Here are today’s minor moves from around the league…
- Infielder Grant Green has signed a minor league deal with the Giants, reports Baseball America’s Matt Eddy (on Twitter). Green, 28, is a former first-round pick of the Athletics that hasn’t panned out as hoped. Traded to the Angels back in 2013, Green has amassed a .249/.283/.335 batting line in 300 Major League plate appearances, spending most of his time at second base. He’ll give the Giants some depth at second and in left field.
- Eddy also tweets that the Reds have signed former big leaguer Brandon Allen to a minor league deal. The powerful first baseman hasn’t seen the Majors since 2012 and is a career .203/.290/.375 hitters in 389 PAs in the Majors. He’s crushed Triple-A pitching to the tune of a .276/.372/.502 batting line, however, making him a useful bat to stash at the team’s top minor league level.
- The Indians announced that outfielder Michael Choice has cleared outright waivers and been assigned to Triple-A Columbus. The former top 100 prospect will be in Major League camp as a non-roster invitee come Spring Training. Choice, 26, was designated for assignment when the Indians claimed Kirby Yates off waivers from the Rays. He’s a career .188/.253/.320 hitter in 300 big league plate appearances but has a more palatable line of .271/.356/.426 in Triple-A.
- The Red Sox have outrighted infielder Josh Rutledge to Triple-A Pawtucket, the team announced today. Rutledge, 26, was acquired from the Angels in exchange for Shane Victorino this past summer. He batted .284/.333/.338 in 85 PAs for the BoSox and is a career .261/.310/.398 hitter in the Majors, though some of that success is attributable to spending the early portion of his career playing his home games at Coors Field.
Reds, why??
Because the organization is thin at 1B behind Votto and this is a minor league deal with very little to no risk? I mean, seriously, every team makes these kinds of moves to pad out the minor league depth chart.
He also plays LF where they have another gaping hole
I’m surprised they signed a AAA 1b. Kyle Waldrop and Steve Selsky already seemed likely to fill that role. Or Adam Duvall, if he doesn’t make the 25 man roster. There are even more internal candidates, including the same three, for Allen’s other position, LF.
I doubt Brandon Allen will play for the Reds, and my best guess is that his role is to boost the Louisville Bats’ offense.
They do play a DH in the AAA Bats’ division, and Waldrop and Selky are both fairly capable in the OF corners as well.
I agree. Assuming we call up a LF he can replace them.