The Dodgers have outrighted reliever Casey Fien, according to Jon Weisman of Dodger Insider (via Twitter). Fien, 32, had already been optioned to Triple-A after being claimed off waivers from the Twins.
The veteran righty obviously passed through the second time around, suggesting that Los Angeles was the only organization interested in taking on the rest of his $2.275MM salary. Though Fien could have refused the assignment, that would have meant giving up the cash as well.
It seems that the Dodgers were drawn to Fien because of a rising swinging strike rate and steady fastball velocity. Of course, he’s also been hurt badly by the long ball and owns a 7.90 ERA, though that’s due in part to some misfortune — such as a 22.7% HR/FB rate that stands at over twice his career average and a somewhat elevated .372 BABIP-against.
Those peripherals reflect performance and skill as well as luck, of course, but the Dodgers evidently saw enough cause for optimism to put in a claim. Certainly, it’s hard to find arms at this stage of the season with Fien’s solid track record, and it doesn’t hurt that the club can now stash him in Triple-A without occupying a 40-man spot. It’s worth noting, too, that Fien can also be controlled for two more years via arbitration if he makes good on his chance
Not sure why Friedman signed this guy if he doesn’t have an injury history.
At 32 years old, the only thing more surprising than his lack of injury history is his two years of remaining arbitration eligibility. As someone will no doubt point out, it’s only a minors signing, but at some point the question has to be answered whether it is really a great plan to be signing a bunch of mediocre middle relief arms to minor league contracts when what the team really lacks are quality middle relief arms at the big team level.
But in order to get these “quality middle relief arms” prospects have to be given up. No team is going to DFA/waive a good relief arm nor are they going to trade them for a bag of balls. With how important a good bullpen has become the past few years, teams are making good relievers more valuable (cost more in a trade) while the teams shopping for bullpen help have to wonder if its worth giving up a top prospect or two for a guy who might blow up upon arrival.