The Orioles announced they’ve claimed reliever Jake Reed off waivers from the Dodgers. In a corresponding move, Baltimore placed infielder Jonathan Araúz on the restricted list. The O’s also announced that righty Phoenix Sanders, whom they’d designated for assignment over the weekend, has gone unclaimed on waivers and been sent outright to Triple-A Norfolk.
Reed has been a frequent name on the waiver wire over the past two seasons. A minor league signee of the Dodgers, the right-hander first reached the big leagues in July 2021. He’s subsequently gone from L.A. to the Rays, the Mets and then back to the Dodgers on waivers. His second stint with the Dodgers lasted less than two months, as he was claimed in mid-July but designated for assignment last Friday when the club reinstated Blake Treinen from the injured list. The O’s become the latest team to take a shot on Reed, who’d also spent time in the Twins and Angels organizations before getting to the majors.
Despite drawing frequent interest from clubs, the University of Oregon product doesn’t have a ton of big league experience. He’s logged 21 innings over 20 appearances, posting a 5.57 ERA with a below-average 19.7% strikeout percentage. The low-slot righty has a better track record in the upper minors, pitching to a 3.84 ERA with a 25.6% strikeout rate through parts of six seasons in Triple-A. The O’s can bounce him between Baltimore and Norfolk for both this season and next if he holds a spot on their 40-man roster, as he’s in his second of three minor league option years.
While Reed can factor into the Orioles surprising postseason push this month, he wouldn’t be available to the club in the playoffs if they can run down a Wild Card spot. Players acquired after August 31 are ineligible for a team’s playoff roster. Now that he’s changed organizations in September, Reed won’t be allowed to participate in the 2022 postseason.
Araúz was claimed off waivers from the Red Sox in June. He’s spent most of his Orioles tenure on optional assignment to Norfolk but hasn’t appeared in a game since last Friday. The club hasn’t provided a reason for his absence, but Araúz will not count against the 40-man roster (nor will he be paid) for any time he spends on the restricted list.
Sanders was also a waiver claim from an AL East rival, joining the O’s from the Rays a few weeks ago. The 27-year-old didn’t suit up at the big league level with Baltimore, but he’ll stick in the organization. Sanders has never been outrighted before in his career, and he doesn’t have the requisite three years of MLB service time to elect free agency. Sanders made his first eight MLB appearances with the Rays earlier in the season, allowing five runs with a 12:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio through 14 2/3 innings.
Jake Reed was a good WR back in the day with the Vikings
Orioles really got some of their best relievers off waivers and said “well if one of them was good, maybe they’ll all be good”
One team’s “trash” is another team’s treasure. Lots have teams have gotten bit from having to expose players to waivers knowing there is zero chance they clear. Credit to the Orioles scouting department for being able to identify some really good finds
Credit not only to the scouts, but to the pitching coaches that rework them.
Part of acquiring players is having the scouts identify targets and the coaching staff and others look at video and analytics of the player to determine what they can do to possibly make make them productive. I heard Mark Elias the other day talk about a department they have that does this groundwork on possible candidates, but I forgot the name of it.
Angel’s gotta poach a few scouts/cross-checkers from other teams to bring in a fresh set of eyes. I’ve said it before, the Angels have a direct hotline to just about every college and JC in the SoCal area. SoCal has otherwordly JuCO baseball talent. Same with many high schools out here. Why are we not signing more of these guys?? I have attended many of these games myself. The talent is there and they are not seeing/finding it.
Artie Moreno is the Angels’ scouting staff. Nothing will change until he steps back from the team.
Mike Elias*
Arauz on the “restricted list”. That’s rare, right? It’s a special circumstance situation, yes? Because of this, is Jake eligible for playoff play even though this happened after 9/1?
Oops. Spoke to soon. Thanks Anthony B for the add on info in regards to playoff eligibility. Regards.
It’s Canada
The O’s can issue Reed another paper jersey to add to his collection.
O’s stocking up on some relief arms. Good time to see who might be a fit for next year’s ball club.
Although I am rooting for the O’s to make a wildcard, they have a ways to go, especially the SPs. Still, the O’s are working wonders with their pitching. Jordan Lyles lead the AL in giving up HRs last season. I thought he would be a disaster in Camden Yards. Dean Kremer was one of the worst starters last season. This year they are both solid SPs..
The O’s are a model team. They emphasize strong defense and effectively use roadrunners to reset the table. Mateo-Mullins (9-1) in the order set up Santander-Mountcastle (3-4) left-right perfectly. There’s no better defensive OF than Hays-Mullins-McKenna. What’s not to like about the future of Urias to Mateo to Henderson to Mountcastle?
I’ll argue the defensive outfield, from a dodger fan, Trayce Thompson, Bellinger and Betts is elite
The Os are a model ship. Let’s wait for the turpentine and paint the dry before putting them in the water. Meantime, the Rays are like little green army men and the Red Sox are barney the dinosaur
Jake Reed isn’t that the Tom Cruise action figurer