The Dodgers announced today that they have designated three players: righty Erik Goeddel, lefty Zac Rosscup, and infielder/outfielder Tim Locastro. Meanwhile, the club released right-hander Tom Koehler, who signed with the club as a free agent last winter but was arbitration-eligible.
Those moves helped create space for new additions to the 40-man roster. Notable prospects Keibert Ruiz and Yadier Alvarez were selected, along with infielders Matt Beaty and Edwin Rios as well as right-hander Josh Sborz.
Goeddel, who’s a month from his 30th birthday, was rather effective last year after several tough campaign. He worked to a 2.95 ERA in 36 2/3 innings with the Mariners and (mostly) Dodgers. Goeddel racked up 44 strikeouts but also issued twenty walks.
Those productive innings were expected to come from Koehler, who signed a $2MM deal last winter but ended up being sidelined all year due to injury. His season ended with shoulder surgery, so he’ll be looking for a place to rebuild value in 2019.
Rosscup has bounced around in recent years and has never yet entrenched himself in the majors. He did record twenty strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings for the Dodgers in 2018, but also coughed up three homers and six earned runs. As for Locastro, he has posted strong numbers at the plate in the minors over the past two years but has received scant MLB opportunity. He could appeal to teams that are looking for versatility, as he has plenty of experience playing up the middle on both the infield dirt and the outfield grass.
Sad to see Locastro off the roster. Hopefully he can get back quickly!
A bit surprised to see Ruiz added to the 40-man. He’s only 19 and should be a year or more away from the majors, so what’s the advantage?
To prevent losing him in the rule 5 draft.
He’s only 19 but debuted in 2015. He had to be added before his 5th minor league season (2019) or the Dodgers would lose him in the rule 5 draft.
Correct me if i’m wrong but doesn’t the player (if drafted at 18 or younger) need to have 5 accrued seasons? At 19 and older it then goes down to 4 accrued seasons? Ruiz currently has 4 seasons and Alvarez has 3.
Keibert signed in 2014
“For this year, that means an international or high school Draft pick signed in 2014 — assuming he was 18 or younger as of June 5 of that year — has to be protected. A college player taken in the 2015 Draft is in the same position.”
https://www.mlb.com/news/top-rule-5-eligible-prospects-for-all-30-teams/c-300531350
He doesn’t have to accrue 5 seasons. It’s easier to think of it this way. He basically has to be added and protected upon his 5 offseason in which he signed. He was signed in July 2014. So 2014-2015 was his first offseason in the .org even though he didn’t play in 14.
Ah. I see he turned 20 in July, not that it matters. Also, if I’ve counted right, the Dodgers are now carrying four catchers on the 40-man. That suggests something needs to give in the backstop department.
Not losing him for free
Pretty bummed that Koehler didn’t work out. Failed starters seem to always have this tendency to become great relievers. He looked solid in brief stint with TOR. I was hoping LA would try to get him on a low salary 2 year deal and hope he could potentially help in late 19′ and in 20′. They needed the roster spot though so oh well. Best of luck to him in the future.
Hes signing a minor league vontract with L.A.
Great moves by Dodgers.. Ruiz might be 20 but already better than Barnes. Been waiting for sborz and Alvarez tho.. although wouldn’t be shocked if Alvarez is in a trade this offseason
May see Goeddel, Rosscup, and Locastro clear waivers and assigned to OKC. Koehler? Depending on health, the Dodgers could give Koehler a minor league contract with ST invite. Look for Gale to be DFA as soon as Dodgers acquire another catcher.
They currently have four catchers on the 40-man: Barnes, Gale, Farmer, and now Ruiz. Agree they probably have to DFA Gale but if they go after another catcher that gets the count back to four.
I’ve seen Rios play the past two seasons and he seems like a decent player. He doesn’t have a clear path to the majors at 1B. Any dodger fans out there know where he fits?
In Tampa Bay.
In the AL after a trade
He’s actually played more 3B but that doesn’t give him any clearer path.
The problem is he’s not very good at 3rd. They tried to add to his versatility, but he’s not a viable long term option there at least at the mlb level.
Understood, but given that the Dodgers have been playing him recently more at 3B than at 1B in the high minors suggests to me they believe he can get better. Either way his path to the majors is unclear at best on the Dodgers, so he’s probably trade bait at this point.
So basically he is another Willie Calhoun?
I’m not sure if you can draw that conclusion Beaty was injured for a huge portion of the year as was Segedin before DFA, they bounced Farmer around, and Joe just hit to the point where both had to be in the lineup. Joe in that same mold as there might/maybe someone there. But anyways off track, He played there out of need rather than belief. But while he doesn’t have a clear path, he could see himself in the bigs with the Dodgers should Muncy falter or injury. Or maybe as a solid 3rd piece in a trade.
The big problem with Calhoun was that he’s 5’8. Calhoun is a better overall hitter. Rios can play 1st and they tried to extract some defensive value at 3rd, because of his canon. So not necessarily a perfect comp. But realistically he’s a decent fielder at 1st. Rios can flat rake, his walk rate was paltry, but there are reasons to like him offensively.