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Archives for June 2019

Leonys Martin Clears Waivers, Elects Free Agency

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Outfielder Leonys Martin, designated for assignment by the Indians last Saturday, has cleared waivers and elected free agency, per the club.

Martin, 31, sandwiched an excellent 2018 season (2.5 fWAR in just 83 games) between two very poor ones. In 264 plate appearances for the Tribe this season, the nine-year vet’s slashed just .199/.276/.343 on the way to below-replacement-level output. Strikeouts have a particular issue for the one-time defensive wiz – Martin’s been set down in nearly 30% of his PAs this season, easily a career worst and up nearly 8% from his injury-shortened campaign a season ago.

The good/bad alternation has been something of a career pattern for Martin, who boasts a career 81 wRC+ despite four seasons of 87 or better in the category. The Cuban’s been much more stable on the defensive side of the ball, though his league-pacing marks from his days in Texas have long since dissolved.

It’s likely, given his tendency to flash star-level play on occasion, that Martin will hook on with another club in the near future, perhaps one with an immediate defensive need at all three outfield spots. Even in down years, the lefty’s always been a capable threat when armed with the platoon advantage, so he’d figure to still fit well as a fifth-outfielder type on a contending team.

Cubs DFA Carlos Gonzalez, Place Cole Hamels On IL, Recall Dillon Maples, Rowan Wick

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The scene in the Cubs clubhouse Friday suggested a DFA was coming for Carlos Gonzalez, per MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian (via Twitter), who noted Gonzalez receiving handshakes and hugs from teammates. CarGo indeed was put on waivers earlier today, per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter). The team has officially announced the move, along with a trio of corresponding roster moves: Cole Hamels goes on the 10-day injured list, while relievers Rowan Wick and Dillon Maples have been recalled from Triple-A.

The Cubs would like to send Gonzalez to the minors, per Heyman, though he would first have to go unclaimed, and second accept the assignment. If he does go unclaimed, the writing would be on the wall for Gonzalez, who then might be willing to accept a minor league assignment to stay in the Cubs organization.

The Gonzalez DFA was precipitated by the Hamels injury, which overtaxed the bullpen and pushed the Cubs to add a pair of arms before today’s game. Hamels left yesterday’s game after one inning with an oblique injury. Mike Montgomery, Brad Brach, and Kyle Ryan each pitched for more than one inning apiece, while Steve Cishek pitched for the second straight game. Maples and Wick rejoin the club today to serve as reinforcements.

CarGo managed a couple of nice moments during his short stint in Chicago, including a diving catch in the outfield in his first weekend, but a listless offensive performance ultimately made him expendable in Chicago, as he had been in Cleveland previous. In 15 games with the Cubs – half as much time as he spent with the Indians – Gonzalez hit only .175/306/.300 with three extra-base hits.

Gonzalez has maintained a good approach in his age-33 season with a 10.8 BB% that’s higher than his career average. Strikeouts have been more frequent (31.3 K%), but even more troubling has been his inability to get any lift. In 166 plate appearances for the Cubs and Indians, Gonzalez has mustered a mere .083 isolated power mark while hitting the ball on the ground 56.4 % of the time. Statcast puts Gonzalez’ launch angle for the year at just 1.7 – not a sustainable mark for a major league hitter.

Gonzalez has fit well in the Cubs clubhouse, and he was a fun attraction for a few weeks, but ultimately the Cubs cannot afford to be patient with the veteran slugger. While there are at-bats for the taking in the Cubs outfield, it’s not necessarily an area of need with Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora, Jason Heyward, and Kris Bryant on hand. They’d certainly prefer a degree of greater offense from Almora in particular, but CarGo is not to be the answer.

Though they will use Gonzalez’ roster spot on a pitcher for the moment, the fourth outfielder role could eventually be returned to Mark Zagunis, who held the role early in the season, or Ian Happ, who continues to refine his approach in Triple-A.

