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Blue Jays Claim Matt Hague From Pirates

By Jeff Todd | August 18, 2014 at 1:23pm CDT

The Blue Jays have claimed first baseman Matt Hague off waivers from the Pirates, Toronto announced via press release. Hague has been optioned to Triple-A.

Hague, 28, has only limited MLB experience but was swinging well this year at Triple-A Indianapolis, slashing .267/.365/.448 with 14 long balls over 386 trips to bat. Pittsburgh designated him for assignment (and ultimately exposed him to waivers) to make roster space for the acquisition of reliever John Axford.

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17 Comments

  1. Ron Loreski

    11 years ago

    There he is ladies and gentlemen, the next Jose Bautista. The next one the Pirates let get away. I don’t understand why “The Hit Collector” never got a fair chance in Pittsburgh. Hague is better than Brent Morel, Jayson Nix, and Michael Martinez COMBINED. Watch him hit 20+ HR’s next year. You heard it here first.

    Reply
    • Ron Greenawalt

      11 years ago

      Couldn’t agree more

      Reply
    • StevePegues

      11 years ago

      Being better than Morel, Nix, and Martinez combined is not that hard.

      Maybe Hague didn’t get his chances because he’s not that good.

      Reply
      • connfyoozed .

        11 years ago

        Bingo. He’s a right-handed Travis Ishikawa. And he’s 28, so I don’t buy the Jose Bautista comparison. Good OBP, but not enough power, no positional flexibility. If he makes it with the Jays, good for him, he’s been a good organizational soldier, but I still won’t regret the move.

        Reply
        • Federal League

          11 years ago

          I think the positional flexibility issue is what really did him in. He’s got a good track record of making contact and drawing walks in the minors. If Pittsburgh liked him at 3B, you’d have to think he would have gotten more run to stick as a bench piece regardless of power.

          Reply
        • formerdraftpick 2

          11 years ago

          What a horrible thing to say, comparing him to Travis Ishikawa. Shame on you.

          Reply
          • connfyoozed .

            11 years ago

            Ishikawa has carved out a fairly decent career for himself by being able to play only 1B, draw walks, and hit for average but not power at a position that usually demands power. Since Travis hits lefty and more pitchers throw right, Travis gets more chances than someone like Hague. And Ishikawa fields his position well, Hague does not.

            How is this an insult? Frankly, going to the AL and being a part-time DH is the only shot Hague might get to stick around. His “shoddy treatment” by Pirates management is a myth. He hasn’t gotten more chances because he is a “quad A” player who only plays 1 position, and not well at that. His skill set will only get him so far, in Pittsburgh, Toronto, or anywhere else.

            Reply
    • pitnick

      11 years ago

      He’s a 28-year-old career minor leaguer who has never been more than a good-not-great AAA hitter. He’s a poor defensive first baseman, a worse third baseman, doesn’t run the bases well… His only value comes from his bat, and the projection system all see him as below average at the ML level. He’s the definition of replacement level.

      So are Morel, Nix and Martinez, but they can at least play the infield. The last thing the Pirates need is another underwhelming first baseman.

      Reply
    • connfyoozed .

      11 years ago

      Matt Hague has had 6 minor league seasons including this one. He has never hit more than 15 homers in a full year at any minor league level. Ever. Let’s be realistic, please.

      Reply
    • BD_Vlad

      11 years ago

      ZiPS projection, Matt Hague, remainder-of-2014: .246/.305/.347

      He doesn’t hit well enough to project as more than a replacement-level player. That’s why he hasn’t been given more opportunities – he isn’t good enough to deserve them. He would need to add about 40 points of BA, draw significantly more walks, hit for significantly more power, or learn to play a more difficult defensive position (most likely 3B) at an adequate level of competency in order to stick in the majors.

      Reply
  2. Ron Greenawalt

    11 years ago

    But hay Neal did get us Snider from them makes up for Jose!!!! Lol not

    Reply
    • iains

      11 years ago

      I’m waiting for Toronto to put a waiver claim in on Snider.

      Reply
  3. iains

    11 years ago

    Splits in limited numbers say he hits lefties. I imagine that played into the claim.

    Reply
  4. 79Mag

    11 years ago

    Good for you Matt! As a Pirate fan, I am totally disappointed in their handling and use of your talent, and I hope your new move proves my point.

    Reply
  5. Chris Vinnit

    11 years ago

    Expect Matt Hague to hit approximately 59 homers as a DH next season. This is what being a Pirates fan feels like…

    Reply
    • Jaysfan1994 2

      11 years ago

      He’s going to hit 59 homers and Toronto still won’t make the playoffs, so it’s a moot point.

      Reply
  6. bucsws2014

    11 years ago

    If there’s this much hand-wringing over Matt Hague, I can’t wait until Chase d’Arnaud is claimed.

    Reply

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