The Phillies announced Friday that they’ve designated right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton for assignment. His spot on the 40-man roster will go to catcher J.T. Realmuto, whose record-setting five-year deal with the Phils has now been formally announced.
Hamilton, 25, was a waiver claim out of the White Sox organization who’d been expected to compete for a bullpen job in Spring Training. He could still do so, but in order for that to happen he’d need to go unclaimed on waivers and come to camp as a non-roster invitee.
An eleventh-round pick back in 2016, Hamilton has appeared briefly in the Majors with the South Siders in two of the past three seasons, allowing a combined six runs on ten thits and seven walks with nine strikeouts in a dozen innings. He’s averaged 95.7 mph on a four-seamer that he complements with a slider and a very seldom-used changeup.
Hamilton had a particularly strong showing between Double-A and Triple-A in 2018, and throughout his minor league career as a whole, he’s posted better-than-average strikeout and walk rates (26.3 percent and 7.1 percent, respectively). He still has a minor league option remaining, so it’s feasible that a bullpen-needy team could take a low-risk flier now that the Phils have bumped him from the roster. He’ll have a week to be traded, placed on waivers or released.
Do they have to clear another roster spot for Moore or are they at 40 with his addition?
They will. As we post, the Phillies have yet to officially announce the signing of Matt Moore.
Surprised they DFA’D Hamilton! He’s still young and has potential. There are other people on the 40 man roster that should have been cut before him.
He was picked up before Dombrowski.Could just be trying to get him through waivers to send him to Lehigh,but there’s no real connection between him and the team.Im more surprised he’s going after Arano.
Cubs should claim him and then he and Ryan Burr on the White Sox can open/start a game against one another.
EEN!!!
It probably won’t happen, but I wouldn’t mind the Sox giving Hamilton another chance. But if he’s already on waivers again, you have to wonder why a 25 yo can’t stay on Philly’s 40-man roster (could be much like Carson Fulmer playing for 2 other teams in ’19 after the Sox parted ways, and you haven’t heard a peep since.
*Sloppy editing on my part. Just ignore everything after the first sentence. Or you can also ignore the first sentence, I don’t care.
Like the Phillies, the White Sox also have a full 40-man roster as we post. They can’t claim Ian Hamilton without a corresponding roster move.
The White Sox DFA’d Hamilton back on September 18th in order to clear a roster spot for Garrett Crochet. This article insinuates that Hamilton was claimed by the Phillies from the White Sox organization but he was actually picked up off of waivers by the Mariners on September 25th. Philadelphia subsequently claimed Hamilton off of waivers from Seattle on December 7th.
@Aaron Sapoznik
That’s what I thought, the M’s were the ones that snagged him on waivers, but with all the moves the Sox have made over the last year or two, I easily could’ve been wrong. And I hadn’t got around to checking it. Thanks for the correction.
That’s why I figured it probably won’t happen. But if they actually were interested in bringing him back, I’m sure it wouldn’t take much to boot one of the fringe players off the 40-man to make room for him. Though, looking at the 40-man, it would probably have to be someone like Ruiz or Flores or Vargas, so why bother?
The most recent ‘rumors’ suggest that the White Sox might be done spending this offseason. This doesn’t bode well for any more free agent acquisitions but might allow for another addition via a trade which would also potentially free up some roster space going forward.
The previously rumored availability of Red Sox OF Andrew Benintendi might be an example. Benintendi would be a potential fit for the White Sox as a left-handed contact bat with enough defensive versatility to allow LF Eloy Jimenez more reps at DH. Boston still has plans on being competitive in 2021 and won’t trade Benintendi for mere prospects. They would likely want young MLB or near MLB ready talent for him. The White Sox can theoretically offer Chaim Bloom two or three players currently on their 40-man roster who would also serve as upgrades for the Red Sox active roster in 2021. They might include a SP like Reynaldo Lopez, a RP like Matt Foster a CF like Adam Engel and/or a versatile INF/OF like Leury Garcia. This scenario could give the White Sox a better lineup while also freeing up another roster spot or two for a low cost addition like Ian Hamilton or some other cheap FA, perhaps even a return of Carlos Rodon to compete for a backend rotation spot in lieu of Lopez.
Clearly, White Sox fans are hoping the latest twitter rumors regarding the team being ‘tapped out’ are false and that they will still add a more significant FA or three this offseason to bolster their rotation, the DH role or even a veteran backup catcher. If they are true then a trade like the one I proposed might also work to the team’s benefit in 2021.
@Aaron Sapoznik
I’m fine with the Sox heading to ST as is. I’m sure I am in the minority, but I’m content with the talent currently on the team. Sure, there’s question marks (especially Cease, Kopech, Lopez, Collins), but they’re pretty loaded offensively, and they have a strong top 3 in their rotation and their bullpen looks very strong now.
If anything, maybe get another SP on a one-year deal. But I wouldn’t even do that. I don’t think Kopech will need much time in MiLB and he can take the 5th spot and put Lopez in the pen (Cease is obviously the 4th). I’d put Collins and Mercedes at DH until Vaughn is ready, which could be sooner than later.
Actually, any spending the rest of the Winter should be for extensions (at least that’s how I’d do it). Giolito the main target, sign him to a reasonable deal before his price gets out of control. If they don’t do it this Winter, they probably won’t next Winter with the work stoppage. I’d like Madrigal to get extended very cheaply, perhaps the same for Vaughn (they seem very high on Vaughn, which is why I think sooner than later for his arrival).
