The return of Brandon Moss to the Athletics has proven short-lived, as was anticipated from the time he was picked up in a trade with the Royals. Oakland announced today that Moss was released after being designated for assignment over the weekend.
Moss, 34, will cost the A’s around $5MM in total — costs that were absorbed in order to enable the team’s acquisition of southpaw Ryan Buchter. That could still be offset by any MLB earnings Moss takes home this year, though a new team will only need to pay him at the league minimum salary.
It’s not exactly a hospitable market setting for the veteran slugger to enter. Moss, whose offensive productivity has fallen off in recent years, will almost certainly be looking at a minor-league deal. Adam Lind just took a minors pact, after all, despite quality output at the plate in 2017.
For Moss, things just haven’t been the same since he was dealt away by the A’s following a productive three-season run from 2012 through 2014. He did hit well enough in 2016 to earn a $12MM deal from Kansas City, but stumbled to a .207/.279/.428 slash line in 401 plate appearances last year. While Moss still hit the ball out of the yard 22 times, that doesn’t really stand out in a league environment that has seen a significant rise in the frequency of the long ball.
The rolling analytics ball gathers no Moss. #sorryhadto
The MLB needs to add a team or two because guys like Moss, while not spectacular, more than deserve to be on a major league roster.
What ever happened to earning their way onto a roster?
But, but, but, everybody’s a winner!
Oh my god, look at Lind? He hit 300 and still had to take a minors contract. I think a good idea would be adding a 26th man.
I still don’t fully understand why this idea hasn’t been pushed even harder than it has. It would seem to simultaneously aid so many of the problems facing both the players and mlb itself. Won’t know for sure till we try.
Lind has an opt out after spring training. If PT isn’t there, and another opportunity arises, he’ll opt out.
PS, like you, I think Lind probably undersold himself, even though the .303/.362/.513 with 14 homers, done as a platoon bat.
Lind was a 34 year old part time, bat only player in a market saturated with younger versions of him.
Yeah. We can call it “the good guys” and it’ll be filled with aging veterans clinging to one last hope of playing in the show. Would they be a 130 loss team?
So one aging veteran with still decent numbers gonna lose you 130 games??
That’s a terrible reason to add teams for one big reason: lack of quality depth on current rosters.
Do you want two teams with rotations headed by Kyle Kendrick and Mike Pelfry types? Do you want Ryan Goins and Aaron Hill getting 650 PA, putting up big negative WAR…but both going to the all-star game because each team gets a star?
Take all the free agents and form two teams. They wouldn’t finish last.
Hope the Braves take a look we could use cheap power til Acuna comes up
That’s what Preston tucker is for
Tigers should sign him for when miggy or vmart inevitably get injured
not a bad idea Mr.
Hey, the Rangers are signing all has been just a name now type player. (Lincecum, Colon) Why take a chance on Moss too!
Gallo. That’s why
He’s gonna retire
What’s more valuable over a three year span, a first baseman in a juiced-ball era who hits .220/.295/.439, or an outfielder in a pitcher-friendly era who hits .234/.318/.369?
That’s Brandon Moss’s past 3 years vs. Jason Bay on the Mets, and it’s not clear who’s worse. Long story short, Moss doesn’t deserve anything more than a minor league deal.
Moss to the Giants? Could backup in the outfield and first base for cheap.
My thoughts too, but how much room do they have with luxury tax?
I think they are less than 3 million below the luxury tax, but after 14 days of being DFA’d, I think any team can sign him under different terms. Maybe they can get him for the league minimum? If he’s anything like what he used to be, he could a valuable utility player.
A rolling stone gathers no moss ……but it sure gathers momentum
Maybe Toronto will sign him, as they seem to love picking up mediocre former Cardinals this offseason.
Hm, any teams looking for someone to DFA at the end of June
I like to believe in one of the, if not THE MOST depressed market for 1B/DH Types in memory, Moss will rejuvenate his career, with whomever, he signs with.
As bruinsfan94 alluded to before, Lind (who I believe is more talented at this point of their careers (albeit in 267 AB, <300PA, strictly in platoon role) only got a minor league deal with Yanks. Lind hit .303/.362/.513, with 14 HR compared to Moss’ .207/.279/.428, 22 HR in 362 AB. (About 100 AB more than Lind)
Wish Moss nothing but success. His earlier comments on CBA negotiated behalf of the players, were refreshing, compared to other players /people who scream collusion, or honestly… even strike. And even if Moss decides to hang up his cleats, I’m really hoping he finds a role in the future, working for the MLBPA-in some capacity— a whole other can of worms beyond playing, I selfishly think he’s more than capable of fulfilling, based on his well thought out comments on the CBA, earlier in offseason.
Good luck, Mr. Moss
The “Market” is not a market at all. Brandon Moss is being given $7.25M to not play.
So sad. Even sadder that I feel like the A’s will give up a decent prospect to get Moss back in a Trade this year.