The Braves are signing right-hander Tanner Roark to a minor-league contract, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com (Twitter link). The veteran righty was recently cut loose by the Blue Jays.
After an extended run as a generally productive starter with the Nationals, Athletics and Reds, Roark signed a two-year, $24MM deal with Toronto during the 2019-20 offseason. That proved to be a poor investment for the Jays, with whom Roark tossed 47 2/3 innings of 6.80 ERA/5.36 SIERA ball in 2020. In the process, Roark’s already-middling strikeout rate fell more than three percentage points to 18.6%, while his typically strong walk rate spiked to a lofty 10.5%.
On the heels of that dismal season, the Jays didn’t give Roark much of a leash in this season’s early going. They designated him for assignment after just three uninspiring appearances in 2021. Roark coughed up seven runs in as many innings (five earned), while serving up three homers and striking out just five. His 6.9% swinging strike rate over that small sample has been the worst mark of his career, so the Toronto front office clearly didn’t envision a future turnaround.
Despite the surprise emergence of Huascar Ynoa, Atlanta’s rotation has posted some unspectacular numbers as a whole. Charlie Morton and Drew Smyly (both signed to free agent deals last winter) have gotten off to slow starts and Max Fried has spent some time on the injured list. Bryse Wilson, Kyle Wright, and Sean Newcomb are the club’s top depth option, though Roark has far more experience than any of those younger hurlers. While Roark might need some time at Triple-A to get himself back on track, he does represent at least an innings-eating possibility for the back end of the Braves’ pitching staff.
Dumpster Divin’ Anthopolous!
“Minor league deal”
@dustyslambchops
It’s a joke. There isn’t such a thing as a bad minor league deal
Bet he puts used tires on his Mercedes.
Gotta say – that’s funny
world series bound
about dam time.
With all the back loaded money the Nationals owe coming up due, they’re going to go through their own little drought. Enjoy the next several years of last place finishes.
McConaughy calling Sandy Bullock’s Roark in A TIME TO KILL — “Row-arc” was great. Do that.
Yes, this quality comment is what all you premium subscribers pay for.
I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. But, hey, ya take the good with the bad.
So.
Anyway: someone was going to take a chance on Roark. He’s had some modest success in the league. Maybe they can get him back on track. Certainly worth a league min gamble.
Shocking how fast his career has fallen, but the warning signs began a few years ago after his trade to the A’s. His ERA with the A’s stayed relatively the same but there was a noticeable difference with his FIP. In 44 IN’s 4.58 ERA 5.63 FIP. That’s a difference of 1.03, that’s not good. Jays took a chance but he got rocked by the opposition. His HR’s per 9 went up from 1.1 with Reds, to 2.3 and 2.6 with A’s and Jays. Hits per 9 went up from 9.7 to 11.3. BB’s per 9 went up from 2.1 to 4.3. Maybe it was the long break, change of leagues. Going to a better offensive division. Who knows? hope for the best for him. Was very underrated in his good years,
He’ll be released by them in no time. This guy is done. A 12 year old could take him deep at this point.
Uh hello? Ian Anderson? I think his last three starts were all quality starts? Maybe not against philly, but he’s produced….
Ian is pitching very well and Fried had a good start after coming off the injured list. The surprising Ynoa is pitching like the ace of this staff right now.
Yea, Morton and Smyly are suspect. I’d be surprised if Roark is an upgrade over those 2 however. I would not be surprised if Wilson or Wright is an upgrade over Morton or Smyly.
On a side note, anybody else hearing the buzz about Roddery Munoz?
no, who?
Munoz is a pitcher in low A Augusta (new minor league team). He made his first appearance on the mound yesterday and dominated. Munoz had never pitched above the Dominican league so nobody knows anything about him.
He was throwing a good 99mph FB and I saw some wicked sliders and changups. The buzz is that this guy will zoom to the top 10 of Braves prospects.
He is a big tall kid, not as bulky as Ynoa but has that kind of stuff. We need to see more from this kid but the stuff he displayed yesterday has the press buzzing
I plan on going to a lot of Augusta games. My house is within walking distance of the stadium. I’ll have to check this kid out.
Interesting, Roddery Munoz — kid doesn’t even have a pic up on the website. Who is this masked man?
Roddery is 21, which is old for a Latin American in A ball. Might be late bloomer though.