Not saying I’m right, but if I’m Hahn, that’s how I would do it. Though I’d be fine with your idea of the Benintendi trade.
Again, I’m fine with Hahn wrapping it up for Winter and heading to AZ to play some ST ball.
A team can’t say it is seriously competing for a WS title with Reynaldo Lopez leading that charge every 5th day. For the love of Pete, do I really need to explain further?
83sox94win05
I cannot imagine a White Sox team with 2021 World Series aspirations being content with the rotation depth of Dylan Cease, Reynaldo Lopez and Michael Kopech behind their top-3 of Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel and Lance Lynn come opening day. I also can’t envision a scenario where Kopech would make the opening day rotation short of an injury to one of the other 5 pitchers. This is precisely why the front office should and will add another veteran arm to the mix in the coming days or weeks.
The 2021 season will not be normal in any sense of the word. MLB is coming off of an abbreviated 60-game schedule, one in which there was no minor league season. Monitoring the use of virtually every starting pitcher will be a major concern for every club, especially those who are younger and deemed MLB ready. Rotation depth will be a necessity, not a luxury in 2021. A high ceiling young pitcher like Kopech will especially need monitoring, one who opted-out of the 2020 season and hasn’t pitched an official inning since September of 2018 due to TJ surgery.
The White Sox may not go big in adding another veteran arm to the mix but rest assured they will at minimum add one on a minor league contract with an invite to spring training. With high ambitions for the upcoming season, it behooves the front office to go higher and at least consider one of the boatload of veteran arms left on the free agent market who are in the last half or twilight of their careers and will most likely settle for one year incentive laden contracts with a chance to earn a World Series ring before they retire. This group would include accomplished SP’s such as James Paxton, Rick Porcello, Cole Hamels and Chris Archer. The next tier of FA’s would consist of ‘younger’ arms seeking 2-3 year deals like Jake Odorizzi and Taijuan Walker. At the top of the mountain is Trevor Bauer who just might settle for a higher AAV and shorter term contract as well. Every one of these pitchers should be strongly considered options for the White Sox this offseason and none, including Bauer, would put the White Sox anywhere near the luxury tax threshold in 2021. It’s a small price to pay for a better chance at winning a championship this year and perhaps beyond.
@Whifff
First, we’re talking about a 5th starter, not an ace. Lopez wouldn’t be the worst 5th starter in the history of the game.
Second, he would be the 5th starter until Kopech is ready, which most likely would be 3 or 4 starts. I think the Sox can overcome 3 or 4 starts by Lopez. And who knows, the Sox might actually win some of those starts. It might even be possible he pitches well in some of those starts, as unbelievable as that might sound.
Of course, this may be moot with the addition of Rodon, I don’t know. I don’t know their plans for both Lopez and Rodon. I’m sure they will audition both for the temporary 5th spot until Kopech is ready.
@Aaron Sapoznik
First, it looks like you got your wish (maybe), though I’m sure it’s not the one you envisioned in Carlos Rodon. I have no idea if he or Lopez gets the gig in the 5th spot. I guess we find out after ST.
Actually, I can imagine the Sox being content with them in the 4th and 5th spot (not so much Lopez or Rodon). I expect Cease to improve. He won’t be an All-Star, but he should improve enough to at least be a legit #4 behind a strong 1-2-3. He’s in basically the same spot Giolito was in after ’18. Granted, I’m not expecting that kind of spike from Cease, but especially under Katz tutelage, I can see Cease thrive this year.
I agree, Kopech won’t immediately be up, but I can easily see him up after 3 or 4 starts in MiLB. I think they can weather 3 or 4 starts from the winner of the Lopez/Rodon battle for the temporary 5th spot. And who knows, maybe one of those two pitches well enough in those starts for the Sox to win those games. They don’t have to pitch shutout ball, they need to do just enough to keep the Sox in the game–which is what you should hope for from a #5.
Kopech would be the ideal #5 this year. If he falters as the #5, no big deal. But if he thrives, he’s going to probably be better than any of the SP’s you listed above. Ditto for Cease if he thrives in the #4. Sure, big ifs, but personally I’d be willing to take my chances on those two.
I admit I have no problem if the Sox went after one of those arms you mentioned on a 1-year deal (Cease would be an nice #5). But I’m fine as the team currently sits. And based on the Rodon signing, I see them now being content with what they have.
If by June 1 (assuming no injuries) the rotation is Giolito, Keuchel, Lynn, Cease, and Kopech, I can comfortably live with that rotation, especially with that lineup and bullpen.
Again, I’m not saying I’m right. You could easily be right. I’m just giving my 2 cents and reiterating that I have no problem with the Sox going into ST as is. I know I’m in the minority here, and I am fine with that.
Looks like Hamilton got Burr-ned again. They must think he is shot.
over Quezada and Irvin? really?
Hope the White Sox claim him again. Should have never been out in a position to get claimed off waivers in the first place.
Bring him home Jerry, part 2.
I agree, I don’t know why teams aren’t giving him a chance he’s only pitched like 9 innings or so in the majors, he’s got good stuff. He should DFA Robert Dugger and claim Ian Hamilton again, lots of potential, give the man a chance in that shaky bullpen
I agree, I don’t know why teams aren’t giving him a chance he’s only pitched like 9 innings or so in the majors, he’s got good stuff. He should DFA Robert Dugger and claim Ian Hamilton again, lots of potential, give the man a chance in that shaky bullpen