TUESDAY: Singleton has cleared waivers and been assigned to Triple-A, Kaplan tweets.
SATURDAY: The Astros placed first baseman Jon Singleton on outright waivers yesterday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports (Twitter links). Kaplan expects Singleton to clear waivers when eligible on Tuesday, and Singleton will then be outrighted to Triple-A, and off the Astros’ 40-man roster.
Once considered one of the top minor leaguers in the sport, Singleton was the centerpiece of the prospect package sent by the Phillies to the Astros in July 2011 for Hunter Pence. Houston even signed Singleton to a five-year, $10MM extension prior to his major league debut in 2014, a deal that drew quite a bit of controversy given how it was perceived by some (including the MLBPA) as Singleton signing away quite a bit of future earning potential.
As it turned out, Singleton may have done well to lock down a big payday given his struggles over the last few years. He hit just .171/.290/.331 over 420 plate appearances in 2014-15 and he didn’t play in the bigs at all in 2016, instead spending the year at Triple-A Fresno and hitting .202/.337/.390 over 501 PA. That batting line is particularly concerning given that Singleton was playing in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
With A.J. Reed, Tyler White, Yulieski Gurriel and Brian McCann all looking like first base options on Houston’s major league roster, one has to wonder if Singleton’s time in the organization is coming to an end. As Kaplan noted, Singleton isn’t likely to be claimed by another team since the Astros still owe him $2MM in each of the next two years (plus a $500K buyout of his $2.5MM option for 2019).
10 millonish dollars well spent
This was the first deal of its kind. We’ve see early extensions pay off and the Astros were trying to reinvent the wheel. Bold statement, but obviously with hindsight didn’t work. I don’t remember much concern at the time of signing the contract. Then again the Astros became surprise contenders in the AL West
How many times has a team pulled off a buncha bold moves and won it all?
Cubs signed zobrist, heyward, lackey, and traded for chapman.
This years cubs
Theo teams are pretty bold. 2013 Red Sox were a bold strategy by unloading a lot of cash and adding a bunch of vets.
2013 wasn’t a Theo team… He was already gone.
Heyward was a disaster signing for the cubs from the get go. Yes he has a good glove doesn’t mean that bold move paid off. Second chapman was a rental you gave the key assets from your farm for him and zobrist is in the second year of his contract and he isnt getting younger we don’t know if those “bold moves” paid off. Assuming nobody you sent to the Yankees makes the majors it’s a bold move otherwise it’s typical baseball nice try glorifying the Cubs more though
@bravesiowafan
Heyward defensively was arguably the best defensive right fielder in baseball. Cubs had tremedous numbers with the pitching staff including Hendricks and Lester top 2 in ERA and Hendricks major league ERA title. That has a lot to do with defense. Guess you do not understand that. Heyward part a big part in that and the “bold” move was the Theo Trio specifically wanting to shore up the OF defense. Bold move to win a championship that paid off.
You say Zobrist “is not getting any younger”. Ok who is? What is your point? Zobrist (and trading Castro same day) was a bold move that again paid off. He got on base. Got key hits and brought veteran leadership. I just saw him drive by me on the road. In his shiny new car he got for being named MVP of the World Series! Guess you were the one person who missed that game? Guess you missed his tenth inning double to put the boys ahead …. but he is not getting any younger you say? Well signing Zo was yet another bold move to win the World Series that paid off.
You say Chapman was a rental. Again do you have a point? Theo Trio made another BOLD move to win the world series and sent a nice prospect package including a top prospect. Well it turns out Strop and Rondon got hurt in September and never got the groove back. Chapman was not perfect but was key in Giants series and Dodgers series and his “Chapman” game which was his 8 out save in game 5 in Wrigley Field helped turn the World Series around. Getting Chapman was another bold move to win a Championship that paid off.
Yet you say it depends only on none of those prospects making the big leagues? Again can you explain or make a point as to how that is related? What has that have to do with making BOLD moves?
If you do not understand baseball then try to learn so you can make intelligent comments instead of exposing your lack of knowledge and understanding of the game.
I’m not sure what you mean by the first deal of it’s kind. In 2008, Longoria signed his first long term deal with the Rays 6 games into his MLB career and in 2011, Matt Moore signed his long term deal with the Rays after 9.1 MLB innings.
If I am not mistaken he is referring to the fact that Singleton was still in the minors when they signed him. Though I’m not entirely sure about that.
Yeah I guess that it’s true he signed it the day before he made his debut, but I was just saying that less than a week later or after 9 innings is still signing a completely unproven commodity. While it was uncommon, it wasn’t unprecedented.
I’m sorry but this was not the first deal of it’s kind.
OMG!!! If a team wastes 10mil dollars on a 4yr contract that sure is the end of the world. Gimme a break. Some teams give out 100mil dollar bad contracts and you try to make a big deal out of this one?
This man had problems in the minors, high K, relatively low Gap power. They still jumped the gun giving him 10 million
Let’s all just agree that he will.get a try out with the Brewers. You know a change of venue
From a risk/reward standpoint, I think the front office still got a team-friendly deal on Singleton’s extension.
If he completely flamed out, that would set the Astros back a little more than $10M over the life of the deal – or, about $5M less than the Dodgers paid Brett Anderson this year for 11.1 IP.
If he became a regular, or even a part-time player, the Astros could control him at bargain pricing through 2021 – with the ability to opt out after ’18, ’19, and ’20.
While I wouldn’t bank on it at this point, Singleton could still feasibly be an MLB contributor. He’s still got big power and plate discipline, and is only entering his age-25 season.
I am indifferent towards the Rockies as a fan, but would love to see what he could do in Colorado.