Lucky you! I live in the Nashville area and have been hoping that Braves would move their AAA club to Nashville. This city has had a revolving minor league franchise from different teams, but this is Braves country, a growing city and a good fit for a AAA Braves club. I’d like to be watching the AAA club.
Ain’t going to happen but hey I can wish.
I wouldn’t call 21 late but it’s not early for A ball. This is his first year out of the Dominican league, so I don’t know why the hang up there.
In any event, he looks like a fast riser in the minors, so don’t expect him to stick at Augusta long if he continues like this.
I’ve never heard of him. I need to start paying attention to these lower minors Braves guys. Especially now that the Braves’ Low A is here.
I don’t know if website links stick here, so google this article from Talking Chop
Roddery Munoz: Braves Pitching Prospect First Impressions
My grandparents lived in Greenville, SC back when the Braves’ AA was there. I saw Glavine, Avery, Justice, Chipper, and Andruw before they made the majors. Cool stuff. in the late 90s the County refused to build a new stadium. Braves left and 2 years later they decided to build one. Now the lousy Red Sox low A team is there. Blech.
Walking is for suckers. I skip around town like a schoolgirl.
Nashville has a new AAA ball park downtown. I had to google to see which team they currently represent. Check this revolving door out.
Team Milwaukee Brewers (2021–present)
Previous teams
Texas Rangers (2019–2020)
Oakland Athletics (2015–2018)
Milwaukee Brewers (2005–2014)
Pittsburgh Pirates (1998–2004)
Maybe Wright/ Wilson over Smyly…. maybe lol I fully expect this Braves rotation to trend uphill at some point, if not already moving in that direction. With Ynoa and Anderson already pitching good ball, Fried looking promising, and Morton being himself (he can right the ship). AND Soroka will be back as well.
All that being said, I see zero room in Rotation for Roark. If anything, he’ll be a back up long relief bull pen option.
I’d like to see Mathis catch Wilson/Wright a few times. We’ve seen both pitch some very good games just last year. I’d hate to think that their inability to stick on the big club could have been remedied by the right backstop. I don’t know much about Mathis but what I’ve heard and the little I’ve seen, he is probably the best backstop on the team with ability to handle pitchers.
The guessing game is that Wilson or Wright will get the next start (Tues). I’m hoping Mathis is behind the plate. Btw, Wilson had a terrific first start for Gwinnett a few days ago. Wright was just ok in his first Gwinnett start.
Tomlin has been the only long RP so when the poo hits the fan (Morton, Smyly recently not getting through 2 IP…), you’ve got someone to pick-up garbage 4-5 IP who will look like a stud by not taxing the ‘pen and making us vulnerable the next few games.
Frankly, the bar isn’t low for his ability to do that, though getting out of Dunedin/Buffalo as a home park will somewhat help.
*insert hopeful comment about how could be a lighting in a bottle pickup*
Braves have an even bigger need in their bullpen, with a dearth of reliable RH relievers. Tanner Rourk might be useful later on his season. Gotta give Anthopoulos props for continuing to build depth, it’s forward thinking.
Tanner “batting practice” Roark he was awful for the Jays.
Josh Tomlin’s got competition then.
Jeez a even more expensive tomlin
? I believe the Jay’s are picking up most of the cost ?
Nothing to lose here
For what role BP or the rotation? He got 2/ 24 and the Blue Jays are eating the balance. Sounds like they had a reason too. SMH.
Tomlin takes the ball and saves the already taxed BP. At least the guy throws strikes and doesn’t walk every other batter. He is a Mop Up/ “Swiss Army” type pitcher. He can even spot start on the fly. No issues with the dude.
I wasn’t a Tomlin fan but I have to say that he has pleasantly surprised me this year. If Roark makes it in the pen, I don’t expect him to replace Tomlin. Jacob Webb is more likely to be replaced, and I like Webb. I think Webb will be a good RH middle reliever for somebody, hopefully Braves.
The Jays commentators and coaches all came to the conclusion that he’s lost his MLB stuff.
The Jays stayed with him and gave him every opportunity.
He’ll be DFA’d by the Braves in a few weeks.
One of the Jays worst FA signings
I don’t really see the need and I hope to god he never pitches for us in the pros. Cause that would mean our rotation is in horrible shape.
Roark gained lots of weight since he was signed by the Jays. If he has any hope of sticking in the bigs, he is going to have to lose it or change it into muscle. Otherwise his stuff is AAA.
His claim to fame besides some early success is being in the “Tanner R for Tanner R” trade. So far, Rainey has looked to be the better value.