Athletics Designate Daniel Gossett For Assignment
The Athletics have announced their Opening Day, 30-man roster, revealing a series of transactions in the process. Oakland has designated right-hander Daniel Gossett for assignment in order to make room on the 40-man roster for fellow righty Daniel Mengden, who has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list. The A’s also formally placed southpaw A.J. Puk on the 10-day IL and optioned catcher Jonah Heim to their alternate site. Puk has been recently hampered by shoulder troubles, and it was reported two days back that he’d miss at least a couple of weeks.
Gossett, 27, hasn’t pitched since 2018 thanks to Tommy John surgery. He was limited to 24 1/3 innings that year and has yet to enjoy much in the way of success at the MLB level. Be that as it may, though, he has a nice track record in the upper minors, including a career 2.87 ERA, 8.2 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 128 1/3 innings in a very hitter-friendly Triple-A Pacific Coast League.
Gossett was a second-round pick back in 2014 and breezed through the minors before running into rough waters at the MLB level. Given that background and the fact that he still has a minor league option remaining, it’s certainly possible that a starter-hungry club will want to speculate on the right-hander. Oakland will have a week to trade Gossett, place him on outright waivers or release him.
Athletics Select Jonah Heim
The Athletics have selected the contract of catcher Jonah Heim, per a club announcement. He’d have qualified for minor-league free agency had he not been moved onto the 40-man roster.
Heim, 24, is a former fourth-round pick who took some time getting acclimated to the professional ranks as a hitter. He hasn’t yet debuted in the majors but is obviously seen as a near-term option in Oakland.
Last season represented a breakthrough for Heim, who was acquired from the Rays in the 2017-18 offseason. He posted a .282/.370/.431 batting line in 208 Double-A plate appearances, walking 24 times against just 27 strikeouts. Then, he boosted his power (as did so many others) in a 119 PA run at Triple-A, where he slashed .358/.412/.557.
The A’s are expected to rely heavily upon newcomer Sean Murphy in 2019. Josh Phegley (or a replacement) will likely open as the reserve. But Heim will also be an option if and when a need arises.