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Drew Stubbs

Rangers Designate Drew Stubbs, Activate Carlos Gomez

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The Rangers have designated outfielder Drew Stubbs for assignment, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (via Twitter). His roster spot will go to the just-signed Carlos Gomez, who has been activated.

[RELATED: Updated Rangers Roster]

Gomez will go right onto action for Texas, playing left field and slotting into the eighth spot in the lineup. He is moving across the state after a hugely disappointing run with the Astros, who cut him loose recently. The Rangers are only on the hook for a pro-rated portion of the league minimum, and will surely hope that Gomez can provide a quality glove and at least begin to turn things around somewhat at the plate.

As for the 31-year-old Stubbs, this represents his second trip through DFA limbo this year. He joined the Rangers after being cut loose earlier by the Braves, playing at Triple-A until his recent promotion. Stubbs has been hitting well in his very brief major league stint with the Rangers, putting up an unusual .300/.400/.600 slash in 25 plate appearances.

Rangers Designate Patrick Kivlehan, Promote Joey Gallo; Drew Stubbs To DL

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The Rangers have announced a series of roster moves relating to their recent outfield injuries. A 40-man spot was cleared for the selection of the contract of Jared Hoying when the club designated Patrick Kivlehan for assignment. Meanwhile, outfielder Drew Stubbs was placed on the 15-day DL and top prospect Joey Gallo was promoted.

Texas had hoped that Stubbs could avoid a DL stint, but apparently his toe injury was significant enough that he will be shelved for at least 15 days. The club previously shelved fellow outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, and that combination of injuries led to the need for reinforcements.

Kivlehan, 26, was off to a rough start at Triple-A. He owns a .184/.252/.262 slash over 155 plate appearances. The Rangers acquired Kivlehan from the Mariners over the winter as the player to be named later in the Leonys Martin swap.

As for Gallo, the 22-year-old gets another crack at the majors after showing both his prodigious power and strikeout propensity in a 36-game stint last year. He hit six long balls but also struck out 57 times over 123 plate appearances, posting a .204/.301/.417 line overall.

Starting out back at Triple-A to begin the 2016 campaign, Gallo has impressed. He has increased his walk rate (20.8%) while cutting back significantly on the swings and misses (22.6% strikeout rate). And those gains haven’t come at the expense of power: Gallo owns a .265/.415/.639 slash over 106 plate appearances, with eight home runs.

It’s not yet known how Texas will deploy Gallo or how long he’ll stay up. He’s primarily a third baseman, but saw time in the outfield last year and could conceivably also play first or DH. The club is six games above .500 despite sub-par performances from its two primary options at those spots, Mitch Moreland and Prince Fielder.

Certainly, it’s possible to imagine any number of scenarios unfolding. If Gallo does stay in the majors the rest of the way, he’d be able to accumulate 133 days of service after entering the year with 63 to his credit. In that case, he’d pass one full year (172 days) and move one year closer to free agency. Even if he can’t stick on the active roster for good, an extended stint or two could leave Gallo on pace for eventual Super Two status.

AL West Notes: Mariners’ Payroll, Wilson, Stubbs, Alvarez

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The new Mariners ownership group fronted is prepared to follow through on CEO John Stanton’s comments that “payroll matters” (made at the press conference announcing the ownership change) when the trade deadline approaches, reports Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times, citing a pair of sources that are “intricately tied to the ownership group.” As Baker writes, former CEO Howard Lincoln was required to run all decisions by representatives from Nintendo of America prior to their sale of the majority stake of the club, and the result was often lackluster acquisitions. Even though the sale won’t be formalized until August, however, Nintendo isn’t likely to intervene with payroll matters at this point, and Lincoln, who remains involved in a lesser role, is said to be on board with increasing the payroll as necessary in order to augment a roster that has produced a first-place record through the season’s first 31 games.

More from the AL West…

  • John McGrath of the Tacoma News Tribune argues that Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto should act quickly to sign right-hander Tim Lincecum, who threw for more than 20 teams on Friday of last week. While the Mariners don’t necessarily have an immediate rotation need, McGrath points out that several relievers are on the disabled list and adds that there are ominous signs surrounding Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma. Pitching injuries are commonplace throughout the league, of course, and adding Lincecum to serve as the next line of defense while working out of the bullpen in the short-term is a sensible play for Dipoto, McGrath opines. There’s logic behind everything McGrath writes, though if a club comes knocking with a firmer promise of a rotation spot, I can envision Lincecum preferring that even to signing with current first-place team that plays in his home town.
  • Last week’s acquisitions of Bobby Wilson and Drew Stubbs weren’t exactly the largest moves made by Rangers GM Jon Daniels, writes Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News, but they’re a testament to his importance to the club’s success. The pair of additions is a reminder of Daniels’ willingness to make in-season upgrades, and each of the subtle transactions played a role in a Rangers win over the weekend. Manager Jeff Banister spoke highly about the impact of Daniels’ activity within the clubhouse. “That’s why I love the partnership that I have with JD and the entire front office,” he said. “We’re always in communication about ways to better our ballclub with players who have a different skill set. … It’s a big boost for our guys. They know this front office is willing to work for them.” Banister added that he’d be fine with the idea of Wilson and Stubbs, each of whom was with the Rangers in Spring Training but ended up elsewhere, “unpacking his bags” and sticking with the club.
  • The Athletics optioned right-hander Jesse Hahn back to Triple-A this weekend in favor of reliever J.B. Wendelken, as Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle writes. It’s expected that right-hander Henderson Alvarez, signed to a one-year deal after being non-tendered by the Marlins this winter, will ultimately step into that rotation spot. However, manager Bob Melvin said yesterday that Alvarez needs another pair of rehab starts, which could lead to left-hander Eric Surkamp getting a spot start when the fifth spot in the rotation comes up next.

