Here are the latest minor moves from around the game …
- Outfielder Aaron Altherr was outrighted recently by the Mets after he was designated for assignment, per the International League transactions page. Altherr has the requisite service time to reject the assignment in favor of free agency, but doing so would mean forfeiting the remainder of this season’s $1.35MM salary. It’s been a brutal season for Altherr, who has gone just 5-for-61 with five walks through 66 plate appearances between the Phillies, Giants and Mets. As a player with three-plus years of service who’s been removed from the 40-man roster, Altherr will have the right to become a free agent and explore the open market this winter.
- The Blue Jays have released swingman Nick Kingham after he cleared waivers following his own DFA, also per the International League transactions page. Kingham was on the injured list when he was designated for assignment, and injured players cannot be placed on outright waivers. With August trades eliminated, the only possible outcome for Kingham was to be released by the Jays. The former top prospect has tallied 55 2/3 frames between Pittsburgh and Toronto this season but been clobbered for a 7.28 ERA with a 46-to-25 K/BB ratio and 11 home runs allowed in that time.
- Southpaw Adam McCreery was released recently by the Angels, per Baseball America’s most recent transactions report. He had originally been outrighted after being designated for assignment. McCreery is a 26-year-old reliever who has a single MLB appearance under his belt. This year, he owns a 3.63 ERA in 44 2/3 Triple-A innings, with 50 strikeouts against 28 walks. He’s averaged 11.3 K/9 throughout parts of six minor league seasons but has never been able to limit free passes at a sufficient rate.
- Also per Baseball America, the Royals have signed lefty Jake Brentz after he was released by the Pirates. Brentz, 24, is a former 11th-round pick who had spent the past several seasons in the Pittsburgh organization. Bentz has a history of swings and misses along with struggles with free passes. In 50 1/3 total innings in the upper minors this year, including three with his new team, he owns a 4.47 ERA with 9.8 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9.
Kingham has more upside and has performed better than like three guys in the current big league pen. He deserved more of a shot.
It might seem that way, but he has a 5.49 FIP as opposed to a 3.00 ERA, so it looks like he didn’t actually pitch nearly as well as his ERA would suggest.
I don’t have too much faith in him and agree it was probably smoke and mirrors. But Buddy Boshers? Neil Ramirez? Nah. Give me a lotto ticket with upside. The only thing they are providing is an easy DFA when rosters need to be cleaned up.
At least McCreery got that health insurance for life. Altherr wouldnt even cut it on an indie team
Does Altherr realize his $1.3 million salary was stolen from whomever is paying him. He better not refuse assignment & take his salary & invest it wisely for his future out of baseball.
Altherr is a hit or miss guy who has had either very good or very bad hitting years.Maybe next year will be a good one.
If he gets a chance though he needs to play and hit or he may not have any more chances to come.
Amazingly, it seems like the Mets are paying it since they took him on waivers (as had the Giants before that). Hard to believe he was given that contract after batting .181 last year.
The Brentz signing isn’t really new, it was reported on this site already back on the 20th.