The Padres have announced that three players were outrighted off the club’s 40-man roster. Infielder Jemile Weeks and righties Jake Smith and Jose Dominguez all lost their spots.
Weeks, a 29-year-old switch hitter, managed only seven hits and three walks in 57 plate appearances on the year for San Diego. He has mostly functioned as a journeyman depth option over the last several years after failing to follow up on a highly promising rookie campaign with the A’s back in 2011. Weeks elected free agency, so he’ll be back on the open market this winter.
The 26-year-old Smith received his first brief crack at the majors this year, but only took the ball four times for the Padres. He struggled badly at Double-A for the Giants, with San Diego claiming him in July. While Smith’s six appearances at the same level in the Padres organization were more successful, it wasn’t enough for the team to dedicate a MLB roster slot to him going forward.
Dominguez, like Weeks, took free agency. The 26-year-old has appeared in the majors in each of the last four years and threw a career-high 35 2/3 innings in 2016. The results weren’t there, though, as he worked to a 5.05 ERA with just twenty strikeouts against 17 walks.
Weeks showed promise during Spring Training but got hit with injury bug; seemed to happen to a lot of Padres infielders this year. I still think he gets another shot elsewhere.
Spangenberg’s hamstrings are about as tough as that overpriced cotton candy they sell at Petco Park.
And to think that Francisco Lindor and Javier Baez were the two picks ahead of him. I know the Padres were planning on taking Lindor if he was available.
But I’m not quite ready to throw in the towel on Spangenberg.
According to baseball reference it says Weeks played for the Sacramento River Cats but Oakland was the affiliate at the time? I don’t think he was actually in the Giants system (and can’t find anything to that effect) at any point but I could be misreading his history.
Seems to me in the minors he’s had decent numbers and will get another shot to make an MLB roster. I hope so.
he was a river cat during his oakland days. he was a promising player his rookie year. he hit a few home runs and then thought he was a power hitter and started swinging for the fences. It was a shame as an Oakland fan to watch him try and hit dingers rather than doubles and triples.
Dude, that stuff is frustrating huh? I wish fans would appreciate a good at bat more and not get so hyped up over the long ball so much… geez SF fans wet themselves on anything that is in the air and we all know it’s an out most of the time. Personally I think someone running out a close triple is a more exciting play to watch than a home run unless it’s a clutch situation.
No doubt! Weeks was fun to watch run the bases. I was sold his first year in Oakland.
Didn’t see any of these guys making the team, so no big loss in letting them go. Give the kids a chance to fill those slots on the 40 man.
I always thought Weeks would turn into a decent player after his good rookie year with Oakland. Of course, I thought the same about Josh Barfield. Padres have a bunch of flawed infielders anyway, though.
Schimpf looks pretty good to me. Would prefer to keep him over Weeks any day
Schimpf had a nice year but he’s old and can’t play defense.
Yup, knowing Preller he will cash in on him this winter. Trade him for a starting pitcher to compete in that weak rotation
Let Spangenberg & Asuaje battle for the 2nd base job in spring. Whoever doesn’t win it becomes the super utility guy.
No losses with these three players. Protect the young kids from Rule 5.