Tigers Sign Trevor Rosenthal

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The Tigers agreed to terms with Trevor Rosenthal today on a Minor League deal, per the team’s PR department (via Twitter). Rosenthal has been assigned to Triple-A.

This move has been expected for a couple of days now, but Rosenthal is officially on his way to Toledo to join the Mud Hens. Adding Rosenthal is a nice no-risk move for the Tigers, who are going nowhere fast this season and therefore have a longer leash to give Rosenthal.

He still has electric stuff, but in his first game action since missing all of 2018, the former Cardinals closer has shown a complete inability to direct his high-90s heater. The inefficiency of his performance in Washington – to be kind – has been well-documented, but it’s still staggering to see: -1.0 rWAR in 6 1/3 innings, 22.74 ERA (10.13 FIP), 21.3 BB/9, 0.33 BB/K, and of course, he did not record an out until his 5th appearance of the season. Rosenthal carries a disproportionately large share of the Nationals bullpen struggles, as even their recent bullpen blowup against the Braves – pegged as a ’here-we-go-again’ moment in DC – can be laid at Rosenthal’s feet (Joe Ross burdens a smidgen of the blame as well).

Despite this unimaginably bad start, he will have some time to get himself back on track out of the national spotlight. Given that the Nationals are on the hook for all but the minimum, the Tigers really have nothing to lose by giving Rosenthal more reps in the minors. Again, he’s still averaging 98 mph on his fastball, and if Rosenthal can to snap back to form, his live arm still plays as a late-in-games weapon.

MLB Draft Signings: 6/29/19

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We’ll use this post to track some of the day’s draft signings…

  • The Cubs signed their 3rd rounder to below-slot value today, per MLB.com’s Jim Callis (via Twitter). Michael McAvene signs for $500K, just a little below his potential value as the 103rd overall pick in the draft – slot value of $565,600. He appeared in 23 games out of the Cardinals bullpen this season, going 2-0 with a 2.73 ERA across 33 innings. He struck out 50 versus only 11 walks, good marks for the righty, who chucked a mid-90s heater as a reliever. There’s at least a chance the Cubs will try to convert him to a starter moving forward.
  • The Mariners signed their supplemental 2nd rounder Isaiah Campbell for $850K, tweets Callis. Slot value for the 76th pick in the draft is $818,200, but Seattle felt Campbell was worth splurging for. Campbell rocks a mid-90s heater that touches 98 mph, and he has a couple of interesting secondary pitches as well. Campbell helmed the staff for the Arkansas Razorbacks this season, goin 12-1 with a 2.13 ERA in 18 starts. He struck out 125 batters versus only 22 walks, promising numbers for Seattle’s new righty. Fun fact from Callis, Campbell would be the first major leaguer from Portugal since the illustrious Frank Thompson in 1875.

Twins Reinstate Byron Buxton and Marwin Gonzalez, Option Jake Cave and LaMonte Wade Jr.

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Centerfielder Byron Buxton and utility bat Marwin Gonzalez have been reinstated from the injured list, per Dustin Morse of the Minnesota Twins (via Twitter). In corresponding moves, outfielders Jake Cave and LaMonte Wade Jr. are optioned back to Triple-A Rochester.

Buxton ultimately missed 13 games with a wrist contusion. His reemergence has been a major story for the Twins, as just a year after spending time in the minors, Buxton has sprung back to form with a .266/.324/.527 line. Like the rest of the Twins, power has really been his calling card. He’s mashed 21 doubles, 3 triples, and 9 home runs, good for a .261 ISO.

Gonzalez also rejoins the club after a minimal stint on the IL with a hamstring strain. Gonzalez, 30, has produced as promised in Minnesota, slashing .255/.323/.420, which aligns almost exactly with career averages. Defensively, he has been every bit the swiss-army-knife for Minnesota as he was for Houston, appearing at every position except pitcher, catcher, and centerfield, though he has by far been utilized most often at third base.

