Catcher Austin Allen has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas, the Athletics announced. He will remain with the organization but will no longer occupy a spot on the 40-man roster.
Allen originally had his contract selected for the first time when he was a Padre, before the 2019 season. He saw limited big league action that year and then was traded to Oakland as part of the Jurickson Profar deal. He’s appeared in the majors in four seasons now, but only has 57 games on his ledger, hitting .195/.252/.288 in that time.
Having exhausted his option years, Allen could no longer be sent to the minors without clearing waivers first. It seemed possible that a team in need of some help behind the plate could have taken a shot on him, given his .323/.365/.623 line in Triple-A for his career. Instead, he will have to return to that level and try to earn his way back into a roster spot, as he didn’t have the requisite service time to reject an outright assignment.
For the A’s, their catching corps now consists of Sean Murphy and Christian Bethancourt at the big league level. Should either of those two get hurt, Allen will be available as depth. Stephen Vogt is also on the injured list and could re-enter the mix at some point. A’s fans will also be looking forward to the eventual promotion of prospect Shea Langeliers. Acquired in the Matt Olson trade, Langeliers is off to a booming start with his new organization. In 22 Triple-A games this year, he’s hit 10 home runs and is slashing .325/.432/.738 overall, producing a 187 wRC+.
As a Braves fan, I don’t understand keeping Bethancourt over him.
Bethancourt isn’t great defensively as a catcher (probably why he’s only caught 13 innings so far and has been mostly DH and occasionally 1b) and he has never been able to hit MLB pitching.
I refuse to believe that there aren’t better 1b/DH available for league minimum that are head and shoulders above Bethancourt.
I agree completely. I didn’t even know he was on a minor league roster, let alone a major league roster.
Allen isn’t an all star but he could be a valuable back up catcher if given a chance. Only 57 MLB games in 4 years.
We know what Bethancourt is and isn’t. Let Allen show what he could do
Agreed. Im surprised Bethancourt is pushing 31. The guy has been a catcher then spent the last few years “transitioning” to pitcher.
It’s seems that experiment is done, which is understandable. But, in what world does anyone watch Bethancourt at the plate and say “this guy can stick with just his bat”? It’s mind boggling if you just look at this dudes career arc. It kind of makes me feel for him because he did everything teams asked of him in order to make it, and they pull this.
Yeah, but this is comparing different types of manure. We’re really talking about -0.2 WAR vs. -0.1 WAR and like 250 ABs a year.
I think the bigger question would be Allan/Bethancourt vs. Langeliers. And my guess is because Langeleiers won’t get enough ABs backing up Murphy.
Whoever wrote the headline — nice alliteration.
Can not believe no teams did not make a claim on Allen. I was really hoping the Orioles would because Allen is definitely an upgrade over Beemboom.
It’s shocking why teams wouldn’t make a claim on a bat first 28 year old catcher with a .195 batting average?
Because those minor league numbers are legit and has only been given 115+ABS over three seasons. Could be a mitch Garver type
I agree O’s fan. Seems the Orioles dropped the ball on this one. Seems a younger Allen would have more upside than Bemboom already in his 30’s. Unbelievable he went unclaimed. Especially with several clubs in rebuilding (or some in constant aka cheap rebuilding)phases.
We had to put him on the COVID restricted list when playing the Blue Jays, so I’m assuming he’s unvaccinated and would have to miss a larger chunk of your in division games.
The A’s should cash in on Murphy by trading him.
Promote Langeliers. and make him the A’s starter at catcher.
He is aleady better than the other A’s MLB catchers.
Sean Murphy has a 110 OPS+ and has been an average or better hitter since his debut. No need to rush Langeliers with Murph.
Murphy;s BA is in the low 200’s.
His best value to the A’s is in a trade with the shortage of highly rated
defensive catchers with some pop in their bats.
Langeliers could help slug the A’s back into the Wild Card race.
The A’s are always in the hunt even after trading star, veteran players.
*SACRAMENTO SQUIRRELS