The Twins have claimed outfielder Jordan Schafer off waivers from the Braves, tweets LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune. The team has confirmed the transaction and announced a corresponding 25-man roster move will be made before their next game on Tuesday. Schafer fills the open spot on the Twins’ 40-man roster.
Schafer, who was designated for assignment Friday in the wake of the Braves’ acquisition of James Russell and Emilio Bonifacio, will become Minnesota’s backup center fielder and be the seventh different player to man the position once he makes his Twins’ debut, Neal notes on Twitter. The 27-year-old can also play both corner outfield spots allowing Danny Santana to return to natural position, shortstop, according to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Schafer has struggled this year for Atlanta slashing .163/.256/.213 line in 93 plate appearances, though he has stolen 15 bases.
One of my favorite players, twins, you guys got a hard working player. He may not have all the stats to show but you can’t not like him
Can’t go wrong with a pickup like Jordan Schafer. I think he could be a good leadoff guy if he were given the opportunity to play everyday and get in a rhythm at the plate.
I don’t mind the pick-up, given that the Twins are on their way to their fourth straight 90-loss season. But let’s not lie to ourselves about this being a case of the Twins spotting and acquiring underappreciated value. Schafer’s had more than 1200 plate appearances in the majors and his combined OPS+ is 68. That’s atrocious.
I can’t stand how many Braves fans always said “If Schafer was just given a chance he’d probably be good”. The guy has had tons of chances, he’s just not a good baseball player. Great athlete, bad ballplayer.