SATURDAY: The Rays received $100K from the Indians to complete the trade, reports MLB.com's Jordan Bastian (on Twitter).
TUESDAY: The Indians announced that they acquired Russ Canzler from the Rays for cash considerations. The Rays had designated the 25-year-old for assignment on Friday.
Canzler made his MLB debut in 2011, appearing in three games with the Rays as a September callup. He spent most of the season at Triple-A, where he posted a .314/.401/.530 line with 18 home runs and 40 doubles in 549 plate appearances, and won the International League MVP.
Canzler appeared at all four corner positions in 2011. The right-handed hitter figures to add balance to an Indians lineup that features more than its share of left-handed hitters at third base and in the corner outfield spots. It's unclear whether the addition of Canzler will affect the Indians' interest level in free agent first baseman Casey Kotchman.
The Cubs selected Canzler in the 30th round of the 2004 draft. He has options remaining, so the Indians aren't obliged to keep him in the Major Leagues, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian tweets.
Another $100 K for the new stadium fund.
I would think I would DH him rather that Luke Scott. He can play 1st and dabble at 3B. Use that Luke Scott/Jeff Keppinger money to get a SS that does not suck.
If I had to guess, his ceiling is probably Nelson Cruz and that would be a stretch. Probably a 4A player.
That’s sofa king cheap. Ughhh
I wanna see Russ Canzler vs. Dan Runzler.
“It’s unclear whether the addition of Canzler will affect the Indians’ interest level in free agent first baseman Casey Kotchman.” Huh? They signed Kotchman yesterday!
Hard to imagine the IL MVP not being able to make the roster for the Rays, or them only obtaining $100K for him. That’s a pretty strong AAA slash line, even for a guy who’s 25 years old.
IMHO I see Canzler as a possible fit for the Indians at DH next season ( 2013 ), the Indians currently do not have any players that trend as a DH type for next season in their minor league system since Hafners contract runs out after this season and Canzler fits the bill plus he has 3 options left where as the only DH type guy currently on the roster that is also a DH type is Shelly Duncan and he is out of options so this move is a win win all the way around for the Indians plus Canzler could in a pinch play 1st / 3rd / LF & RF be it not very well but that is more than Hafner is able to do at the moment and I do not see Canzler being any worse in LF than Duncan is right now.
It would not surprise me at all if Duncan gets the Axe and Canzler is kept on and if Chisenhall wins the 3rd base job I also would not be shocked to see Hannahan cut or traded during Spring Training and Spils winning the utility job.
Probably a career AAAA player.
Still, those stats, and his age, make it seem like he has a chance to be decent.
That’s more than they would have received when he was picked off the rule 5 draft.
Jose Bautista part 2
You are absolutely correct, but Cruz was tagged as a AAAA before he finally broke through. Also, I’m not saying that Canzler will be as good as Cruz. I’m just saying that Cruz is the best case scenario of a player that Canzler would become. Batting-wise anyway.