Outfielder Travis Jankowski has elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Syracuse, according to his transactions tracker at MLB.com. That indicates he cleared waivers after being designated for assignment by the Mets last week.
Jankowski, 34, is a veteran outfielder of the speed-and-defense variety. He has been bouncing around the league this year, heading wherever there’s an opportunity for him. He has suited up for the White Sox, Rays and Mets, getting into 26 games between those three clubs. He has a combined batting line of .244/.286/.289 in 50 plate appearances this year.
Over his career, he has hit a bit better than that, with a .236/.318/.305 line in 1,759 plate appearances. But as mentioned, his other attributes are how he pays the bills. He has 3,601 innings of outfield work with 29 Defensive Runs Saved and 32 Outs Above Average. He has also stolen 104 bases in 129 tries.
It seems that, at this stage, teams are happy to give him a roster spot when they have a few injuries. Then when guys get healthy, they bump Jankowski off the roster. As a veteran with years of experience, he has the right to reject outright assignments and elect free agency, which he is comfortable doing. This is his third time opting for the open market this season.
He will now see what opportunities await him. With the trade deadline coming up, plenty of roster shuffling will be taking place in the coming weeks. Perhaps that will open a path to playing time for him somewhere.
Photo courtesy of Wendell Cruz, Imagn Images
Quick, someone take away Chris Young’s phone.
Good player, shame they had no room for him. Best of luck Travis!
You can’t be on every team in a season if you don’t make yourself available.
LoL on the move again. I thought I suggested him and Billy McKinney join a band called the YoYos. Both of them are always up and down from the minors
Keep playing Travis! If I were a player you’d have to drag my rotting carcass off the diamond. No way I’d retire until I absolutely had to.
Dude is only 34, he’s got another 50 years or so to live; that is a long time retired….
Im starting to feel bad for this guy, good OF, good hitter always getting the schnide.
Pack lightly my friend.
Rockies
Let’s appreciate for a moment what it’s like for guys like Jankowski. They contribute to major league clubs when the club is in a pinch and have to live out of a suitcase and hotels all year for their trouble. Proverbial tip of the cap to them!