The Pirates have announced that they’ve acquired shortstop Justin Sellers from the Indians for cash considerations. They’ve also designated relievers John Axford and Jeanmar Gomez for assignment and reinstated starter Charlie Morton from the 60-day disabled list.
Sellers spent most of the 2014 season with Triple-A Columbus, hitting .254/.307/.355. The 28-year-old has hit sparingly in parts of four seasons with the Dodgers and Indians, but he can play second and third as well as shortstop and he has a strong defensive reputation. He will be on the Pirates’ 40-man roster.
Axford and Gomez were both non-tender candidates, so it’s no surprise that the Bucs would designate them for assignment. Axford, a former closer, would have received a small raise on this year’s $4.5MM salary, even though he had a walk-heavy 2014 season in which the Indians let him head to the Pirates via waivers. Gomez served as a long reliever for the Pirates in 2014 and posted a 3.19 ERA, but with an underwhelming 5.5 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9.
The move
Another buyer for Sellers!
Too much for Axford at his performance level. Gomez got a bad rap after a rough start and then rarely pitched thereafter. He’s no Rivera, but not as bad as generally perceived.
Why does NH love these light hitting infielders so much?
Sure, NOW they DFA Gomez. Pirates fans traded their Jolly Rogers for White Flags whenever that guy came into a game yet they insisted on keeping him around for who knows why… Don’t understand why they even bothered if they had no plans for him anyway.
Sellers sounds like a swiss army knife type IF which makes sense now that super-sub J-Hay is going to be the permanent 3B. Also, it probably means they aren’t going after Barmes which makes sense because they signed Barmes as insurance and he really didn’t contribute anything. As long as Sellers can play okay defense, he’ll just be a cheaper alternative.
Cardinals need to pick up Axford he was really good as a cardinal
Gomez was compelled to issue the most intentional walks on the Pirates staff. To cite his BB/9 is misleading as an indicator of effectiveness.