Astros Acquire Travis Blackley
The Athletics have traded left-handed pitcher Travis Blackley to the Astros in exchange for minor league outfielder Jake Goebbert, Oakland announced via Twitter. The A's designated Blackley for assignment last Friday after claiming pitchers Danny Otero and Josh Stinson earlier that day.
Blackley, 30, tossed 107 2/3 innings last year, mostly for Oakland, sporting a 4.10 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9. After the A's claimed him on waivers from the Giants last season, the Australian started fifteen games for the eventual AL West champs. Blackley is expected to work as a long reliever for Houston, which will need to make a corresponding roster move, writes Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
Goebbert is a 25-year-old corner outfielder who hit .291/.388/.450 over 468 minor league plate appearances last year, the vast majority of which came at Double-A . He has yet to show much at the Triple-A level, with a .250/.325/.360 line in 152 plate appearances over the last two seasons. Goebbert had been set to start the year in Triple-A for the Houston organization.
A’s Claim Otero, Designate Barton, Blackley
The Athletics have claimed pitcher Danny Otero from the Yankees and designated first baseman Daric Barton and pitcher Travis Blackley for assignment, according to a team news release. Earlier in the day, the A's also claimed pitcher Josh Stinson from the Brewers.
Barton has collected 1,583 major-league at bats, all with the A's, hitting .249/.360/.371. He hit .204/.338/.292 in part-time duty in 2012. Blackley pitched in 102 2/3 innings with the A's in 2012, posting a 3.86 ERA with 6.0 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9.
Athletics Claim Travis Blackley
The Athletics announced that they claimed left-hander Travis Blackley off of waivers from the Giants. The A's moved Joey Devine to the 60-day disabled list to free up a 40-man roster spot in a corresponding move. The team will announce a corresponding 25-man roster move once Blackley reports to his new club.
Blackley, 29, allowed seven hits and five earned runs in five innings for the Giants before getting designated for assignment two days ago. He has a 3.98 ERA with 7.7 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in ten minor league seasons.
This marks the third time this year the Athletics have claimed an Australian-born player, as MLBTR's Transaction Tracker shows. They claimed Rich Thompson from the Angels and Luke Hughes from the Twins back in April.
Giants Designate Travis Blackley For Assignment
The Giants have designated left-hander Travis Blackley for assignment, according to Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area (on Twitter). In corresponding moves, Jeremy Affeldt has been activated from the disabled list, Conor Gillaspie has been optioned to Triple-A, and Charlie Culberson has been recalled.
The 29-year-old native of Australia signed a minor league deal with the 2010 World Series champions this past February and appeared in only four games. Blackley totaled five innings and allowed five earned runs, walking two and striking out two as well.
Originally signed by the Mariners as an international free agent in 2000, Blackley has just 39 2/3 innings of Major League experience. He's struggled in the big leagues, amassing a 9.30 ERA, 6.6 BB/9, and 5.2 K/9. He's fared better in the minors, where he has a 4.54 ERA over 589 Triple-A innings. The San Francisco Chronicle's Henry Schulman tweets that Blackley likely will stay in the organization.
Minor Moves: Blackley, Gomez
Keeping track of the day's minor moves…
- The Giants signed left-hander Travis Blackley to a minor league deal, MLB.com's Chris Haft reports. The 29-year-old Australia native has MLB experience with the 2004 Mariners and the 2007 Giants. He didn't pitch affiliated baseball in 2011.
- The Red Sox announced that they signed first baseman Mauro Gomez to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to Spring Training. Gomez, 27, spent the 2011 season with the Braves' top affiliate and led the International League with 264 total bases. The Dominican Republic native had 24 homers and 34 doubles at Triple-A last year.
A’s Sign Willie Eyre, Travis Blackley
The A’s agreed to minor league deals with right-hander Willie Eyre and left-hander Travis Blackley, according to the team. Both will report to big league spring training as non-roster invitees.