Rangers Sign Drew Stubbs To Big-League Deal

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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.

Braves Designate Drew Stubbs, Option Jace Peterson

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The Braves has designated outfielder Drew Stubbs for assignment, reports Mark Bowman of MLB.com (Twitter link). That DFA comes as part of a flurry of roster moves; the Braves have selected the contracts of veterans Reid Brignac, Chase d’Arnaud and Matt Tuiasosopo (David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported the Tuiasosopo news earlier today) and also recalled right-hander Mike Foltynewicz from Triple-A Gwinnett. Infielder Jace Peterson and right-hander John Gant have been optioned to Gwinnett as well. Atlanta has since announced the moves (also via Twitter).

Stubbs, 31, batted .237/.310/.316 with a homer and four steals in 20 games/42 plate appearances for the Braves prior to being jettisoned from the 40-man roster. He picked up his fair share of at-bats with Ender Inciarte on the disabled list while serving as part of a timeshare in center field with rookie Mallex Smith. However, with Inciarte set to return from the disabled list in the near future, his presence on the roster was perhaps deemed superfluous for Atlanta.

Peterson, 25, saw regular at-bats with the Braves for much of last season but cooled considerably down the stretch and has posted a woeful .182/.260/.205 batting line in 50 plate appearances this season. The infielder will hope to get back on track and return to the form that allowed him to bat .284/.363/.389 through his first 65 games last season. That production, though, was bolstered by a .339 batting average on balls in play, and the fact that his strikeout rate climbed in the second half of the 2015 campaign as well as early in the 2016 season (26 percent this year) suggests that returning to those heights could be a difficult task.

Brignac, d’Arnaud (the older brother of Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud) and Tuiasosopo all come with their fair share of MLB experience, though none of the bunch has enjoyed prolong success a the big league level. Given the high volume of roster turnover we’ve seen from the Braves across the past seven months of regular-season play, it seems highly plausible that none of the three will be a long-term addition to the big league roster. Foltynewicz, however, should have a chance to stick in the rotation now that fellow right-hander Bud Norris has seemingly been dropped from the rotation.

Braves Sign Drew Stubbs To Minor-League Deal

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The Braves have signed outfielder Drew Stubbs to a minor-league deal and invited him to what remains of big-league camp, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reports (Twitter links). Stubbs is represented by Lagardere Unlimited.

The Rangers released Stubbs earlier this week after he exercised his opt-out. He struggled with the Rockies and Rangers last year, batting .195/.283/.382 in 140 plate appearances, and he hasn’t hit well overall in his career, generally struggling to hit for average. He is only 31, though, and has a decent track record of providing valuable center field defense and a bit of home-run power.

Bowman notes that the deal could lead the Braves to re-think their outfield depth situation. Bowman also says Jeff Francoeur’s job on the big club is seemingly “safe,” though, and the Braves have what looks like a crowded outfield picture, with Ender Inciarte, Nick Markakis, Hector Olivera, Michael Bourn and Francoeur, along with Emilio Bonifacio and Kelly Johnson, who can also play other positions. David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution tweets, however, that he expects the Stubbs deal will lead to Bonifacio’s departure from the organization. Bonifacio is signed to a big-league deal that will pay him $1.25MM.

Rangers Release Drew Stubbs

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The Rangers have released outfielder Drew Stubbs, per an announcement from club executive VP of communications John Blake.

He had exercised his opt-out provision, Jeff Wilson of the Forth Worth Star-Telegram reports (Twitter links). Texas would likely welcome a reunion on a new minors deal if Stubbs can’t find a gig elsewhere, Wilson adds.

There were several factors at play here for Texas in deciding not to add Stubbs to the 40-man. His most valuable assets are speed and defense up the middle, and Ian Desmond’s work at center in the spring may reduce their appeal of carrying a backup for Delino DeShields Jr. And, of course, there’s reason to believe that one or both of fellow right-handed-hitting outfield options Justin Ruggiano and Ryan Rua could provide more with the bat.

Stubbs, 31, has had a couple of solid seasons on offense, but on the whole carries a batting line that is about 10% below the league mean. He’s never graded as a standout defender, but has a solid glove. And while he hasn’t always maintained a sky-high stolen base total, Stubbs has rated as a truly elite baserunner.

Rangers Sign Drew Stubbs To Minor League Deal

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FEB. 28: Stubbs’ contract comes with a $1.5MM base salary in the Majors, reports Jon Heyman (via Twitter).

