Yankees Acquire J.R. Graham From Twins
The Yankees have announced that they’ve acquired righty J.R. Graham from the Twins in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. They’ve optioned him to Double-A Trenton. To clear space for Graham on their 40-man roster, they’ve placed outfielder Mason Williams on the 60-day DL.
The Twins designated Graham for assignment last week after he allowed ten runs in 8 1/3 innings for Triple-A Rochester this season. Graham came through the Braves system and experienced only modest success as a starter, but he caught a break when Minnesota selected Graham him in the 2014 Rule 5 Draft, likely figuring his mid-90s heater would play up in relief. He spent most of 2015 in their bullpen, posting a 4.95 ERA, 7.5 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 for the season while leaning heavily on his fastball and slider. The Yankees will presumably continue to give Graham chances in a bullpen role, perhaps hoping he develops given additional time in the high minors.
Cubs Designate Ryan Kalish For Assignment
The Cubs have designated lefty-hitting outfielder Ryan Kalish for assignment, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune tweets. The move clears space on the team’s active roster for catcher Miguel Montero, who’s returning from a back injury.
The 28-year-old Kalish made ten plate appearances for the Cubs this season. His last significant big-league experience came in 2014, also with the Cubs, when he batted .248/.295/.347 in 130 plate appearances. He did not play in 2015 after a minor-league pact with the Blue Jays fell apart. Kalish was once a top prospect in the Red Sox organization, but a series of injuries presented obstacles in his path to big-league success. He’s now played in parts of four big-league seasons, but has never appeared in two consecutive ones, also sitting out most of 2011 and all of 2013.
Week In Review: 5/7/16 – 5/13/16
Here’s a look back at the past week at MLBTR.
Key Moves
- The Nationals signed Stephen Strasburg to a seven-year extension.
- MLB suspended Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes through May 31.
- The Rangers signed veteran starter Kyle Lohse to a minor league deal.
- The Yankees promoted top prospect Gary Sanchez.
Signed
- Rangers – OF Drew Stubbs (link)
Trades
- Angels – acquired P Jhoulys Chacin from Braves for P Adam McCreery, acquired SS Brendan Ryan from Nationals for cash or a PTBNL
- Brewers – acquired P Jhan Marinez from Rays
- White Sox – acquired P Anthony Ranaudo from Rangers for P Matt Ball
- Braves – acquired C Anthony Recker from Indians for cash considerations
Claims
- Padres – C Hector Sanchez (from White Sox), P Keith Hessler (from Diamondbacks)
Designated For Assignment
- Padres – OF Jabari Blash (link)
- Angels – P Javy Guerra (link)
- Brewers – P Michael Kirkman (link)
- Marlins – P Craig Breslow (link)
- Angels – 1B Ji-Man Choi (link)
- Braves – OF Matt Tuiasosopo (link)
Outrighted
- Dodgers – P Casey Fien (link)
- Brewers – P Sam Freeman (link)
- Giants – P Vin Mazzaro (link)
- Twins – P Ryan O’Rourke (link)
- Orioles – P Scott McGough (link)
- Indians – C Adam Moore (link)
Released
- White Sox – P John Danks (link)
Key Minor League Signings
- Angels – P David Carpenter (link)
- Marlins – P Joe Beimel (link)
- Diamondbacks – OF Michael Bourn (link)
Latest On The Angels’ Rotation
The Angels were at Kyle Lohse‘s recent showcase, Jon Heyman writes (Twitter links). Heyman also notes that they have considered Tim Lincecum, as John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle and others had previously noted.
There’s no indication yet that the Angels’ interest in either player is serious, although their connection to two veteran starters is still worth noting, given their apparent need for rotation help. Angels starters Garrett Richards and Andrew Heaney both have UCL damage, and Richards, at least, will require Tommy John surgery. The injuries leave the Angels’ rotation thin, and as Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times points out, the Angels’ trades of prospects Sean Newcomb and Chris Ellis last season and their poorly rated farm system will make it difficult to trade for a good starting pitcher.
That leaves them as logical suitors for pitchers like Lohse and Lincecum who remain on the free agent market. Lohse, who had a showcase yesterday, posted a 5.85 ERA, 6.4 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in an ugly 2015 season with Milwaukee but was reasonably successful in the four seasons prior to that. What Lincecum might be able to contribute as he returns from hip surgery is unclear, but he’s still fairly young, at 31, and was once a superstar.