Eyre, 32, spent the 2010 season at Triple-A in the Rangers organization. He posted a 3.50 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 72 innings. His big league numbers are less impressive, though. Eyre has a 5.14 ERA with 4.7 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 in 92 career games.
Blackley, who turned 28 yesterday, last pitched in the major leagues in 2007. The Australia native pitched to a 2.52 ERA with 8.8 K/9 and 5.6 BB/9 in 35 2/3 Triple-A innings for the A's this year.
Odds & Ends: Red Sox, Adrian, Strasburg, Mets, Zito
Links for Saturday…
- The time Scott Schoeneweis spent with the Brewers in Spring Training likely gave him a leg up on Alan Embree this season, writes Ian Browne of MLB.com. Embree was DFA'd yesterday by the BoSox in order to make room for Daisuke Matsuzaka.
- Dodgers prospect Andrew Lambo was suspended 50 games for his second violation of baseball's drug policy, tweets Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. Prior to the 2009 season, the outfielder ranked 49th on Baseball America's top 100 prospects list.
- Jim Bowden of XM Radio (via Twitter) spoke to Adrian Gonzalez, who says that he's not looking at Ryan Howard's new contract.
- With a good outing for Double-A Harrisburg tomorrow, the Nats will promote Stephen Strasburg to Triple-A Syracuse, writes MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
- The Mets' Triple-A affiliate cut lefty Travis Blackley loose, tweets Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. The move will make room for the returning Elmer Dessens.
- ESPN's Buster Olney notes that Barry Zito has reinvented himself this season, and is starting to deliver a little of what the Giants were expecting when they signed him for $126MM.
- Mark Bradley of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution doesn't believe the Braves can compete with the lineup as constructed.
- Within this piece, Richard Justice of The Houston Chronicle mentions that prior to trading Brad Lidge to the Phillies, the Indians were willing to part with Cliff Lee to obtain the All-Star closer. That was the offseason prior to Lee's breakout Cy Young season.
- In an article for ESPN Boston, Mike Andrews of SoxProspects.com looks at the Red Sox depth and what the backup plans are should any of the regulars get injured.
Odds and Ends: Wilson, Bautista, Hairston
Linkage for Friday…
- The AP explains how C.C. Sabathia will be paid $9.5MM before throwing a pitch for the Yankees.
- The D’Backs signed lefty Travis Blackley.
- Dan Johnson is headed to Japan.
- The Cardinals signed Japanese pitcher Katsuhiko Maekawa to a minor league deal. Patrick Newman has details.
- Interesting discussion involving Raul Ibanez‘s defense.
- I did a Q&A with SportingGurus.com.
- Ken Rosenthal guesses destinations for 11 remaining free agents in this slideshow.
- MLB is undergoing a hiring/salary freeze and taking away 20% of vacation time for ’09.
- Dejan Kovacevic had a lengthy chat with Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson, who wishes the team would get more players to become competitive. In his article Kovacevic also notes that the Pirates have had talks about bringing back pitcher Denny Bautista, who was non-tendered a week ago.
- Are the Mariners trying to open up a spot for Jerry Hairston Jr.? They’re looking to add a plus-plus defensive second baseman; not sure if he qualifies.
- Aubrey Huff tops the list of fantasy baseball’s biggest draft position gainers.
- Royals pitcher Kyle Davies is working a construction job this offseason.
- The Orioles settled with Sidney Ponson regarding their grievance.
Mariners Acquire Jason Ellison
The Mariners and Giants made a small swap today. The Giants sent 29 year-old outfielder Jason Ellison to Seattle for 24 year-old southpaw starter Travis Blackley.
Ellison has been a Giants lifer, playing all three outfield spots. He’s been a starter, platoon-mate, fourth outfielder, fifth outfielder…you name it. He’s seen a lot of Triple A pitching, and was able to rock it to a .406/.452/.536 tune in 192 ABs last year. He may be able to earn himself a starting job for 2008.
Blackley is a soft-tossing lefty who relies on his changeup. He missed all of ’05 after labrum surgery. He could be a fifth starter option in San Francisco this summer.