The Rockies are in agreement with outfielder Ryan Raburn on a minor league deal, reports Jon Heyman (links to Twitter). Raburn, a client of CSE’s Keith Grunewald, will earn $1.5MM if he makes the big league roster and can request his release on March 28 if he hasn’t been added to the roster by that date, per Heyman.
Raburn, 35 in April, will give Rockies skipper Walt Weiss a weapon off the bench to complement the team’s all-left-handed-hitting starting outfield of Gerardo Parra, Charlie Blackmon and Carlos Gonzalez. He’s traditionally been a huge weapon against left-handed pitching and lived up to that billing again in 2015, when he was one of baseball’s most dangerous bats against southpaws, batting .325/.415/.589 with eight homers in 176 plate appearances against left-handed pitching. The Indians, who declined a $3MM club option on Raburn at season’s end, limited him to just 25 PAs against righties, so he’s very clearly a platoon option at this stage of his career. However, that lefty-heavy outfield should give Raburn plenty of opportunity for at-bats if he makes the club, and putting his bat at Coors Field with the consistent benefit of the platoon advantage could yield some gaudy production.
MLB needs to expand the 40-man to 42. It’s ridiculous that Major league players keep taking on MLDWI. Teams protecting prospects from rule 5 draft are unwilling to DFA players. Raburn was solid last season for the Tribe, deserved an MLB deal. Raburn is definatly going to make the Rox., big upgrade over Barnes. Best wishes to Ryan Raburn, his option should have been exercised by the Tribe. Raburn is a better player then Butler/Cowgill/Choice/& Grossman. I’d feel better w/ Raburn platooning in LF w/ Venable/Davis.
Raburn has a great throwing arm, but makes Manny Ramirez look like a gold glover. He cant play the field anymore, and he cant hit right handers. Not too many teams are looking for a platoon DH. He got what he deserved: a chance.
I’m not really a fan of it either with the Rule 5 situation. I’d rather there be some type of restricted list for Rule 5 players that teams wish to keep
But wouldn’t that sort of defeat the purpose of Rule 5?
guy played excellent last year. Him and Murphy on minor league deals, mind blowing.
This is only kinda sorta a minor league deal. The only OF he’d have to beat out to make the Rockies is Brandon Barnes, which should be no problem, and they might keep 5 OF anyway. Unless he gets hurt, he’ll be on the 25 man and will likely play a lot given how much the Rockies struggle against lefties. Good choice for him.
Leyland messed him up by trying to make him a second sacker.
He was never the same after that.
Raburn played more than 1200 innings at second base in his minor league career. The Tigers weren’t exactly putting him in uncharted waters by playing at second base.
Your right. However he never did regain his skills at second, affecting his bat. Trust me I witnessed his mishaps first hand, ala Rickie Weeks. It wasn’t pretty.
This is a great sign for the Rockies. Should fit nicely as a bench piece/platoon partner for one (any) of the left handed starters.