The latest in minor moves from around the game…
- The Reds have released Zach Duke, per Mark Sheldon of mlb.com. Duke, now 36, has long been an effective reliever from the left side, but was viciously knocked around in 30 appearances for the club this season, posting identical 6.94 K and BB/9 marks in 23 IP. The lefty’s assortment of offspeed offerings has been death on same-side hitters for nearly a decade and a half now, but even southpaws crushed him this year, posting an eye-popping .250/.385/.500 slash through the season’s first half. He’s a decent bet to catch on elsewhere, given his track record, but the leash won’t be nearly as long this time around.
- Former Mets infielder T.J. Rivera has signed with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League, tweets Jon Heyman of MLB Network, who notes that the 30-year-old took much of the early season off to “fully recover” from his 2017 Tommy John Surgery. Rivera posted consecutive above-league-average offensive marks in limited time for the 2016 and ’17 Mets, though the club never seemed keen on giving him a full-time gig. A strong Indy showing should land him a spot in affiliated ball, though it may be too late this season for him to make a mark.
Too bad TJ couldn’t get a contract with a rebuilding team. He’s a pure hitter similar to Jeff McNeil on a lesser extent. Too bad injuries spelled his end with the Mets. They should’ve got him back on a minor league deal instead of signing washed up Espinosa.
He was with a rebuilding team, and even they dumped him. T.J. was a fan favorite in his very brief MLB stint and because of that, fans have greatly overhyped this guy.
1,1 bWAR over 106 games, idk what hype he ever had, but he’s still an interesting piece who shouldn’t be in indy ball too long. McNeil is a far, far superior player though and there is no reasonable comp between the two.
Rivera to long island is about as surprising as Khris Davis hitting .247
Or Oliver Drake being DFA’d.
Really hoping Zach Duke signs with the Cubs so he can complete his NL Central run through. He’s played with the 4 other NL Central teams. Unless someone snuck through since I last checked, I think he is the only guy left in the majors that is just one team away from sweeping a division.
So glad TJs back in NY. A smart scout will sign him back in the pros, which leaves out the Mets. He was no fan hype, just a pure hitter at every level, including the majors. Mets just couldn’t see it & used his injury as excuse to let him go.
So what’s your excuse for the other 29 teams passing on him?
He is with the Long Island Ducks and played his first game Saturday night since surgery. Absolutely smashed and responsible for both runs they had. He will be back soon. Nobody talked to him because he wasn’t a free agent and was rehabbing. Anymore dumb questions?
Rooting for TJ but to say he’s a pure hitter is not correct. He’s a very average player with average to below average skills across the board that just works his butt off to overachieve.
Decent utility player but unfortunately now 30 years old (turning 31 this offseason). Will make a decent 25th man / bench bat if he can get back to where he was but will never be more than a 275/320/410 guy at his best. Still a good line from a bench guy / 300 ab player.