We’ll track the day’s minor moves here:
- The Pirates have outrighted outfielder Jose Tabata to Triple-A, per the International League transactions page. Recently designated for assignment, Tabata still has another year left on the extension he signed early in his career. It’s no surprise, then, that Tabata appears on the Triple-A Indianapolis roster (Twitter link), meaning that he’s accepted his assignment rather than sacrificing his remaining guaranteed money to become a free agent.
- Pursuant to an upward mobility clause like the one we explained yesterday, the Diamondbacks have notified the rest of the league that infielder/outfielder Jamie Romak is available to any club that is willing to add him to its active roster, MLBTR has learned. The 29-year-old is obviously hoping for a chance at big league playing time, but has also asked the team to sell his contract to a Japanese or Korean club if an MLB job is not available. Despite a very strong recent track record at Triple-A, Romak has only received 23 big league plate appearances in his career (all coming last year with the Dodgers). Thus far in 2015, he’s slashed .299/.375/.541 with 13 home runs over 323 trips to the plate. Notably, Romak has also spent time at second base this season for the first time in his career, adding to his versatility after logging plenty of minor league innings in the corner outfield and at both first and third.
- The Twins have released third baseman Ryan Wheeler, Kevin Oklobzija of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports on Twitter. Wheeler, who’ll soon turn 27, signed with Minnesota in May after being released by the Angels. He’s struggled ever since, putting up a .233/.243/.315 slash in 74 plate appearances at Triple-A. Wheeler received limited MLB playing time in each of the last three years with the Diamondbacks and Rockies. All said, he has put up a .233/.280/.335 slash in 225 turns at the plate.
Maybe the Red Sox can add Romak to their 2015 Fringe Player Who Spends Six Days On The Active Roster list.
^ This one deserves it too
Stand in line, Romak! I’ve been demanding an MLB roster spot since the Cubs failed to put me on their post season roster as a 7 year old in 1984. It cost them a world series appearance because I wasn’t there to defensive sub for Bull Durham and that went through his legs.
I probably shouldn’t say I would have been his defensive sub….I had displayed amazing utility work in tball that summer, so it’s likely Frey would have pulled Bowa so that Ryno and I could have put on a ballet session doubling up Greg Nettles.
I miss the old system ^
I still don’t understand the Tabata move once again. And I still don’t understand why the Pirate’s can’t trade him, even if they have to pay a large portion of his salary. He is a lot better then a lot of 4th outfielders I see manning the Major Leagues.
It is possible the Pirates don’t want to move him and would rather just let him rot in AAA. He can serve as depth, which may be better than having to pay a ton of money to have him play for someone else.