Wade Jr.’s stay in Minneapolis proved very short. He appeared just once, playing six innings in right field yesterday and getting hit by a pitch in two plate appearances. Cave was granted a little more opportunity, appearing in 28 games so far this season for the Twins. While playing all three outfield positions, Cave hit just .176/.299/.243 with 28 strikeouts in 74 at-bats.

 

Rays Designate Casey Sadler For Assignment

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Right-handed reliever Casey Sadler has been designated for assignment, per MLB.com’s Juan Toribio (via Twitter).

With two-way star Brendan McKay set to join the big league club for the first time today, the Rays had a roster move to make in order to accommodate the selection of McKay’s contract. McKay gets the start today against the Rangers at home.

Sadler’s DFA comes as a bit of a surprise, as he’s been an effective long reliever for the Rays. Of course, the Rays are flush with relievers, and given their dynamic bullpen management, turn left in Tampa and you’re bound to run into a reliever of Sadler’s ilk.

Still, Sadler appeared in 9 games for the Rays this season, soaking up 19 1/3 innings with a sterling 1.86 ERA. Other metrics are less gaudy, however, as he’s managed just 5.1 K/9 versus 2.3 BB/9 and a 4.32 FIP, 4.68 xFIP.

Sadler, 28, was drafted by the Pirates, for whom he appeared for brief stints in 2014, 2015, and 2018, accumulating 19 2/3 innings across those three seasons. Sadler doesn’t have swing-and-miss stuff, but as a guy who pitches to contact, he has a long track record of making it work in the minors, including this season when he has a 2.76 ERA for Triple-A. Should Sadler go unclaimed, the Rays would likely be happy to reassign him back to Durham, but it would not be a surprise at all to see another team take a chance on Sadler given his performance in Tampa.

Red Sox Activate Hector Velazquez, Place Brian Johnson On IL

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9:45 am: Johnson is suffering from an intestinal issue, tweets Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe. The injury is not expected to be serious.

8:21 am: Brian Johnson was placed on the 10-day injured list prior to this weekend’s London Series, the Red Sox announced.

Johnson has stayed back in Boston because of a “non-baseball related medical matter that was discovered during routine testing.” Though there’s no given timetable for Johnson’s return, he is expected to pitch again this season. The lefty has a 6.43 ERA on the season across only 14 innings.

Hector Velazquez was reinstated from the IL to take Johnson’s roster spot. Valazquez, like Johnson, has been used as a swingman this season, making 7 starts and appearing 12 times out of the pen. Combined he’s 1-3 with a 5.59 ERA (4.52 FIP).

Sam Travis was also added to the roster as the 26th man for the London Series, while catcher Oscar Hernandez is also traveling with the team to serve as an emergency option. Travis has been effective in Triple-A, slashing .270/.367/.432, but that production has yet to translate in 24 big league at-bats.

Pitcher Notes: Vazquez, Brewers, Luzardo, White Sox, Padres

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The Brewers expressed interest in Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez last summer, though talks didn’t go anywhere, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports. The left-handed Vazquez would have teamed with Brewers southpaw Josh Hader and righty Jeremy Jeffress to form a nigh-unhittable relief trio on paper, perhaps one that could have pushed the club over the top in the National League. He remains a Pirate, though, and the Vazquez-less Brewers fell to the Dodgers in a seven-game NLCS last year.  Milwaukee may call its division rival again this year about Vazquez (if the Brewers haven’t already), but it’ll continue to be incredibly difficult for anyone to pry him out of Pittsburgh.