FEB. 27: The Rangers have officially announced the signing.

FEB. 26: Outfielder Drew Stubbs will sign a minor league deal with the Rangers, reports ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter). The contract contains an invitation to Major League Spring Training.

The 31-year-old Stubbs finished out the 2015 season with the Rangers after having been released by the Rockies, though he went just 2-for-21 in 26 regular season plate appearances (plus another 1-for-4 in the postseason). Crasnick reported over the weekend that Texas was interested in a reunion with Stubbs, which makes sense considering the present uncertainty surrounding Josh Hamilton’s knee. Hamilton is currently slated to open the season on the disabled list.

While the 2015 season, as a whole, represented a poor year for Stubbs, he batted .289/.339/.482 as recently as 2014. The hitters’ haven that is Coors Field undoubtedly contributed to some of that robust production, but Stubbs has proven himself to have a nice blend of power and speed over the years. From 2010-14, Stubbs averaged 144 games, 15 homers and 27 stolen bases per season to go along with a .245/.314/.393 batting line.

Rangers Interested In Drew Stubbs

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The Rangers have discussed Drew Stubbs as an outfield depth option, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com tweets.  However, Texas only wants to sign him to a minor league deal.

Texas signed Stubbs to a minor league deal back in August after he was cut loose by the Rockies.  After slashing .216/.286/.431 across 51 games for the Rockies, Stubbs hit just .095/.269/.143 for Texas in a limited sample size of 26 plate appearances.  For his career, Stubbs has hit .244/.313/.395 at the plate across seven years.

Stubbs provided the lefty-heavy Rangers with a useful option down the stretch last season and he could be called back to fill the same role in 2016.  Still, the Rangers are not presently willing to give the 31-year-old a guaranteed spot on the varsity squad.  We haven’t heard much about Stubbs’ free agency in recent weeks, so an incentive-laden minor league pact might be a good solution for both sides.

East Notes: Encarnacion, Nationals, Rollins, Cabrera, Braves, Howard, Giles

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Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion will not entertain extension talks into the regular season, WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford reports. If a new deal isn’t worked out, of course, Encarnacion would stand to reach free agency after the 2016 season, where Bradford says he could draw interest from Boston. Toronto executive Tony LaCava said today that he’s not been informed of that stance by Encarnacion’s camp, but would respect the request if it’s made, per MLB.com’s Gregor Chisholm (via Twitter). LaCava also said “it’s possible” that the Jays could reach new deals with both Encarnacion and fellow power bat Jose Bautista, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca tweets. As MLBTR’s Mark Polishuk recently explained in breaking down the extension candidacy of Bautista, however, it’s worth wondering whether the team will be willing and able to commit to both players.

Here’s more from the game’s eastern divisions:

  • If the Nationals can’t draw Ben Zobrist to D.C., the club could consider Jimmy Rollins as a lower-cost bridge to prospect Trea Turner at short, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney tweets. In his comments today, GM Mike Rizzo said that he doesn’t feel compelled to add at the shortstop position, whether or not Zobrist is brought on board to play second. “I have a comfort level that if today were opening day, we have a shortstop on the roster and feel good about it,” said Rizzo, via Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post.
  • The Nationals’ head baseball executive also noted that there’s been some interest in veteran Yunel Escobar, who could factor at short or elsewhere in the infield if he’s not dealt. “There’s been several teams that have inquired about Escobar,” Rizzo said. “He’s a versatile player that’s a good hitter and a really good big-league player, so there have been several teams that have interest in him.” Escobar could be expendable if an
  • The Yankees have at least some level of interest in infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports on Twitter. It’s unclear as of yet how much cash New York will dedicate to free agency, but Cabrera could be an option at second for the club, per Morosi.
  • While the Braves are interested in signing a center fielder, the club isn’t keen on giving up a draft choice to get Dexter Fowler and could find Austin Jackson too expensive, ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick reports (Twitter links). Atlanta could instead pursue the trade route, with a fallback of platooning Michael Bourn with a cheaper free agent in the mold of Drew Stubbs.
  • New Phillies GM Matt Klentak sat down recently with first baseman Ryan Howard and his agent to discuss his role with the organization, MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki reports. “Everybody was very honest with each other, and he seemed genuinely excited and energized looking forward to next year,” said Klentak. “If Ryan Howard is performing, Ryan Howard is going to play,” Klentak went on to say. “If he’s not, he’ll play less. And that’s not specific to Ryan, that’s true to everyone on our club and probably just about everyone in baseball.”
  • Klentak also acknowledged that the Phillies are drawing plenty of interest in closer Ken Giles, as Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports. Philadelphia is “taking it day by day” in assessing whether to move Giles, but doesn’t — and, in my view, shouldn’t — feel any pressure to force a move. “I don’t know how much I really want to say about that, but, yeah, there’s a lot of interest in him because he’s good, and because he’s young and because he’s cheap,” said Klentak. “We’ll see. I don’t know how that’s going to shake out, [but] if he’s with us we’ll be very happy he’s still with us.”
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