Outrighted To Triple-A: Johnson, Vasquez, Blue Jays
The latest outright assignments from around MLB…
- The Rays might not have made the playoff were it not for Dan Johnson's heroics in the final game of the regular season, but he's no longer on Tampa Bay's roster. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the Rays outrighted Johnson to Triple-A (Twitter links). The first baseman can elect free agency.
- The Mariners announced that they outrighted left-hander Anthony Vasquez to Triple-A. The 25-year-old posted a 8.90 ERA with 4.0 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 29 1/3 innings for Seattle in 2011. Vasquez must accept the assignment.
- The Blue Jays announced that they outrighted outfielder Adam Loewen and reliever Jesse Carlson off of their 40-man roster. Loewen, the fourth overall selection in the 2002 draft, successfully completed the transition from left-handed pitcher to outfielder in 2011. He posted a .306/.377/.508 line with 46 doubles at Triple-A before appearing in 14 games with the Blue Jays.
- Carlson, 30, spent the 2011 season on the disabled list after experiencing arm soreness in Spring Training and undergoing season-ending rotator cuff surgery in May. Carlson would have been arbitration eligible for the first time this offseason and his projected salary of $700K made him a clear non-tender candidate.
Quick Hits: Pirates, Cabrera, Realignment, Oeltjen
Links for Saturday, as a pair of offseason headliners (Cliff Lee and Matt Garza) prepare to face off in Philadelphia this afternoon…
- The Pirates have been asking around for a catcher but have found that the asking prices are high as clubs want to take advantage of their situation, tweets Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com. Pittsburgh is in a bind with Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder on the disabled list.
- As the Giants look for infield help, ESPN's Buster Olney (via Twitter) says that Orlando Cabrera is a name to keep an eye on. The veteran just lost his everyday job in Cleveland and the Giants were close to inking him over the winter.
- After the Orioles tabbed Dylan Bundy with the fourth overall pick in the draft, Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun takes a look at Adam Loewen, the No. 4 pick that got away.
- Major League Baseball and the players' association have discussed doing away with divisions altogether and balancing out the leagues to 15 teams each, writes ESPN.com's Buster Olney. The new structure would have teams vying for five playoff spots in each league. The odds of this happening, however, are still less than 50-50, according to one source.
- Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times says that Trent Oeltjen could have become a free agent if the Dodgers didn't add him to the Major League roster by June 15th (Twitter link). Oeltjen was called up two days ago.
- In a piece for ESPN, Jim Bowden wrote about how GM's prepare to make trades, a process that usually begins with low-ball offers being exchanged.
- The writers at FanGraphs conducted a franchise player draft, selecting a player they would build a team around. Evan Longoria and Troy Tulowitzki were the first two off the board.
- The Royals have signed 16 draft picks according to MLB.com's Dick Kaegel. The highest signed pick was ninth rounder Aaron Brooks.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Lee, Orioles, Gomes, Loewen
On this date back in 1996, catcher Chris Anderson delivered a run scoring single for the Hudson Valley Renegades of the short season New York-Penn League. It was the first hit ever recorded by a member of the then-Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization. Anderson was the team's 66th round draft pick that year, but he never made it out of A-ball and hit just .170/.236/.298 in 432 plate appearances before calling it a career in 1999. Every team starts somewhere.
Here are a few links from the baseball blogosphere…
- U.S.S. Mariner dubs the Twins as the favorites to land Cliff Lee this summer.
- Camden Chat likes the Orioles' draft haul, but thinks it could have been better.
- Bernie's Crew uses Milwaukee's roster to show that the later rounds of the draft can be productive as well.
- More Hardball looks at the bang Jonny Gomes has provided for the Reds' buck.
- Liam McGuire's Blog wonders if Adam Loewen is the second coming of Rick Ankiel.
- 1 Blue Jays Way interviewed Tom Filer, former big leaguer and current pitching coach for the Altoona Curve, Pittsburgh's Double-A affiliate.
- Baseball Opinion examines the best and worst picks of the 2005 draft.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here.
Jays Add Loewen, Bullington
3:01pm: Loewen is a Blue Jay, according to the Globe and Mail. The Jays also claimed Bryan Bullington off waivers from the Indians. Loewen talked to Kubatko today about his tough decision.
1:57pm: It sounds like Gaston’s pitch worked – Orioles president Andy MacPhail expects Loewen to sign with the Blue Jays. It’s not about money, but rather Loewen’s lifelong dream to play ball in Canada.
FRIDAY, 10:02am: Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun says Jays manager Cito Gaston called Loewen to sell him on the organization. Elliott says the Mariners and Orioles also want to sign the converted outfielder. Roch Kubatko is convinced Loewen will re-sign with Baltimore.
THURSDAY: Loewen cleared waivers; he’s now a free agent. He’s receiving more interest than anticipated.
TUESDAY: According to Roch Kubatko at MASN Online, the Orioles released Adam Loewen yesterday. Loewen was chosen fourth overall in the 2002 draft.
Loewen reached the Majors and tallied 164 innings, but elbow problems prompted him to reinvent himself as an outfielder this summer. According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles hope Loewen will clear waivers today so they can sign him to a minor league deal. He is out of options, but the Orioles want to be able to send him to the minors. If claimed, Loewen would need to remain on the 40-man roster and would earn $700K. Orioles GM Andy MacPhail doesn’t expect that to happen, nor does he expect Loewen to ink a minor league deal with another club.