You could say that about pretty much everyone
And another free swinging former big name prospect flames out. Perhaps Singleton will someday put it together, but for now it doesn’t look likely.
And yet another phillies overrated prospect. So many traded over the years that havent amounted to squat.
Yep. A good lesson in properly scouting the prospects of other teams and not simply buying into the media hype machine. It’s also a good lesson on not overvaluing prospects – anyone’s prospects.
I would guess exactly zero teams believe the “media hype machine” about prospects. They have scouting and internal evaluations.
Terrible post. This is not a lesson on overvaluing prospects, like not at all. Some guys make it, some guys don’t. Some guys figure it out right away, some take a little longer, and some never figure it out at all. Nothing new here and it’s certainly not an indicator on prospect value for anyone.
When you cling to your young players instead of cashing them in for crucial veteran pieces when the time is right to win, you have overvalued your prospects.
When you guarantee millions to a prospect before he even plays a week of Major League ball, you have overvalued your prospect. There’s a reason they are called prospects.
Yes and for every Jon Singleton theres an Evan Longoria. Point was you cant use one guys failure (or success) as the crux to your argument of prospect value
Would you say Yoan Moncada is overvalued? He was guaranteed tens of millions before he even set foot on merican soil. How about Jose Abreu? Same ****ing deal. Millions guaranteed before playing a single game of baseball in America. Some guys make it, same guys don’t. This isn’t anything new that hasn’t happened a million times over already.
A Kris Bryant. An Anthony Rizzo.Javy Baez. A Wilson Contreras.An Addison Russell.A Kyle Hendricks. Maybe they missed in Soler? Un real!
Same for every team.
Are outright waivers pretty much the same as a dfa?
After a DFA, a team has 10 days to trade, release or place the player on outright waivers. Sometimes teams go straight to the waivers option without disgusting them for assignment, which takes more time.
Wondered about this guy and that contact. I can play for $10m and hit about .200 too if someone wants to sign me
If I were thrown onto an MLB team right now, I’d probably bat around .018, so if you can bat .200 you should probably start looking for minor league deals.
Beer League? Sure. But you’ll have to lower your asking price.
Singleton will certainly get some strong consideration from the Rox and Mil at the very least. What do they have to lose? Give him a shot and if he blows it he can give Japan a try. AJ Reed’s stock has plummeted as well. If the Stros land a good 1B, they are looking good in 2017 if their pitching comes around
Reed’s stock hasn’t plummeted. He’s still a highly rated prospect just like he was this time last year.
You want him as your starting 1B next year?
Yankees should take a flyer on him since they saved about 20 mil when they traded McCann… competition always makes teams better.
If he clears enough teams I think they would, especially with that short porch in LF. This guy probably hits 30HR if he plays a full year at yankee stadium and the Yankees don’t have anyone locking down 1B in the near future. I doubt he falls to the Yankees though, I hope my A’s pick him up to play 1B.
You realize Singleton was genuinely terrible in AAA, right? I don’t see why any team would give him a 40-man roster spot. He’s a Spring Training invite at best. It’s not like there’s a magic spell at Yankee Stadium or Coors Field that makes every player a great hitter.
No one locked in to play first? Greg bird, Tyler austin.
Those guys have a lot of potential but they’re not locks.
If I’m the White Sox I’m all over this on waivers if they are rebuilding. Money doesn’t matter. If he works out he would still be worth it.
Sending Abreu to Houston could net quite a return. They have a need and a very nice farm system.
Since Berkman was traded, the Astros have been unable to find a legit first baseman.
Good for Singleton that he scored a $10M deal. I hope it sets him up for life.
When a team is rebuilding not all the parts end up working out. Astros gambled and lost with Singleton, but that’s nothing compared to the tens of millions the Dodgers spend annually to players who were cut loose years ago.
Gosh, yeah, remember Alex Guerrero? Erisbel Arrebuena? Hector Olivera? Money papers over mistakes for sure.
I think with regards to Singleton, I think it’s important to note that he was criticized for taking that deal at the time, as he was giving away so much future earnings. But he had been through a rough time in his life before baseball with addiction, and I’m sure for him some sort of security was really important. If he wasn’t careless with his money 6 million or whatever was left after taxes and paying his agent should help him be set up for life.
Maybe he couldn’t find a good dealer out there, send him back east and let him blaze up and watch him get hot at the plate. :/
I guess it’s easy to make fun of marijuana smokers. But you have no idea what you’re talking about.
Exactly. The stupid weed comment was just absolutely stupid. MLBTR used to moderate these discussions and I know they can’t moderate them all. But that guy needs to be deleted.
I completely agree with you sir, the ones that make fun of situations are usually the least educated about the subject.
Not true.
Very easy.
It’s easy to ridicule idiots that piss a career away.
Phillies could use some AA talent.
Ok enough bout this scrub. Let me hear any opinions. DeSclafani & Phillips to the Braves for Fried, Whalen, Blair & Jace.
Reds say no. Fried is about the one of any value you included on that side. Need way more for Desclafani. Anyone can get Phillips for cash relief and a lottery ticket I think, if he’s willing to waive his NTC this time around
That’s the thing he grew up in Stone Mountain and has declined waiving his No a Trade before. I think the Braves are the only team he would do it for and we can use him for a year til Albies is ready. Now if you think it would take more please elaborate on who we would have to give up. Blair was a Top 100 prospect last year sinker ball pitcher for that ball park. Fried is our 2nd or 3rd best SP prospect and Jace is a super utility type
Bout time!!!!!
Ever since the kid got caught smoking weed and was forced to stop, he went downhill!