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Zac Rosscup

Mariners Sign Zac Rosscup

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The Mariners announced Thursday that they’ve signed left-handed reliever Zac Rosscup to a one-year, Major League contract. The team’s 40-man roster is now up to a total of 38 players.

“When healthy, Zac has swing-and-miss stuff, which has translated at all levels,” general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement accompanying today’s announcement. “We look forward to seeing what he can do with good health and real opportunity.”

Rosscup, 30, has indeed demonstrated proficiency in missing bats throughout his career, averaging 11 strikeouts per nine innings in the minors and averaging 11.9 K/9 in 65 2/3 frames at the MLB level. He’s also posted a strong 14.2 percent swinging-strike rate in his MLB career, and though he’s totaled just 18 innings over the past two seasons, those 2017-18 campaigns have been particularly interesting. Rosscup has dramatically increased the usage of his slider in that time, resulting in an eye-catching 30-to-4 K/BB ratio in that time. He’s pushed his swinging-strike rate beyond the 18 percent threshold and his opponents’ chase rate past 37 percent in that small sample of work.

Of course, as Dipoto alluded to, the real question with Rosscup is one of health. Over the past four seasons he’s missed time due to blister issues, a calf injury and multiple instances of shoulder inflammation — one of which resulted in surgery that cost him the entire 2016 season. Rosscup managed just 21 1/3 innings between the minor leagues and the majors this past season and 49 total innings the year prior.

Clearly, there’s ample injury risk as pertains to the lefty, but his ability to generate whiffs is, at the same time, genuinely intriguing. He also still has just three years, 164 days of Major League service time, meaning if he manages to carve out a role in the Seattle bullpen, he can be controlled through the 2021 season via the arbitration process. The Mariners’ bullpen has been thinned out dramatically this winter following trades of Edwin Diaz, James Pazos, Alex Colome and Juan Nicasio as well as the outrighting of Erasmo Ramirez and Nick Vincent. Given that mass exodus of relievers orchestrated by Dipoto & Co., Rosscup should have a fairly straightforward opportunity to prove himself a capable relief option.

Dodgers Release Erik Goeddel, Zac Rosscup

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The Dodgers released right-hander Erik Goeddel and left-hander Zac Rosscup, tweets Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. Both pitchers were designated for assignment earlier this week as the Dodgers worked to set their 40-man roster before the deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft.

Goeddel, 30 next month, quietly enjoyed a nice year split between the Mariners and Dodgers, pitching to a combined 2.95 ERA with 10.8 K/9, 4.9 BB/9, 1.0 HR/9 and a 44.8 percent ground-ball rate in 36 2/3 innings of work. He also did an excellent job of limiting hard contact (23.3 percent, per Statcast) while posting a swinging-strike rate (15.8 percent) and a chase rate (37.4 percent) that were vastly better than the league average (10.7 percent and 30.9 percent, respectively).

That said, Goeddel’s control was clearly a problem, as he walked 20 batters, hit another and threw three wild pitches in those 36 2/3 frames. Goeddel also posted below-average spin rates on both his four-seamer and his curveball, and he was projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn $900K in his first winter of arbitration eligibility. Any team adding Goeddel would have the ability to control him through the 2021 season.

The 30-year-old Rosscup was claimed off waivers out of the Rockies organization in July and pitched 11 1/3 innings out of the L.A. ’pen thereafter. He was tagged for six earned runs in that time but also posted a terrific 20-to-4 K/BB ratio in that time. Rosscup, who threw his slider at a 50 percent clip in this year’s small sample of work, posted a massive 19.5 percent swinging-strike rate and a 37.9 percent chase rate. However, he also yielded a 43.5 percent hard-hit rate (via Statcast).

Rosscup has overwhelmed lefties throughout his career, holding same-handed opponents to a .138/.266/.275 slash. On the other side of the coin, righties have utterly clobbered him, hitting .317/.389/.634 in parts of five big league seasons. Like Goeddel, he has three-plus years of big league service and can technically be controlled through the 2021 seasons by any organization that adds him.

Dodgers Designate Erik Goeddel, Release Tom Koehler

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The Dodgers announced today that they have designated three players: righty Erik Goeddel, lefty Zac Rosscup, and infielder/outfielder Tim Locastro. Meanwhile, the club released right-hander Tom Koehler, who signed with the club as a free agent last winter but was arbitration-eligible.

Those moves helped create space for new additions to the 40-man roster. Notable prospects Keibert Ruiz and Yadier Alvarez were selected, along with infielders Matt Beaty and Edwin Rios as well as right-hander Josh Sborz.

Goeddel, who’s a month from his 30th birthday, was rather effective last year after several tough campaign. He worked to a 2.95 ERA in 36 2/3 innings with the Mariners and (mostly) Dodgers. Goeddel racked up 44 strikeouts but also issued twenty walks.

