Here are the day’s minor moves from around the league…
- The Nationals announced yesterday that they’ve signed former Blue Jays right-hander Dustin Antolin to a minor league deal and invited him to Major League Spring Training. The 27-year-old made his big league debut with the Jays in 2016, tossing two innings and surrendering three runs in his lone appearance. Antolin was tremendous during his time with Toronto’s Triple-A affiliate, pitching to a 2.04 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 53 innings. However, he didn’t reach the Triple-A level until his age-26 season and also displayed some control issues, walking 28 batters (4.8 BB/9) and hitting another three batters as well. The Hawaiian-born Antolin has a career 4.16 ERA in the minors and has averaged eight strikeouts against four walks per nine innings pitched.
- The Orioles announced the signing of first baseman/outfielder David Washington to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. Washington, who turned 26 on Sunday, had a big year in 2016, hitting a combined 30 homers between the Cardinals’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliates. His .259/.359/.532 slash line is impressive, but Washington is no stranger to strikeouts, as he whiffed in a bit more than 34 percent of his plate appearances last season. Since being selected in the 15th round of the 2009 draft, Washington has punched out in 30.6 percent of his professional plate appearances. Still, his power is intriguing, and he’ll give the O’s a depth piece as they seek out potential options in right field.
- Shortstop Wilfredo Tovar appears to have signed what is presumably a minor league deal with the Cardinals, as the infielder himself tweeted a thank you to the organization for his latest opportunity. The 25-year-old Tovar came up through the Mets system and made a pair of brief MLB appearances in 2013-14, collecting three hits in a tiny sample of 22 plate appearances. Once rated as one of the Top 15 prospects in the Mets’ system by Baseball America (and thrice rated as that system’s best defensive infielder), Tovar spent the 2016 campaign with the Twins’ Triple-A affiliate, where he served as their primary shortstop. Defensive prowess aside, Tovar doesn’t bring much to the table offensively; he hit .249/.301/.327 with one homer in 494 plate appearances at Triple-A last year, although he did chip in 29 steals (in 38 attempts) when he managed to reach base.
Good pickup by the O’s. I’ve seen Washington play, he’s a beast, though he does strikeout a ton.
Washington will fit in perfectly with our feast or famine team. I like this pick-up, fills basically the same role as Trumbo/Alvarez but significantly cheaper. I bet he’ll see some time in Baltimore by the end of the season.
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles reached an agreement with Phillies pitcher Frank Herrmann, via (link to sanspo.com). Contract details will soon be known through a press conference when he arrives in Japan.
That has zero to do with this article
Chill out, he’s just sharing info.
There is nothing wrong with what I posted, what I put up here is a minor transaction… which is relevant to the article title. I’ve been doing this for quite a while now, I only put up additional information about players heading overseas.
Man every offseason the Cardinals go after relief pitcher help. Never go after a big bat. Unless you’re a platoon guy the Cards will never look at you. Jesus…
It’s pretty early Moosemichaels. I have not had much faith in Mo doing much in that regard but this year is actually different. He said himself they like to stick with than “process” but they are also not used to seeing their rivals the Cubs win a World Series. Not in his lifetime obviously, so he did say it’s time to look outside their comfort zone. Trying to get a big bat and good defense isn’t easy. He also just went 4 years for a set-up relief pitcher so…….. hang in there. With both Moss and Holliday possibly gone that leaves the number 4 hole open for a trade. At least they better find someone to hit 3rd or 4th.
Your right, Mo always says we waiting on someone from AAA next year. They need a BIG bat
I doubt this signing was nothing more than depth for AAA club.
I am completely puzzled why the Brewers would claim Adam Walker off waivers to their 40 man instead of just signing Washington to a major league deal. Washington is a much better fit, as he is a LH bat (something the Brewers woefully lack) and plays 1B where the Brewers have nothing behind Chris Carter. Yeah Washington strikes out a lot, but not as much as Walker.
The player has a say in these things also. Maybe he would rather play in Baltimore.