldnt have done that in Toronto. Jays got Snider, Rasmus, Thames, Bautista, Davis, and even Encarnasion that can play in the outfield and that is without considering the prospects they have in the minors that can play the outfield soon, there was no room for Loewan. By letting him go Toronto did not get any assets but their reputation for being a player first team went up (which will help them sign players and resign their players in the future).
Javy Vasquez part 3 to the yankees would be sweet
Loewen is essentially the 5th outfielder on the team… if it didn’t happen now, it may have happened after spring training, in which the Jays might not get anything for him…. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone picks him up in rule 5.
he had no options left cause baltimore used them all when he was a pitcher…if they wanted to send him to AAA they needed to outright him…he wasn’t going to make the team and looked over matched in the Bigs…if the jays are serious about contending he isn’t the answer at this point in his career
Why would they keep him?
Loewen is out of optional assignments and most likely won’t make the 25-man roster next year. As a result, it just doesn’t make sense for him to occupy a 40-man roster spot when players such as Justin Jackson, John Tolisano, Kevin Ahrens, and Evan Crawford have enough years of service to require Jays to protect them from Rule 5 Draft.
LOL
Put a cardboard cutout of him in the dugout, hardly a difference.
The disturbing thing is, plenty of “fans” would actually agree with this. People who take Damian Cox seriously, for example.
hahaha