The Rays have designated righty Oliver Drake for assignment, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports on Twitter. His roster spot will go to outfielder Avisail Garcia, whose previously reported signing is now official.
It’s not terribly surprising to see Drake again dropped from a 40-man roster, as it seems his fate to end up in DFA limbo at least once every few months. In addition to his many prior trips into that netherworld, Drake has thrice moved through limbo this offseason alone. This isn’t even the first time he has been cast away by the Tampa Bay org since the 2018 season drew to a close.
Whether the 32-year-old will clear waivers or again end up on the move remains to be seen, but the smart money may be on a deal. Quite a few teams obviously still see the potential in his right arm, given that he appeared with an eye-popping five MLB teams last year and has since continued to bounce around the waiver wire. As we have explained on quite a few prior occasions, Drake has long produced intriguing peripherals. While that hasn’t often led to equivalent results, he did finish on a strong run last year with the Twins.
On the road again
“Hate the Drake!”
Seems like everyone does. Good one.
I was told Drake was designated because he booked his wedding the same day as the Super Bowl.
So it begins again!
For those who saw the play/movie “Oliver”….you can sing along……
“Old Arm
Arm for sale”…….
youtube.com/watch?v=M4CVZnGJIzQ
Oliver Drake could borrow the nickname of Harry Leon “Suitcase” Simpson, a somewhat frequently traded MLB player in the 1950s.
“Who will buy this wonderful player…?”
Two thumbs up for using the words netherworld and thrice! And in the same sentence!That’s what separates the pros from the wannabes. Remarkable!
If I want you to bunt, I’ll touch my belt buckle
not once, not twice, but thrice.
I mean, seeing as how he didn’t even hit the waiver wire last time (Acq. via trade), I think he’s on the move again. Every peripheral statistic indicates that he’s due to find some level of success. Most of his struggles have simply been the product of poor fortune.
Wow.. of all people, well I hope the jays pick him up AGAIN lol.. not sure if we have a roster spot though
I want to see the Royals put in a claim. Even his bottom line results would be better than some of the guys in that bullpen
KC does seem like a good place. Or maybe Baltimore. He was actually pretty good with the Twins.
Seems like the kinda guy the Pirates would go after…
LOL, if Drake performs anywhere near his peripherals, there are a lot of GMs out there who’ll be questioned on their decision to DFA him.
I have a dream of visiting every MLB stadium.
It seem Drake has a very similar dream, but will achieve it in a wildly different way.
I’d like to do that, too. But Drake will at least get paid doing it.
Drake seems to be a lock for the 2018-19 MLB Golden Tumbleweed trophy. “I’d especially like to thank all the organizations whose cities I never even set foot in. Without those teams pulling the chain on me so quickly I could have never achieved this honor.”
Ha ha! Good dry humor
Oliver Drake is so absurdly overrated…
I know, I got burned betting on him getting DFA’ed 47 times this offseason but he’s underperforming… probably not even going to get all the way to 40 DFA’s.
Maybe he should look to the Orient for steady work?
I can see it now.
Oliver Drake DFA’ed by Ham Fighters
Oliver Drake DFA’ed by Chiba Lotte Marines
Oliver Drake DFA’ed by Yomiuri Giants
Oliver Drake DFA’ed by Samsung Lions
Oliver Drake DFA’ed by Kia Tigers
Oliver Drake DFA’ed by SK Wyverns
Drake was designated for the first time on April 13, 2017. He’s been DFA’d nine times total.
Drake went to the Navy Academy, so he has a very good college education, although I don’t know what his degree is. If he has accumulated enough major-league time to get his pension and his lifetime health insurance, he probably has $1 million or so in the bank, and it might be time to hang it up and move on to his next career.
He certainly has a nice collection of major-league uniforms in his closet!
If he’s been putting a quarter a jar every time he gets DFA’ed he probably has $1m or so in the bank.
it’s in the Genes. Is Sir Francis Drake his Great great Grandfather? If so, California should be his next stop.
We seriously need an MLBTR original post on this guy’s transaction history.
He appeared in Major League games for 5 teams last year!! I wonder what the record is for teams played for in one season?
he set the new record. Jose Bautista, Oswaldo Arcia, and a few others held the record of 4 previously.