The Twins have designated outfielder Oswaldo Arcia for assignment, MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger was among those to report on Twitter. His roster spot will go to Danny Santana, who was activated from the DL.
[Related: Updated Twins depth chart]
Arcia only just turned 25, and isn’t long removed from being an above-average hitter in a semi-regular role. Indeed, he popped twenty home runs in 2014. But Arcia has long been considered a marginal defender, and he hasn’t been quite as productive at the plate of late.
In 114 plate appearances this year at the major league level, Arcia owns a .214/.289/.369 slash with four home runs. That comes on the heels of a 2015 campaign in which Arcia spent most of his time playing poorly at Triple-A.
All said, it’s a disappointing turn of events for both team and player. With no options remaining, Arcia needed to perform well enough to keep a roster spot this year, and that obviously hasn’t occurred.
Arcia could draw interest on the trade market or be claimed if he makes it to waivers. The question, really, is whether any team is willing to utilize a 40-man spot and put him onto an active roster. With just over two years of major league service entering the year, Arcia is playing at just over the league minimum and can be controlled for three more seasons via arbitration.
jackstigers 2
Not a bad option for Detroit while JD is out. Maybe you catch lightning in a bottle for a month or two. Not much risk.
Jeff Todd
Would be rather hilarious if this happened and they ended up with the next JD Martinez playing in the opposite corner OF spot from JD Martinez.
jd396
That’s a realistic possibility… Arcia’s got some serious power.
JCjet
Except for a guy named Justin Upton plays Left and is making bank
jackstigers 2
We’ll cross that bridge if we get to it. I’m not expecting him to turn into a star. I just want some decent play for 4-6 weeks.
jd396
I’m talking more about Arcia’s ability to kill a ball than anything to do with the Tigers depth chart.
frogger6
The Brewers should pick him up for several reasons.
He’s still young, his brother is in system and they desire to play together, we will have OF position open when we trade braun, we arent planning on winning anytime soon, etc etc.
dsteig
Good move for Twins but what does it matter
Ray Ray
Depending on how long Gerardo Parra is out, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Rockies pick him up. I’d much rather have him on the 40 man than Brandon Barnes or Rafael Ynoa. They usually don’t play the waiver game though, so I am not holding my breath.
bravesfan88
I truly hope the Braves end up taking a flyer on Arcia!!
I easily could be wrong, but I think they have an open roster spot on their 40 man. So, there really wouldn’t be a downside to getting him, plus they can just give him a shot and see what the kid has!!
Maybe he just needs a good change of scenery to get him going. Countless times, in MLB history, a once highly touted prospect flames out with his original team, only to change teams and finally then that prospect begins to live up to his potential.
I am not sure if it is a putting too much pressure on yourself, type of situation or what, but unfortunately it happens all too often!!
Regardless wherever Arcia ends up, for his sake I truly hope he realizes his potential and not only extends his career, but hopefully he can tap into his potential and truly flourish with his new team!!
Phillies2017
This is a gem on the wire. I sincerely hope someone takes a flier on him and he shines.
philly435
It’s not often that you find a guy like this on waivers. In the game right now, there’s so much talent that teams simply can’t keep it all and we’re seeing this a lot more now. Honestly, that will be a catalyst to expansion.
Anyways, I think most fans would be completely fine with their team picking up Arcia. I would love to see the Phillies grab him up
Jorge Soler Powered
What talent? He hasn’t hit in like 2 years and isn’t much with a glove.
jp08
He has talent, or he wouldn’t be in the majors. The funny thing about your comment is Arcia has twice as many homers than Solver in 299 more AB’s. No one is suggesting he is an all star but he has talent.
ThatGuy 2
He’s a one tool guy. Literally has zero value aka replacement level
jp08
Replacement level = talent. Don’t care for him, but he has talent.
ThatGuy 2
Fair enough he has talent, but he’s not worth anything.
Evenyear
David Ortiz all over again.
Doc44
Maybe he can get all roided up again and hit 20 for another club. He’s not good
Doc44
“A gem on the wire” oh that’s hilarious. This guy can’t hit the broad side of a barn. Molitor knows this as well
Niekro
He has slumped before and came out of it with a lot of extra work with Brunansky that was when he was still playing most of the time as a guy back and forth between minors he probably had less time to work with him, he could just need the extra work and regular playing time again to get back in shape.
aff10
He’s a league-average hitter with almost no defensive ability who’s only been above replacement-level one time in 4 years. He’ll catch on somewhere on a minor-league deal for sure (maybe he’ll even be claimed, although I doubt it), but I don’t really understand all the excitement regardless
jd396
Arcia is streaky as all get-out. When he’s hot you think he’s destined for superstardom and when he’s cold he hacks away at everything like a lumberjack on meth.
You can’t un-see how hard Arcia can hit a ball, though. IMO he’s most likely destined to bounce around most of his career but don’t act surprised if he comes up with a 30 HR season or two, sometime, somewhere.
Otto371
Red Sox make sense, can play some left field and be a bat off the bench.
thebare
He might be the next J D Martinez same scenario
Nola Di Bari 67
Avi Garcia, except he’s missing the 1st letter G in his last name.
Zack35
I guess this move kind of makes sense from Twins perspective, but this team is constantly making dumb roster decisions. I think it’s time to let GM Terry Ryan go
Doc44
Same scenario how? Lots of players get cut. Problem is JD Martinez is a big league caliber player and Garcia isn’t
tennreed
Astros didn’t think so about Martinez, hence why they realeased him…
mlb_91
Common White Sox lets get him and screw Avi Garcia, Arcias will hit more for sure !