Headlines

  • Latest On Tigers, Tarik Skubal
  • Phillies Expected To Trade Or Release Nick Castellanos
  • Nestor Cortes Undergoes Arm Surgery
  • Aaron Judge Will Not Require Elbow Surgery; Rodón, Volpe Expected To Start 2026 On IL
  • Anthony Volpe Undergoes Shoulder Surgery
  • Alex Bregman Will Opt Out Of Red Sox Contract
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Athletics
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2026-27 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2026
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Orioles Claim Travis Lakins, Designate Stevie Wilkerson

By Steve Adams | January 31, 2020 at 2:00pm CDT

The Orioles announced Friday that they’ve claimed righty Travis Lakins off waivers from the Cubs. Infielder/outfielder Stevie Wilkerson was designated for assignment in a corresponding roster move.

Lakins, 25, was designated for assignment by the Red Sox earlier this winter and subsequently traded to Chicago for cash. Although he’d consistently ranked in the No. 15-25 range of a thin Boston farm system, the Ohio State product has yet to put together a particularly strong showing in the Majors or in the upper minors. Lakins made his big league debut this past season, yielding a 3.86 ERA with a lackluster 18-to-10 K/BB ratio in 23 2/3 innings for Boston. His work in Triple-A has been rather similar, as he’s compiled a 3.82 ERA with 8.4 K/9, 4.1 BB/9 and slightly below-average grounder rates in parts of two seasons there. Lakins worked as a starter earlier in his career but has pitched primarily out of the bullpen the past couple of seasons.

Wilkerson, 28, is a career .219/.279/.365 hitter in 410 plate appearances — most of which came this past season in Baltimore. He’s spent time at all three outfield positions with the O’s in addition to second base and third base, although he’s most likely remembered by many for his absurd home run robbery against Jackie Bradley Jr. at Fenway Park this past season (video link). He also holds the distinction of being the first position player to earn a save, which he did when pitching the 16th inning of a marathon win over the Angels on July 25 of this past season.

The switch-hitting Wilkerson hasn’t spent much time in Triple-A but has had some success there, hitting .294/.340/.478 through 153 trips to the plate. Wilkerson has generally been a versatile defender with respectable batting average/on-base percentage marks but limited power in the minors; since being drafted out of Clemson in the eighth round back in 2014, he’s hit .268/.342/.371 in six minor league seasons.

Share Repost Send via email

Baltimore Orioles Chicago Cubs Transactions Steve Wilkerson Travis Lakins

Cubs, Corban Joseph Agree To Minor League Deal
Main
Rockies Sign Zac Rosscup
View Comments (22)
Post a Comment

22 Comments

  1. gorav114

    6 years ago

    Wilks is the backup center fielder and can move around the field pretty well but his bat is generally mediocre or poor. I guess they feel real confident in a rookie Austin Hayes playing center every day.

    Reply
    • Jbigz12

      6 years ago

      Mullins is definitely an option for backup CF. Valaika gives the O’s extra infield depth.

      Reply
    • schwender

      6 years ago

      They also have Mason Williams.

      1
      Reply
  2. birdsfan415

    6 years ago

    NOOOO NOT STEVIE

    3
    Reply
  3. Mr. Darrow

    6 years ago

    Dr. Poo Poo. Someone should sign this guy, he could probably catch too.

    1
    Reply
  4. Chief Two Hands

    6 years ago

    I have some good news and some bad news. Bad news first…the Orioles.

    Reply
    • joeflaccosunibrow

      6 years ago

      What’s the good news? Someone finally reading and responding to one of your comments?

      Reply
  5. 2012orioles

    6 years ago

    Best eephus in the game. And if you hadn’t seen his catch the last game of the year vs the Red Sox, check it out.

    3
    Reply
  6. Clayton Russell

    6 years ago

    Stevie is a hustler and a fan favorite in Baltimore, but it’s hard to argue they’ll miss his bat.

    1
    Reply
  7. Cornelius Fuzzyboots

    6 years ago

    But that boi can pitch.

    1
    Reply
  8. richmond20657

    6 years ago

    I’ll miss Stevie . Hopefully we can get lucky and Lakins figures it out.