Those productive innings were expected to come from Koehler, who signed a $2MM deal last winter but ended up being sidelined all year due to injury. His season ended with shoulder surgery, so he’ll be looking for a place to rebuild value in 2019.

Rosscup has bounced around in recent years and has never yet entrenched himself in the majors. He did record twenty strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings for the Dodgers in 2018, but also coughed up three homers and six earned runs. As for Locastro, he has posted strong numbers at the plate in the minors over the past two years but has received scant MLB opportunity. He could appeal to teams that are looking for versatility, as he has plenty of experience playing up the middle on both the infield dirt and the outfield grass.

Dodgers Claim Zac Rosscup, Designate Edward Paredes

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The Dodgers announced today that they have claimed lefty Zac Rosscup off waivers from the Rockies. In a corresponding move, the club designated fellow southpaw Edward Paredes for assignment.

Rosscup, 30, racked up ten strikeouts without a walk in seven frames last year in Colorado, but had yet to reach the majors this year while working back from finger troubles. He has been effective in limited action at Triple-A, allowing just one earned run on four hits while registering nine strikeouts against three walks in 8 1/3 innings.

The 31-year-old Paredes, meanwhile, managed an 8:2 K/BB ratio but also allowed five runs in his 7 2/3 frames in the majors this year. He has also experienced some walk problems at the Triple-A level, however, issuing 15 free passes in 18 frames.

Rockies Option Ryan McMahon, Select Contract Of Daniel Castro

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The Rockies announced Tuesday that they’ve selected the contract of infielder Daniel Castro from Triple-A Albuquerque and optioned first baseman Ryan McMahon to Albuquerque in his place. To open a spot on the 40-man roster for Castro, lefty Zac Rosscup was moved from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

It’s been an ugly start to the season for the 23-year-old McMahon, who entered the year heralded as one of baseball’s best prospects but has been used sparingly in a crowded mix of position players in Denver. In 60 plate appearances over the life of 28 games, McMahon has batted just .180/.317/.200.

McMahon looked to be in line for regular at-bats before Colorado’s late and somewhat puzzling deal to bring Carlos Gonzalez back into the fold. That signing pushed Ian Desmond from the outfield back to the infield and cut into McMahon’s playing time substantially. He’ll be in line for regular at-bats down in Triple-A, where he he laid waste to opposing pitchers with a .374/.411/.612 batting line in 2017, as he looks to get his swing back on track.

Castro, meanwhile, will step into the infield mix and provide depth at multiple spots. The 25-year-old hit .217/.250/.265 in 239 plate appearances for the 2015-16 Braves but has enjoyed a productive run with Colorado’s Triple-A affiliate dating back to Opening Day 2017. Castro is primarily a middle infielder and should help to cover for the short-term loss of DJ LeMahieu, who went on the disabled list yesterday. He also has experience at third base should a brief need arise for any reason.

Rockies Acquire Zac Rosscup From Cubs For Matt Carasiti

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The Rockies and Cubs have announced a swap of pitchers, with the Rockies adding the southpaw Zac Rosscup out of DFA limbo. Heading to Chicago in return is right-hander Matt Carasiti.

The 29-year-old Rosscup will provide Colorado with a potential lefty specialist. Over his career, he has struggled against righties (and with his command) while dominating opposing lefties to the tune of a .162/.303/.284 slash. He has spent most of the current season at Triple-A, posting 17 strong appearances there (12.7 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, 2.60 ERA).

It’ll be interesting to see if there are any near-term roster moves from Colorado that help explain the move. The club already has two power, late-inning lefties in the pen in Jake McGee and Mike Dunn, though the latter has been hit hard. And converted starter Chris Rusin, another southpaw, continues to post excellent numbers in a relief role.

As for Carasiti, 25, he lost his MLB roster spot after making his debut last year. He hasn’t been called back to the majors in 2017, but has been awfully impressive at Triple-A. Over 30 1/3 innings, he owns a 2.37 ERA with 12.8 K/9 against 3.9 BB/9.

Cubs Designate Zac Rosscup For Assignment

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The Cubs have designated left-hander Zac Rosscup for assignment, the team announced to reporters (Twitter link via CSN Chicago’s Patrick Mooney). Rosscup’s DFA will open a spot on the 40-man roster for outfielder Mark Zagunis, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Iowa today.

Rosscup, 29, made just one appearance for the Cubs this season and recorded two outs. However, he logged a fairly significant amount of time with the club from 2013-15 and has totaled 47 1/3 innings as a member of the Chicago ’pen dating back to that 2013 season. In that time, the former 28th-round pick owns a 5.32 ERA with 10.8 K/9 against 6.1 BB/9. Rosscup has had his share of troubles against right-handed opponents (.287/.384/.611), but he’s been very good against left-handed opponents, limiting them to a terrible .162/.303/.284 batting line in 90 career plate appearances.

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