The Angels announced Thursday that they’ve claimed lefty Adalberto Mejia off waivers from the Cardinals. It’s the second time this season that the Halos have claimed Mejia, whom they lost to the Cardinals on waivers in late July after designating him for assignment themselves. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Halos requested unconditional release waivers on catcher Jose Briceno.
A former top 100 prospect who profiled as a fourth starter, Mejia never established himself with the Twins and has now bounced from Minnesota to Anaheim to St. Louis and back to Anaheim this season. He’s posted a 7.54 ERA in 22 2/3 innings, though he’s only a season removed from solid numbers as a starter with Minnesota’s Triple-A affiliate a season ago. Mejia is out of minor league options, so the Angels will have to keep him on the big league roster or else expose him to waivers for what would be the fourth time this season.
Mejia was designated by the Angels at the conclusion of a 16-inning marathon game that depleted their ’pen, and the club was perhaps reluctant to make that move. They’ll now get a second look at the big lefty as they evaluate whether he can be a potential piece of the pitching staff moving forward — be it in the ’pen or in the rotation. He has experience in both arenas.
As for Briceno, the 26-year-old has spent the season in Triple-A Salt Lake, where he’s managed a tepid .215/.262/.405 slash in 84 plate appearances. He’s shown a bit of pop in limited Triple-A action over the past couple seasons but has a sub-.300 OBP at every level above Class-A ball in his career.
interesting!
Mejia doing a good Oliver Drake impersonation this year.
true
deja vu, i have been with this team before
Good. Should have kept him over Cahill. At least Mejia has a chance to contribute in the future, Cahill does not. Even a 1% chance is better than a 0% chance.
Nice! Looks like another solid year Halos. Nothing like being under .500 and 20 games out year after year after year and it just goes on…. Solid!
Then go follow another team if it gets under your skin. Or do you like being a Whiney Biotch year after year?
Been an Angels fan for 30 years and i feel your pain, especially how they’ve wasted Mike Trout’s talents so far by not having any decent pitching for years.
They need to go back and watch their 2002 World Series season when they had solid pitching.
And let’s not forget, that above 5 ERA is very attractive to the Angels. Pretty sure that’s what they build that starting rotation around. If I am wrong you wouldn’t know it by looking at the stats.
There’s certainly opportunity on the Halos
Angels really need two solid starters next year to pick up. But if history is any indication of future signings I’m sure they will give Felix Hernandez and Adam Wainwright two year deals in the realm of $25M. Two ex-aces they hope will return to form.
Welcome back Mejia! It feels like we have done this before. Let’s hope things go well and he can have a wide open chance to pitch. Lord knows my Halos can use a bright spot in general. Especially for pitching….and I am thinking HaloShane should really change to “AntiHaloShane.” Or just put a team name he does “like.” Either way….go Halos!
looks like the talent pool in MLB is awfully low. perhaps if MLB went back to eight AL teams and 8 NL teams like it was pre-1961 …
That is the bright thing to do ………. But, the all mighty dollar will over ride good sense in this case. Therefore, it will remain at 10 teams a league.
Might be a dumb question but aren’t there 15 teams per league?
classic and silly gripe. MLB talent level is relative, and does not hinge on the opinions of fans, or you specifically.
I’m willing to bet your team is not a expansion team for you to make a statement like that.
You mean the Cardinals have already given up on John Mozeliak’s secret weapon trading deadline acquisition??? Wow!!!