The A’s announced that they have designated infielder Sheldon Neuse for assignment in order to open a roster spot for infielder Ernie Clement, who was claimed off waivers from the Guardians yesterday. The move drops Oakland’s 40-man roster count to 39.
Neuse, 27, began this year in DFA limbo, as the Dodgers cut him loose on December 1, just as the lockout was about to begin. Shortly after the lockout ended in March, he was claimed off waivers by the A’s and has been oscillated between Oakland and Triple-A Las Vegas this year. He’s fared extremely well in Vegas with a .398/.407/.611 line across 25 games, but hasn’t been able to replicate that at the big league level. In 89 games for the A’s this year, he’s hit .214/.273/.288 for a wRC+ of 67.
This has generally been the story of Neuse in recent years as both 2019 and 2021 also saw him post above-average marks in Triple-A but substandard results when in the show. In 147 career MLB games, he’s hit .212/.262/.296 while striking out in 29.8% of his plate appearances. Since the trade deadline has passed, the A’s will have no choice but to put Neuse on outright waivers or release waivers in the coming days.
Another team might be tempted to put in a claim based on Neuse’s continued success at Triple-A. He is in his last option year and wouldn’t need an active roster spot for now, though he will be out of options next year. He also brings defensive versatility to the table, having appeared at all four infield positions this year, as well as spending some time in the outfield corners last year. If he finds a new home and clicks in a new jersey, he can be retained well into the future given that he just crossed one year of MLB service time here in 2022.
Sheldon just wasn’t hitting. Hopefully, he goes unclaimed and stays with the A’s. I don’t think the lineup is defined for next season. Plenty of opportunities.
Neuse down, Machin, Bolt and Bride to go. All are 100% AAAA players. No thanks.
Machin’s average climbs every month. Nearly .300 in August.
He started the year out so well too. He was a big part of those first 3 weeks when we weren’t terrible yet.
What?
One of those players looking like a AAAA player. Can hit in the minors but never in the majors. His next stop will probably be over seas and maybe then he can put it together with a good hitting coach.
I don’t get this move. Neuse is a better long-term option at 3B than weak hitting Vimael Machin or Jonah Bride. Check out those 2’s slugging percentage.
Machin and Bride are Singles hitters platooning at 3rd Base. But we need to play a Power Hitter at 3rd Base, especially with similar weak-hitting Nick Allen at 3rd Base.
Are those 2 really going to be our 3rd Baseman next year?
Don’t forget Kevin Smith is in that mix too. The A’s could also hope Logan Davidson can make the jump from AA to MLB in spring training. Don’t rule out the possibility of a Maikel Franco type signing to at least hold the position down til someone shows something in the minors
machin looks more like a platoon utility player for the A’s. He has hit OK the second half. Bride i am not sure of his future. Bride has hit in the minors so I see him a betweener until he can prove to hit up in the majors. Diaz is more likely to be the third baseman next year. Gelof is their future 3B but probably not up until mid year so right now they are just plugging holes with what they have.
Can everyone stop talking about Machin? He’s 29 next year, he’s nothing, he won’t be back, he has zero power (1 HR in 105 games), we need power, he’s not elite defensively, we need elite defense.
Zack Gelof is 100x the player Machin is, bring Gelof up right now.
lmao do you really think only players that are on the roster in September 2022 are the only options for 2023 opening day? Are you ok?
@GangGreen23 – Bride, Machin and Nuese are all the same guy and none of them will be on the team this year.
Nick Allen is a better hitter with more power than all of them combined, who is Ozzie Smith level defensively. Nick Allen has a great physical comp to copy in Altuve, all Allen has to do is copy Altuve’s mechanics and he’s a great hitter.
IMO Zack Gelof will be the A’s opening day 3B if they don’t bring in Miguel Andujar, Maikel Franco, Hanser Alberto, Matt Duffy, Josh Harrison or Jace Peterson, or maybe even a bigger name who needs to vacate for a big prospect.
Nooice!!!
The A’s are goin’ for it! When are they moving to Vegas? Will they’re die hards still follow them? Hope so.
The Philly diehards or the Kansas City ones?
Vegas doesn’t have the money. The real estate market is now slumping big time in Vegas. Vegas will have a NBA team before a MLB team.
Literally never, as Vegas isnt a real pro sports city. Raiders wont last there. A’s staying in Oakland no matter what.
if you’re reading this Neuse (and I know that you are) I told you vengeance would be mine. Enjoy your DFA.
lmao i love the delusion from this poster
He went through a hot streak in the first half where he looked like he was going to be a .300 hitter but clearly didn’t sustain that.
He definitely needs to take a shot at NPB, unfortunately seems like a quad-a player here.
Definitely will be an all-star in Korea
Pick up Miguel Andujar!
Sure, but they will still need a Third baseman.
Neuse has been silenced !
I’m utterly speechless.
Pretty much the A’s best player