With Richards, Heaney and C.J. Wilson unavailable, the Angels’ rotation currently consists of Jered Weaver, Hector Santiago and Nick Tropeano. Cory Rasmus, normally a reliever, started Friday night, although he allowed five runs over just 2 1/3 innings. Nate Smith or Matt Shoemaker, both currently with the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, could also be candidates to take big-league starts, as DiGiovanna notes. Tyler Skaggs is also on a rehab assignment with the Bees, although he was shut down two weeks ago with biceps tendinitis and has not pitched since.
Reds Option J.J. Hoover To Minors, Promote Steve Delabar
The Reds have announced a variety of roster moves, among them the demotion of righty J.J. Hoover, who started the season as their closer, to Triple-A Louisville. They also recalled righty Drew Hayes from Louisville, selected the contract of veteran righty Steve Delabar, placed righty Jon Moscot (shoulder) on the 15-day DL, and transferred catcher Devin Mesoraco (shoulder) to the 60-day DL.
Hoover had a disastrous beginning to his season, allowing 18 runs (17 earned), six home runs and six walks in 10 2/3 innings. He was expected to work the ninth inning for a Reds team that traded Aroldis Chapman over the winter, but that arrangement did not work out, to put it mildly.
The rest of the Reds’ moves reflect the considerable uncertainty that surrounds the rest of the team’s pitching staff as well. Perhaps the most notable move is the promotion of Delabar, who agreed to a minor-league deal with the Reds late in Spring Training after the Blue Jays released him. Delabar had posted a 2.19 ERA for Louisville, but with an alarming 11 walks in 12 1/3 innings. The 2013 All-Star has fallen on hard times in recent seasons, and posted a 5.22 ERA, 9.2 K/9 and 4.3 BB/9 in 29 2/3 innings with the Jays last year. The Reds bullpen’s 6.28 ERA for the season is by far the worst in the Majors, however, so they have little to lose in giving Delabar a shot.
Moscot missed a start with shoulder discomfort earlier this week, although, via MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon (on Twitter), an MRI showed no structural damage. Mesoraco is set to have shoulder surgery and will miss the rest of the season.
Dodgers Claim Casey Fien From Twins
2:56pm: Fien will join the Dodgers’ big-league team, Shaikin tweets.
1:45pm: The Dodgers have claimed righty reliever Casey Fien from the Twins, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times tweets. Minnesota placed Fien on waivers earlier this week along with Tommy Milone. The Twins also outrighted Milone today, as Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press tweets.
Fien allowed 12 runs and five homers in 13 2/3 innings with the Twins this season. He had been significantly more effective in the previous several seasons, however (even as his strikeout rate has progressively declined), and last year he posted a 3.55 ERA with 5.8 K/9 and an excellent 1.1 BB/9 over 63 1/3 frames. He also hasn’t shown a significant loss of velocity in 2016 as compared to last season. Fien clearly seems able to throw strikes, but that tendency might sometimes get him into trouble, as he’s an extreme fly-ball pitcher.
The Dodgers’ immediate plans for Fien aren’t yet clear. They’re looking for reliable bullpen help to complement Kenley Jansen (and are reportedly considering adding top prospect Julio Urias to their bullpen). Fien is optionable, however. Fien will make $2.275MM this season (a salary that the Dodgers will assume as a result of the claim), and the Dodgers can take him through the arbitration process for two more seasons beyond this one if they choose.
Central Notes: Naquin, Moustakas, Pirates
The Indians have announced that they’ve optioned rookie outfielder Tyler Naquin to Triple-A Columbus. They’ve also recalled Cody Anderson, who will start today’s game against the Royals. With Naquin heading down, it appears Rajai Davis will take over as the Indians’ everyday center fielder. The move initially appears to be a somewhat surprising one, since Naquin has hit .315/.327/.426 this season. There does appear to be some logic to the move, however. Naquin struck out 19 times against one walk, and he has limited Triple-A experience. The Indians also have more outfield options than they did at the beginning of the season with Michael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall having returned from the disabled list. It might also be worth noting that if Naquin plays for a few weeks in the minors this season, the Indians can control him for an extra year, potentially allowing him to reach free agency after 2022 rather than 2021. Here’s more from the Central divisions.
- Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a thumb fracture, as Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star and other reporters have noted. Moustakas hurt himself last week in Anaheim on a tag at third. The Royals have recalled Cheslor Cuthbert to take Moustakas’ spot on their active roster. Moustakas (.258/.314/.536 this season) is one of the very few Royals position players who have hit well this year, so his absence should be a blow to the Kansas City offense.
- Members of the Pirates are relieved that MLB has canceled their planned two-game series against the Marlins in Puerto Rico later this month, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes. The trip was intended to be part of the league’s celebration of Roberto Clemente Day, which celebrates the legendary Pirate and Puerto Rican, but players expressed concern about the spread of the Zika virus, which could impact their families. “[W]hen we sat down with the CDC and they gave us a thorough presentation, we felt that the risk to the players and the players’ families was just too significant to proceed,” says Pirates union representative Gerrit Cole.
Orioles Designate Scott McGough For Assignment
The Orioles have announced that they’ve designated righty Scott McGough for assignment. The move clears space for infielder Paul Janish, who the Orioles have added to their roster to provide Manny Machado with a bit of shortstop help for their doubleheader against the Athletics today. The O’s also optioned lefty T.J. McFarland to Triple-A Norfolk.
The Orioles claimed McGough from the Marlins last month, then sent him to Norfolk, where he struggled in six appearances. For the season, McGough has allowed 12 runs and six walks while striking out seven over 8 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old made six relief appearances for the Marlins last season.
Rangers Sign Drew Stubbs To Big-League Deal
The Rangers have signed veteran outfielder Drew Stubbs to a big-league deal, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets. To clear roster space for him, they’ve optioned lefty Alex Claudio to Triple-A and transferred Josh Hamilton to the 60-day DL. Stubbs is represented by Lagardere Unlimited.
The Braves designated Stubbs for assignment and then released him earlier this week after he hit .237/.310/.316 in 42 plate appearances with Atlanta. Stubbs is a somewhat familiar face for the Rangers — he played for them briefly last year and was in Spring Training with the club this season before he opted out of his minor-league deal.
The 31-year-old Stubbs is a veteran of eight big-league seasons, having also played with the Reds, Indians and Rockies in addition to the Rangers and Braves. He has a career .244/.313/.394 line, generally hitting for good power but striking out frequently. He hasn’t hit well in the past two seasons, although he still appears to be a capable defensive center fielder and can provide a bit of speed off the bench. Delino DeShields has struggled offensively this season as the Rangers’ starting CF, but Stubbs still appears ticketed for a bench role.
Dodgers Considering Promoting Julio Urias
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says the team is considering promoting one of baseball’s top prospects, lefty Julio Urias, to join its bullpen, J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group tweets. “We’re looking through options and (Julio) Urias is definitely at the top of the list,” Hoornstra says. The team could also promote Jharel Cotton or Jose De Leon instead, however, as Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles times notes (also on Twitter).
Urias has been dominant in the rotation at Triple-A Oklahoma City this season even though he’s still just 19. The lefty has pitched 24 innings so far, posting a 1.88 ERA while whiffing 29 and walking just three. Via MLB.com, Urias rates as the second-best prospect in baseball. Heading into the season, Baseball America rated Urias fourth, while ESPN’s Keith Law rated him fifth. MLB.com notes that Urias throws in the 91-94 MPH range, can throw as hard as 97 MPH, has good secondary pitches, and could eventually become an ace.
Urias joined the Dodgers organization in 2012 and has rocketed through the minors since then, making stunningly quick work of the lower levels and reaching Triple-A in his age-18 season. He has a career 2.81 ERA, 10.7 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 and has spent almost his entire minor-league career as a starter, the role he figures to occupy in the big leagues over the long term.
Of course, the reason the Dodgers are considering promoting Urias right now is because they need help in their bullpen, as the team has struggled to find trustworthy relief help beyond closer Kenley Jansen. Promoting Urias to help in relief would allow him to limit his innings for the season and ease his transition to the big leagues. If they were to promote him and he were to stick, he would likely become eligible for arbitration after the 2018 season and for free agency after 2022.