  • Rehabbing Athletics lefty Jesus Luzardo threw five innings and 66 pitches at the Triple-A level Thursday. He’ll extend to six innings and 90 pitches Tuesday, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. The highly touted 21-year-old prospect hasn’t gotten to debut in the majors yet because of a shoulder strain he suffered late in the spring, but the hope is he’ll burst on the scene next month to bolster the playoff-contending A’s rotation. The club needs Luzardo’s assistance, having lost ace Frankie Montas to an 80-game performance-enhancing drug suspension a week ago.
  • At 6 1/2 games back of a wild-card spot, the White Sox may be closer to playoff position than expected this season. However, general manager Rick Hahn unsurprisingly isn’t going to mortgage the future for short-term pitching help prior to the deadline, Bruce Levine of 670 The Score writes. Asked Friday about adding an established starter in the next month, Hahn said: “”I wouldn’t say you can count on additions at the deadline that will be short-term fixes. Our focus going to remain long term.” Hahn admitted Chicago “would like to add controllable starting pitching,” but he quickly noted that’s a goal for every team in the game. Below-average starting pitching has prevented the White Sox from making a more serious playoff push this year. While Lucas Giolito has been tremendous, the team hasn’t gotten respectable production from any of its other starters.
  • Injured Padres reliever Aaron Loup will return in “late August, early September if things go well,” manager Andy Green said Friday (via AJ Cassavell of MLB.com). It’s clear this will go down as a mostly lost season for Loup, whom the Padres signed to a one-year, $1.2MM contract entering the campaign. The 31-year-old lefty has been on the injured list since April 9 because of a forearm strain. Loup was effective in a small sample of work before then, throwing 3 1/3 scoreless innings of two-hit ball with five strikeouts against one walk.

Minor MLB Transactions: 6/28/19

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Friday’s minor moves from around baseball…

  • The Reds have released right-hander Nick Travieso, per Doug Gray of RedsMinorLeagues.com. This ends a long Reds tenure for Travieso, who had been a member of the organization since it selected him 14th overall in the 2012 draft. As Gray explains, though, the 25-year-old Travieso’s velocity hasn’t returned to previous levels since shoulder issues kept him out of action from the end of the 2016 campaign until earlier this season. Travieso threw just three innings in rookie ball this year before the Reds said goodbye to him.
  • Orioles lefty Sean Gilmartin has cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, the team announced. The Orioles designated Gilmartin for assignment Tuesday after he gave up five earned runs in 2 1/3 innings during his lone major league start of 2019. The 29-year-old has been far better this season in Norfolk, where he has pitched to a 2.48 ERA/2.83 FIP with 9.91 K/9, 2.72 BB/9 and a 47.9 percent groundball rate in 36 1/3 innings and 17 appearances (two starts).

Cubs To Place Cole Hamels On Injured List

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Cubs southpaw Cole Hamels exited his start Friday with a left oblique strain, manager Joe Maddon told Jordan Bastian of MLB.com and other reporters. The severity of the injury won’t be known until Hamels undergoes an MRI, but he will go on the injured list, according to Maddon.

Oblique issues often lead to weeks-long absences, which is one of the last thing the Cubs need in this instance. The Cubs are already without their top starter, Kyle Hendricks, who hasn’t pitched since June 14 because of shoulder inflammation and may not return until after the All-Star break. Beyond that, Chicago’s rotation hasn’t gotten great performances from the established trio of Jon Lester, Jose Quintana and Yu Darvish.

With their starters not firing on all cylinders this year, the Cubs are sitting a somewhat disappointing 44-38, though they do hold a half-game lead over the second-place Brewers in the NL Central. The Cubs lost for the 11th time in 18 games Friday, when Hamels lasted a mere one inning against the Reds. The 35-year-old was amid yet another quality season before suffering his oblique strain, as evidenced by a 2.98 ERA/3.56 FIP with 8.76 K/9, 3.16 BB/9 and a 51.1 percent groundball rate in 99 2/3 innings.

Hamels’ injury could certainly affect the Cubs’ plans leading up to the July 31 trade deadline. For now, though, they’ll have to make do with in-house arms after Lester, Quintana and Darvish. Tyler Chatwood and prospect Adbert Alzolay have each started games of late, though neither righty has soaked up many innings in those showings. The Cubs also have experienced lefty swingman Mike Montgomery, who replaced Hamels on Friday, but he has posted surprisingly subpar numbers this year and hasn’t thrown more than 2 1/3 innings in a game since May 9. Otherwise, the Cubs may have to dip into the minors if they want to find a Hamels replacement from within.

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