    1
    Reply
  9. The Natural

    6 years ago

    Doesn’t seem like a sound financial move for the “cash strapped” Cub front office. Pay cash for the guy, then cut him?

    Reply
    • bobtillman

      6 years ago

      Theo was forced to take a part time consulting job in order to pay for the error. He’s consulting customers as to whether or not they want fries with that.

      2
      Reply
  10. Peart of the game

    6 years ago

    Maybe Baltimore will get rid of some more junk from their team.

    Reply
    • cygnus2112

      6 years ago

      Pratt?

      Reply
  11. bobtillman

    6 years ago

    Kind of surprises me about Wilkerson. Unlike 99% of these multi-positional guys, he actually played pretty good defense. And no, that doesn’t count the JBJ catch; the most surprised guy in the park that he caught it was himself. And the competition between Gary Thorne and Eckersely having the biggest aneurism.

    Almost the perfect 26th guy, complete with switch batting (I won’t say switch “hitting” since he doesn’t do much of that).
    That Lakins ranked in the mid-teens in the Sox system speaks nothing of Lakins and volumes about the Sox system.

    Reply
    • MoRivera 1999

      6 years ago

      Anyone who made the JBJ catch would have to be surprised.

      Reply
    • hammer_time24

      6 years ago

      It’s definitely surprising. He was probably the most versatile player on the entire roster. Didn’t do anything particularly well, but could fill in just about anywhere on the diamond.

      Reply
  12. Royalsfan12

    6 years ago

    Royals better pick him up. I see some potential in this guy. Sure his bat sucks but he’s already a solid fielder and is almost as versatile as Whit Merrifield.

    1
    Reply
    • cygnus2112

      6 years ago

      I’m not disagreeing with your take but if the Royals go after someone multidimensional, Brock Holt would be mucho desirable.

      Reply
      • pasha2k

        6 years ago

        Nooooooooo, the Brockstar HAS to stay in Boston!!!!

        Reply
  13. Orioles Fan

    6 years ago

    Larkins is a good pickup. He might be a starter or a middle reliever. Wilkerson I am hoping clears waivers and stay with the club.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Latest On Tigers, Tarik Skubal

    Phillies Expected To Trade Or Release Nick Castellanos

    Nestor Cortes Undergoes Arm Surgery

    Aaron Judge Will Not Require Elbow Surgery; Rodón, Volpe Expected To Start 2026 On IL

    Anthony Volpe Undergoes Shoulder Surgery

    Alex Bregman Will Opt Out Of Red Sox Contract

    Mike Shildt Steps Down As Padres Manager

    Tigers Extended Manager A.J. Hinch Earlier This Season

    Munetaka Murakami To Be Posted This Offseason

    Cody Bellinger To Opt Out Of Contract With Yankees

    Angels, Albert Pujols Discussing Managerial Deal

    Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2026

    Rangers Hire Skip Schumaker As Manager

    Albert Pujols To Interview For Angels’ Managerial Vacancy, May Be “Leading Choice”

    Bill Schmidt Will Not Return As Rockies’ GM

    Brian Snitker Will Not Return As Braves’ Manager In 2026

    Angels To Have New Manager In 2026

    Rays Sale To Patrick Zalupski’s Group Officially Completed

    Guardians Promote Chase DeLauter For Wild Card Series

    Bruce Bochy Will Not Return As Rangers Manager Amid Financial Uncertainty

    Recent

    The Opener: NLCS, ALCS, Injuries

    Latest On Tigers, Tarik Skubal

    Phillies Expected To Trade Or Release Nick Castellanos

    Nestor Cortes Undergoes Arm Surgery

    Angels Planning To Interview Torii Hunter, Kurt Suzuki For Manager

    Offseason Outlook: Arizona Diamondbacks

    Joey Loperfido Replaces Anthony Santander On Blue Jays’ Playoff Roster

    Poll: Will Anthony Volpe Be The Yankees’ Shortstop In 2026?

    Coaching Notes: Varitek, Ramirez, Molina

    Rays Re-Sign Kodi Whitley To Minor League Deal

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Every MLB Trade In July
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Tim Dierkes' MLB Mailbag
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2026-27 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2026
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version