The Royals announced Tuesday that they’ve requested unconditional release waivers on infielder/outfielder Chris Owings. He was designated for assignment last week and will become a free agent once he clears in 48 hours. Kansas City has also recalled third baseman Kelvin Gutierrez from Triple-A Omaha.
Owings was brought in early this winter (Dec. 5) on a one-year, $3MM contract that ultimately didn’t pay dividends for Kansas City. The longtime Diamondbacks utilityman hit just .133/.193/.222 through 145 plate appearances with his new club while playing all three outfield positions, second base, third base and shortstop. Owings’ decision to pounce on an early big league offer from the Royals proved wise even looking beyond his poor play in K.C.; several other veteran infielders and outfielders lingered on the market and eventually signed for smaller guarantees (e.g. Josh Harrison) or minor league contracts (e.g. Jose Iglesias).
The 2019 season is the second straight rough campaign for Owings, who hit .206/.272/.302 through 309 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks in 2018. Overall, he’s never matched the gaudy numbers he put up as a prospect in Triple-A, when he once won Pacific Coast League MVP honors. But, Owings does have some speed (and is quite efficient at base stealing, as evidenced by a career 84 percent success rate), some gap power and experience playing nearly everywhere on the diamond. He could latch on with a club whose infield depth has been compromised or a team looking to bolster its bench with some versatility, but Owings’ play dating back to Opening Day 2018 makes a minor league pact seem the likeliest outcome for him.
In Gutierrez, the Royals will take a second look at one of the key pieces acquired in last season’s Kelvin Herrera trade with the Nationals. The 24-year-old hit .281/.300/.386 with 18 strikeouts against just two walks through 60 trips to the plate in his first look at the big league level earlier this year. He’s hitting at a .312/.430/.403 clip in 93 Triple-A plate appearances, however, and the Royals have some additional needs around the infield with 2019 breakout slugger Hunter Dozier on the injured list.
Buccos could use him
Was it Owings that the Bucs were reported to be asking about when he was still a Diamondback, or was it Nick Ahmed? I seem to remember Huntington being rumored to have inquired about one or maybe both of them.
Huntington was going after Owings last off season, but this is the type of player he loves. Multiple position players that usually can’t hit.
Can’t be a worse pitcher than Nick Kingham right now.
Looks like a classic Dipoto pickup for the Mariners. **shudder**
Perfect fit for the Mets right now
Worst Royal I’ve ever seen…and that’s saying a lot! I’ve watched the team for 40 years.
Yep.
Good to see Gutierrez back. Having Cuthbert on the roster brings back horrible 2018 memories. He was a pure rally-killer.
That’s harsh. He barely even played and was battling back problems all year. He had a very serviceable year when Moose blew out his knee and is hitting well so far this year.
Kelvin only had a .686 OPS earlier in the year? Looks a lot better than Owings .215 OPS!
……Sometimes new Teams,new Leagues don’t work,worth taking a chance on a Minor League Deal with his past Credentials and Athletic ability.
He can play a lot of positions which helps him
only like 30 games too late…