The Mariners have announced that they’ve designated infielder/outfielder Richie Shaffer for assignment. The move clears roster space for incoming starting pitcher Chris Heston, who was acquired in a trade with the Giants that is now official.
The Mariners acquired Shaffer (along with Taylor Motter) in a small deal with the Rays last month. The 25-year-old Shaffer was the 25th overall pick in the draft in 2012. He’s spent parts of the past two seasons in the big leagues, batting .213/.310/.410 in 142 plate appearances. He was unimpressive in a larger sample this year at Triple-A Durham, batting .227/.329/.367 in 496 trips to the plate. He had a strong year on the farm in 2015, swatting 26 homers, and he’s capable of playing first base, third base or right field, so it’s not impossible a team could take a chance on him as a waiver claim.
Wasn’t this guy supposed to be Longoria’s heir apparent to 3B?
More like the heir apparent at 1st. Shaffer was more than likely never going to play 3rd regularly for the Rays.
No, because Longo isn’t even that old.
I mean he’s 31, he’s going to tail off soon or later.
But I can see what your saying
That’s what the scuttlebutt was when he was drafted. Team had high hopes for him, but that was when Longo was having the string on injuries. Since then he hasn’t had a way to third, and he was moved to first. Mix inconsistent playing time, without being able to put the bat together in the majors, and you get what happened to Shaffer. Which is a shame, I loved the kid, and was bummed to see him go.
He will probally go through and be put in AAA, I guess someone might pick him in rule 5 but I doubt any team will want to keep him on 25 all year.
Well actually I’m now thinking that he’s probally going to go somewhere else so I really don’t know.
He isn’t Rule V eligible, he can be had for free on waivers in the same order though.
Didnt agree trading him in the first place. We better get him back. Really questioning our managments leadership.
Cards need to take a flyer on this kid.
My hope is that the Royals take a flier on him. We need some pop and if he can recapture any glimmer of his 2015 AAA numbers than he would be a great piece to have. Worse case scenario, he is a versatile, power bench bat on a minor league deal. Seems like a safe investment with no risk and enough upside.
Royals have guys in Minors 1B/3B.
I wouldn’t mind the jays picking him up as maybe a bench bat – 4th OF/Backup 1B if we can find away to get rid of smoak or if we miss out on a big named outfielder. just a thought, definitely a last resort though.
The sad thing is this guy isn’t even as good as Smoak.
with a chance, maybe he could be a lot better. we’ve seen stranger things. think of schimp in SD. he wasn’t supposed to have the year he just had. you never know.
You are correct. Seems like a nice guy and a hard worker, but his swing is easily exploited. That being said, I could the White Sox taking him a filler after a potential Frazer trade.
– Could see –
– as filler –
Phone typing blues.
Guys hire Burke full time.