The Tigers have acquired right-hander Ricky Vanasco from the Dodgers, per announcements from both clubs. Detroit had an open 40-man spot after trading Carson Kelly yesterday and optioned Vanasco to Triple-A Toledo. The Dodgers, who designated Vanasco for assignment recently, receive cash considerations in return.
Vanasco, now 25, was once a notable prospect for the Rangers but has had some challenges in recent years. He had Tommy John surgery in September of 2020 and missed the entire 2021 season. But Texas still believed in him enough that they didn’t want him taken in the Rule 5 draft, so Vanasco got a 40-man roster spot in November of 2021.
He returned to the mound in 2022, with some mixed results. In 92 1/3 innings on the farm, he struck out 28.9% of batters but also gave out walks at a 12.7% clip, leading to a 4.68 ERA. In 2023, he required knee surgery that forced him to miss a few months. The Rangers designated him for assignment in May and flipped him to the Dodgers.
The beginning of his tenure with the Dodgers was great, though he was outrighted off their roster not long after being acquired. He threw 30 innings in the minors last year after the deal with a 1.20 ERA, striking out 35% of opponents. He also significantly cut his walk rate to 8.1%.
Since he was outrighted off the roster last summer, he became a free agent at season’s end but the Dodgers re-signed him to a major league deal. Here in 2024, he’s spent most of the season on optional assignment but with his control issues seemingly resurfacing. In 23 1/3 Triple-A innings, he has a 3.47 ERA and 24.3% strikeout rate but a huge 18.9% walk rate.
That wildness undoubtedly played a role in nudging him off the Dodgers’ roster but the Tigers will take a shot on him. He is in his final option season, so they can keep him in Toledo to see if he can harness his stuff a little bit better. They can get a close-up look at him for now but he’ll be out of options next year. If he manages to hold onto his roster spot, he has just a few days of service time and can be kept well into the future.
cash oh yeah
It’s just as good as money.
Last year, the Dodgers traded Eddys Leonard and Lael Lockhart in separate deals for cash with the Tigers. Love it
Tigers must see something in him. But the guy has had 21 walks in 23.1 IP in AAA this year. Woof! His WHiP is over 1.7 for the season. So definitely a work in progress.
With all the injuries they should bring up Lockhart and Vanasco and give them some starts. Hurter, Madden and Manning (injured) have not been very good this year at AAA.
Tiger on tiger business according to the original post.
It’s grrrrreaaat!
“The Tigers have acquired right-hander Ricky Vanasco from the Tigers”
I hope they got a good deal.
Might want to correct that Darragh.
Tigers from tigers lol
the Dodgers deal we have all been waiting for.
Tigers acquiring from their own team!
Now that’s just smart business!
And somehow Harris still got fleeced.
Vanasco is partly responsible for the Tigers biggest comeback of the year! The 7/13 game.
The Tigers traded Vanasco to themselves for cash considerations? The Tigers got ripped off.
My brain is still trying to process that this doesn’t say Ricky Nolasco
There it is again. Consideration plural. All of the baseball writers and clubs use the term cash considerations incorrectly.
What about when the money is truly kind and thoughtful?
Or when they just promise to think about cash?
This might not be the most horrible pickup (although Vanasco’s BB% is extremely ugly), but shouldn’t the Tigers rather look for starters instead of short-inning relievers? Diaz might fit into the latter role, he looks really good with AAA Toledo.
Gruß,
BSHH
They have several starters (Faedo, Brieske, Maeda) in the bullpen because Hinch put them there and he is a genius….just ask him. This deal tells me that Foley is on the block. Given Harris’ dealing with the Dodgers at this point, let’s hope his check doesn’t bounce.
It seems that the Tiger’s Pitching department can work with just about any pitcher and find improvement. I believe this is a smart move for the organization.
The next project for Fetter. Vanasco was rated fairly well in Texas before he got injured. Could be a good pickup if they can fix the walks.
The Dodgers trading for cash seems like eskimos trading for ice.