The latest minor transactions from around the sport…
Latest Updates
- Earlier this week, the Rays signed right-hander Chris Ellis to a minor league deal, as originally reported by MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (Twitter link). Originally a third-round pick for the Angels in the 2014 draft, Ellis was part of the trade package that brought Andrelton Simmons to Los Angeles back in November 2015. The 28-year-old has a 4.80 ERA, 2.10 K/BB rate, and 8.5 K/9 over 645 1/3 career minor league innings for three different organizations (the Angels, Braves, and Cardinals), and he also had a cup of coffee in the big leagues with the Royals in 2019, appearing in one game.
Earlier Today
- The Nationals have signed right-hander Jefry Rodríguez to a minor-league contract with an invitation to MLB spring training, reports Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post (Twitter link). The 27-year-old originally signed with the Nats as an international amateur from the Dominican Republic. He was traded to Cleveland in the November 2018 Yan Gomes deal. Rodríguez posted a 5.20 ERA with underwhelming strikeout (16.5%) and walk (13.3%) rates in 98.2 MLB innings from 2018-19. He spent last season at the Indians’ alternate training site, where he strained his shoulder in September. Cleveland non-tendered him earlier this month.
- The Mariners announced they signed reliever Drew Steckenrider earlier this month (h/t to Chris Hilburn-Trenkle of Baseball America). The 29-year-old broke into the majors with a pair of productive seasons with the Marlins but went down early in 2019 with a season-ending flexor strain. He spent all of 2020 on the injured list and was outrighted off Miami’s 40-man roster in October. The right-hander turns 30 in January.
That Steck pickup could have some high upside to it.
Except “flexor strain” is what they say in press releases instead of “hasn’t yet come to terms with the fact they need Tommy John”
At least it’s a minor league deal. If he has TJ he’s not taking up roster space.
I could see steckenrider still being a useful reliever
Dumpster Dive comment #17,431.
Ya, but nobody reports the Angels signed Pitcher Boomer Biegaliski from the A’s organization.
They typically don’t report nobody transactions with no sort of prospect or mlb pedigree
Go Noles!!!!
lol for a second I thought you made up that name to be funny. Alas as soon as I look it up turns out Boomer Biegaliski is a real pitcher
Trade Idea: Yankees get Castillo for judge,stanton, and cole
Wow
Probably would start with Wells or Dominguez.
I’m assuming this is a joke… right? I hope anyway… otherwise you’ve been smoking a bit too much weed!!! hahaha
The Orioles are missing out on some good relievers so far this offseason. Just venting out loud
every team needs bullpen upgrades and Baltimore isnt exactly a hot destination. i dont know what you are reasonably expecting.
If Steckenrider is healthy that could be a sneaky good signing by the Mariners. Either as a part of their bullpen for the entire season, or if he can regain his 2017-2018 for early in 2021 he could wind up being a valuable trade deadline piece for clubs looking for bullpen help. The guy obviously has big time strikeout stuff, and if he shows hes healthy and effective In the early parts on 2021 — he could definitely position himself as a key deadline target.
When Jefry’s parents were naming him as a baby… do you think they just didn’t know how to spell Jeffrey… or was the name “Jefry” intentional? Hahaha — anyway I think this is a decent depth signing for the Nats… sure he’s struggled for the most part in the majors… but he has put up some solid numbers throughout the years in the minors and has the ability to start should the Nationals need an emergency spot start or just a long reliever type. He may wind up not being anything more than organizational depth… but I do think in a pinch he could be a solid enough spot starter or even a relatively effective swingman if he could just make a few adjustments and translate some of his AAA success to the majors.
Or they just liked it that way.. different culture
Not uncommon. Jeffrey Luhnow gave Astro fans his extra “f”.