The Pirates announced that they’ve designated infielder Steve Lombardozzi for assignment in order to clear space on the 40-man roster for third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who was acquired from the Brewers this afternoon.
The 26-year-old Lombardozzi received just 12 plate appearances with the Bucs at the big league level in 2015, and he saw very little time in the Majors in 2014 with the Orioles as well. Most of the second-generation player’s experience (his father, Steve Lombardozzi, Sr., played six years with the Twins and Astros in the late 1980s) has come with the Nationals, where he served as a utility piece from 2011-13.
In 840 big league plate appearances, Lombardozzi is a .263/.294/.336 hitter. He’s seen time at second base, third base, shortstop and in left field as a Major Leaguer. Lombardozzi has been more effective at the Triple-A level, where he’s posted a career .295/.341/.358 batting line in parts of three seasons.
Remember when this guy was a somewhat notable piece of the Doug Fister deal?
Tigers got robbed in that trade. Man, if they had kept him and Scherzer, they could have a rotation of Price, Scherzer, Sanchez, Verlander and Fister. Wow.
Tigers saved $50,000,000 by making the trade. Robbie Ray looks like he will be a star. Jury is still out.
Also, Price would not be part of the rotation if Fister was on the rotation. They would not be able to afford both salaries.
He really never got much of a shot in Pittsburgh. At least he’s versatile.
Giants are trying to shore up their bench, maybe they take a flyer on him?
That would be great, except that he would immediately improve and cause the Nationals trouble in the playoffs, guaranteed.
Nats trouble in the playoffs? When they make it past the NLDS, then maybe I’ll consider it! ;)
Exactly what I was thinking. Adrianza and Arias have been absolutely horrible this season, he couldn’t possibly be worse and plays more positions.
The Giants are looking for versatility more than anything. Maxwell plays all 3 OF, Arias all 4 IF, and Adrianza plays the MI. For any of them to be supplanted, the newcomer has to play all the same positions (and hit better). I think Lombardozzi does enough to take Adrianza’s spot.
We Nats fans sure did take a liking to Lombo, but were willing to let go as soon as we saw he was part of the Fister trade. I hope Fister can replicate last year’s success a bit better tonight and for the rest of the season.