Some late-night links as Saturday turns into Sunday…
- Prior to acquiring Paul Janish from the Reds, the Braves were talking to the Yankees about Ramiro Pena as a shortstop backup plan according to Joel Sherman of The New York Post (on Twitter). Pena is hitting .236/.287/.297 in 271 plate appearances for New York's Triple-A affiliate this season.
- The Reds thinking behind the Janish trade was to add pitching depth at Triple-A according to ESPN's Buster Olney (on Twitter). Cincinnati acquired right-hander Todd Redmond in the trade.
- The Royals have outrighted Mitch Maier to Triple-A, the team announced (on Twitter). Kansas City designated the outfielder for assignment on Independence Day. Maier, 30, hit .172/.260/.313 batting line in 74 plate appearances for the Royals on the season.
Earlier in the season I remember reading that the Phillies were interested in Ramiro Pena. The headline which says that the Braves were interested in him makes me wonder what other teams are seeing that the Yankees currently do not. He’s an all glove, no bat short stop in my opinion. Typically, those are a dime a dozen. Right?
I THINK the Yankees felt like Nunez could provide more on offense, as well as get more seasoning in the bigs, so he got the job at the start (though if you factor in runs allowed via error, Pena would probably net them more positive runs). But then Nunez was too bad so they called up Nix who is a nice plug in defensively at almost any position and has a little pop as well.
As for Pena, I think the Yankees realize his value having seen him be extremely solid in the field, but just not the best option for their current plan. They could probably move him, but for what? They have a deep, solid bench, and he’d need to be packaged to bring in a plus reliever. Not to mention, he’s probably their first call up if another injury strikes. Nunez will probably be down until September HOPEFULLY working at making routine plays
they probley wanted heyward for him
I’m a diehard Reds fan and I can tell you that Janish is a definite upgrade over Pastornicky, at least as far as his glove is concerned. Janish struggles at the plate but he’s as smooth as they come in the field.
I’m surprised the Braves didn’t try working something out with the Pirates for one of their fill in shortstops like Mercer, Anderson Hernandez, Chase d’Arnaud or even Barmes.
Here’s what the Reds were
“Someone wants Janish? Do it before they change their mind!”
Great Username/Icon Combo Haha
What are you talking about? Obviously ATL has a need to address with starting pitching, but they have an immediate need for a SS – so much so that they’ve been playing their starting LF out of position as a SS. This trade has nothing to do with the starting pitching need, so bringing it up is irrelevant.
How is he NOT an upgrade over what the Braves have currently. (including Wilson). He’s younger, better defender, better hitter, and has 2 more years of control left. Please explain otherwise.
Both of the SS on their MLB roster were hurt. They needed someone. Pastornicky can’t catch a ball I lob to him. He could probably (probably – not certainly) hit it, but not catch it. They need someone to catch the ball at SS.
Of course Simmons is the long term SS but he’s hurt. I liked the idea of Prado playing short, but obviously management didn’t.
We will get a new pitcher soon – just wait. In the meantime, lets see if this low (almost no) cost experiment with Sheets works out. If not, we didn’t lose any prospects.
Sorry Redbird but it would seem you’ve also forgotten that Redmond would have been a 6 year minor league free agent at the end of this season. He wasn’t going to crack the big league rotation with Braves and likely would have signed elsewhere following this season anyway. At least we got a solid stopgap SS for while Simmons and Wilson while they’re hurt, and if he’s defensively as solid as seen in the past a definite upgrade over Wilson for the remainder of the season as a backup. So in essence we filled a short time need for a player who likely was out of here anyway. Not a bad move in my book.
You forgot a few *YANKEES SUCK* and *RABBLE RABBLE CANO RABBLE RABBLE* in there? Have Royals fans calmed down yet?
Redbirdsteve,
Stick to your own team. You don’t know how the Royals or Royals fans value Mitch Maier at this point. You do not know the value that he may have to the team at AAA. The Royals and their fans realize that he will not be a star.
PS You are not every baseball fan.
PPS Walt, the Cano deal is done. Send him back to the K with the rest of the Yankees to sell more tickets.
Dear Every baseball fan,
Thanks for the chat. That’s why we designated him for assignment and, when no other team in baseball wanted him, stuck him in AAA. A lot of people would have simply released him, right? However, he’s been a loyal and inexpensive organizational guy who never complains about playing time and it’s not prudent at this juncture to simply cut ties with a guy who can capably play every position in the outfield, usually hits around .250, can serve as an emergency catcher, and occasionally even pitches an inning if we need it. (Did you know he’s got a career ERA lower than anybody in the Cardinal bullpen? Crazy, right?)
Ok, good talk. Enjoy the game!
The Royals