Left-hander Dallas Braden and right-hander Joey Devine elected free agency, the Athletics announced. The pitchers declined outright assignments to Triple-A after being removed from the 40-man roster and clearing outright waivers.
Both Braden and Devine projected as non-tender candidates after missing the 2012 season with injuries. Braden, 29, continued rehabbing from a shoulder operation that took place in May of 2011 before undergoing a second surgery in August to repair his left rotator cuff. He had a projected salary of $3.4MM, but wasn't worth the commitment given rules that prevent teams from cutting the salaries of arbitration eligible players by more than 20%.
Devine missed the entire season to undergo Tommy John surgery, his second such operation. The 29-year-old had a projected salary of $1.1MM.
hopefully braden is gone… he’s a great team player, buuut he’s not that good. devine, you are always hurt, have fun with that.
On Braden: Really? I looked at his numbers and before he was injured he looked like he was showing steady improvement as a player almost across the board. He’s only 29 so if he stays healthy he could be a fairly good back end starter with most teams.
I’d be okay with him coming back at less $$, but we have a full rotation of cheaper, higher ceiling pitchers already. I like Braden, and I like that he’s a local product who cares about the team… we’ll see how much he cares about the team when they offer him a cheap incentive laden contract
Well to be fair, most clubs probably aren’t going to overpay for him given how he’s missed all of 2012 and most of 2011 injured. Beane said he was looking for veteran pitching depth to support the young arms in the rotation, and I could see the A’s offering Braden a 1 yr deal with incentives attached. If he becomes healthy again, he provides depth in the rotation and would enjoy pitching in the pitcher-friendly Coliseum to restore his value. If he stays injured, then there’s not much risk attached.
don’t forget its a short drive from his lovely home in stockton
If he signs a minor league deal anywhere (and he’s not going to get more than a minor league deal— look at his medical records and the lawsuit he has out against the docs), it’ll be with the A’s.
But there’s significant doubt as to whether he’ll pitch in 2013, if ever again.
Dallas Braden is Mark Buehrle if healthy.
No he isn’t. Dallas was a great teammate and leader during a difficult time in Oakland, but he broke down physically. Good luck to him wherever he lands. Devine pitched one season and has been injured ever since. Two Tommy John’s already.
Almost 1 season… haha
devine election!
Joey who?