Sunday’s minor moves from around baseball:
- The Braves have announced a one-year major league agreement with left-handed reliever Jacob Lindgren, whom the Yankees non-tendered Friday. The 2014 second-round pick briefly cracked the majors in 2015, but elbow issues limited him both that year and this past season. Lindgren threw just seven innings in 2016 – all with the Yankees’ High-A affiliate – before undergoing Tommy John surgery in August. The 23-year-old could miss all of next season while recovering from the procedure, but the Braves will retain his rights beyond then if he’s on their 40-man roster, as ESPN’s Keith Law notes (via Twitter).
- Two days after the Reds non-tendered Gabby Guerrero, the club has re-signed the outfielder to a minor league deal, according to Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer (Twitter link). The Reds claimed the nephew of former major league star Vladimir Guerrero off waivers from the Diamondbacks last week. The soon-to-be 23-year-old was a well-regarded prospect with the Mariners at one time, but he struggled with the Seattle and Arizona organizations over the past two seasons. Guerrero posted a .223/.258/.346 line in 488 Double-A plate appearances in 2015, when he was part of a trade involving Mark Trumbo and Welington Castillo, and stumbled to a combined .234/.281/.383 showing with the D-backs’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliates last season.
Sorry to see him go. Having said that even best case Lindgren is probably 2 to 3 years away from contributing at the Major League level if he’s able to even then.
I remember Yankees fans acting like this guy was some kind of future stud Closer.
Cause he will be a good player eventually. They rushed him to the majors and then he got hurt.
Well many scouts said he was MLB ready. Unfortunately injuries including TJS happened. And here were reports on him – link to riveraveblues.com
Random but true , he was the youngest pitcher (possibly still is) to ever face Bryce Harper.
Connor, can you please clarify something:
By signing Lindgren to a major league deal, they can option him to the minors after the 2017 season and still control his rights for several more seasons?
If so, this is somewhat similar to taking a Rule 5 player and stashing him in the bullpen or on the bench (i.e. Oscar Hernandez in ARI), which would be a smart move.
They signed him to probably a major league rehab deal.
Where he spends the offseason on the 40 man, but when teams can use the 60 day DL he will be placed on it and rehab through the Braves facility/rehab experts.
They wouldn’t option him to the minors if they can just get him off the 40 by placing him on the major league 60 day DL
Atlanta has room on their 40 to carry Lindgren ?
They can afford that ?
They non-tendered Withrow.
…not a hugely deep 40 I am guessing…
If you are thinking that this means there is no room for them to make a rule 5 pick, than you are correct. That being said, Lindgren probably has more future potential than anybody typically available in the rule 5 draft, and can be kept in the organization by being placed on the 60-day DL (and off the active roster), unlike a rule 5 pick. I love this deal
Damn, I wanted the Jays to get Lindgren. Didn’t think he’d get an MLB deal but it makes sense.
I’m not sure why the Yankees didn’t keep him on the 60 day DL since that doesn’t count towards the 40 man roster. You’d think they’d keep him on at least long enough to see if he can still play once he heals.
Guessing they feel they already have other ‘higher-ceiling’ and healthier talent in their system.
Reds claimed Gabby Guerrero, nontendered him, and resigned him as a minor league free agent, adding talent to their farm system while also clearing a roster spot for a rule 5 pick. Nice.
I didn’t think he deserved a 40 man roster spot, but he’s a nice guy to add to the organization as a no-risk gamble.