The A’s announced Friday that they’ve signed infielder Cliff Pennington to a minor league contract with an invite to Major League Spring Training. With this deal, the Sosnick, Cobbe & Karon client returns to the organization that originally drafted him and the team with which he made his Major League debut in 2008.
Pennington, 34, split the 2018 season between the Reds and Rangers organizations, appearing in 16 games with Cincinnati and tallying 34 plate appearances. The rest of his season was spent between the two clubs’ top minor league affiliates. Prior to that, Pennington had been playing with the Angels on a two-year contract, primarily serving as a utility infielder.
That utility role is one that Pennington has settled into over the course of an 11-year big league career. He’s shown plenty of versatility, with nearly 5000 innings at shortstop, 1600 innings at second base, 350 at third base and some brief work in the corner outfield. In that time, he’s drawn excellent reviews for his glovework at second base and solid marks for his defense at shortstop as well. A switch-hitter, Pennington is a lifetime .242/.309/.339 hitter in 3142 trips to the plate.
Man, brought back Anderson, Blevins, and now Cliff, it’s only fitting we bring back Gio now as well at this point.
And never let Cliff see the mlb roster. Garbage.
Or McGuire and Canseco…..
It’s McGwire
Who is McGuire?
…he was on the same team with Dennis Akersley……
Rocky Handersan was the anchor for that club?
Pinder getting dealt for sure
My thoughts to. Bosox need a RH hitter and they have catching the A’s need.
A’s don’t need catching anymore. Pheghley, Hundley, and Hermann.
jeopardy question: Name 3 catchers you don’t want to be the main catcher for the A’s.
I mean I prefer them not to roll with those 3 and have a more solid option but that’s not in the A’s nature to go get another catcher the same offseason they have signed 2.
Pinder played less than 200 innings on the IF lasted year. The A’s also added Profar in the offseason. Pinder is the A’s LHP platoon for LF – he’s not getting dealt because the A’s signed Pennington to a minor league deal.
They must not like baretto. Traded for profar, now add pennington as veteran depth insurance. Im all for trading baretto and/or fowler, canha etc if they get some much needed pitching in return
I was thinking the A’s might test Barreto in the outfield, but then they signed Grossman. A Barreto trade could be inevitable. They need some pitching indeed.
Congratulations! 6.5/10 comment.
You are starting to surprise people. You should be proud. Soon, you may no longer be a AAAA commentor. That ceiling is rising!
You could surprise yourself if you take some time to think about your commenting skills and stop bashing people about their opinions. You could see those upvotes start rising for you.
you are an angry elf, arent you?
i was merely pointing out you are a “commentor on the rise”, and giving some positive feedback. thats all.
Trolling is an illness, but it is be treatable. You just need to admit you have a problem and help yourself. I’ll pray for you. God help you!
Pennington was a putrid defender, before and during his time in Toronto. Scouting department needs a refresher on basic defensive fundamentals. He might be passable at 2B. That’s about it. Doesn’t run or hit well enough to deserve a place on an MLB roster.
I wouldn’t say his defense was putrid. He had a +dWAR almost every year. Yet, it is a little crazy he was a 1st round pick. It is his offense that was putrid.
No, I stand by my statement. dWAR weights too much in theoretical data and some guesstimation. He is not a strong defender and I cannot believe this is even a discussion from his torturous performance up to date.
“He’s drawn excellent reviews for his glove work at second base and solid marks for his defense at shortstop as well.”
What is your argument for his “putrid” defense?
One of those guys that makes you wonder how bad exactly are guys in the minors that this guy has leeched on for 11 years.
Breaking News: A’s sign Carney Lansford to compete for a backup catcher role, expected to win job based on his overall hygenic appeal!
And Terry Steinbach
Why would Carney Landsford be considered funny in an attempt at a joke about catchers? You couldn’t pull out Mike Heath, Scott Hemond or Mickey Tettleton? Langford was a 3B.
Carney Lansford is the only former oakland athletic worth bringing back at any position at any time. Carney now, Carney forever.
I’m sure Daric Barton, Ryan Sweeney and Landon Powell are looking for work. Maybe Dana Eveland can shore up the rotation
Throwbacks for sure
Let’s go 2011 A’s!
You forgot about Greg Smith
What is the purpose on this signing? Depth in the minors? If so, guess this is OK…
Solve 2 problems for 2 different teams: BLAKE (Swihart) for BLAKE (Trienan)……see how easy it is?
(and yes, I’m kidding)…….
(the A’s would have to include some International Bonus slots)…..
Swilhart will be the Nick Franklin player in a few years. high end prospect signing a minor league contract near spring training.
He’s coming home!
This is a pre season training minor league insurance policy. Someone gets injured in your infield? Here’s Cliff with 8000 innings of experience from 6-5-4… You can argue with the order of numeric(s)…
Bit bemusing that it takes a clueless guy from London to point out that about 80% (metrics driven on the tomfoolery scale (MdTS+)) of what we’re rumouring (sic) about is this type of deal.