26-year-old infielder Brandon Wood was designated for assignment late Tuesday by the Angels, and there is "zero chance of him clearing waivers," tweets USA Today's Bob Nightengale. He'd be a fit for many clubs at shortstop or third base, as I outlined here, but he's more likely to land with a club that can give him some leeway to struggle in the Majors. Claims are due in by noon eastern time today, reports Colin Dunlap of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The latest:
- The Blue Jays "expressed interest in trading for Wood as recently as this offseason," according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, so they could be interested now.
- The Pirates will "almost surely" place a claim, tweets Dunlap. They have first dibs, as 2010 records are used within the first 30 days of this season to determine waiver order. The team's 40-man roster is currently full, so they'll either have to designate someone for assignment or put someone on the 60-day DL if they win a claim on Wood. Keep in mind that claims might not come into play if a team simply trades for Wood.
- Brewers GM Doug Melvin told MLB.com's Adam McCalvy (Twitter link) that his team discussed going after Wood, but demurred since Milwaukee has no spot for him. I named the Brewers as one potential candidate for Wood yesterday.
As long as we don’t have to give up a top prospect I’m all for giving Wood a shot in Pittsburgh. Even if he doesn’t hit but plays major league caliber defense he’d be an upgrade.
Ya he’d be a perfect for the Bucs because his career batting average is way below the Mendoza line. Maybe the Angels would take Doumit in trade.
Another replacement level catcher. Just what the Angels need.
The point was all he’s good for is a DH. Doumit doesn’t have a defensive position.
Aren’t DHs supposed to be good hitters?
Doumit is only slightly above average…
.729 OPS From 2009-2011…
While their current DH, Abreu, had a .787 OPS Last year…
I must be missing something here…
No way that Wood nets the Angels a top prospect. Reagins is probably the only GM that would be willing to make that kind of trade.
in your dreams. go check what rivera is doing.
Vernon Wells looks so much more impressive.
Wood and Wells to Toronto for a Carlos Delgado autographed jersey
I don’t know if that is true. They literally gave away Jim Negrych, Zack Duke and Josh Fields, and soon Doumit for nothing in return (or close to it). I bet the Mets or Twins would have loved a package deal that would have included at least Jim right now. So why now Wood for Maholm or McCutchen? I can oddly see that happening with all of the other GM’s shaking their heads in disbelief.
Negrych, Duke, and Fields had close to zero trade value at the time they were dealt. It’s no surprise that the Pirates got little for them.
Ryan Doumit has low trade value due to his poor defense at catcher, a mediocre bat at any position besides catcher, and reputation as a brittle, easily injured player. Exactly what caliber of player do you think is reasonable in return for Doumit?
And I wouldn’t even trade Dan McCutchen for Brandon Wood.
Yup. Andrew McCutchen…Jim Negrych. Pretty much the same player.
Nationals should snatch him up!
Zimmerman, Desmond, and Espinosa… why bother with Wood? Someone will likely be willing to give up a little more in order to acquire him as an everyday player.
Because Desmond is a butcher in the field?
They could pick him up and try him at 1B, but they do already have LaRoche.
At this point, he actually has some defensive value at 3B, but at 1B that would likely be a big minus for the Nats.
He’s a lot better than Brandon Hicks. Braves should put in a claim.
A part of me would like to see the braves put in a claim. He could serve as Chippers eventual replacement. The only issue for me is that I think he needs to go to a team that can get him consistent playing time (450+ AB’s). Don’t think he would get anywhere near that in Atlanta.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I hope the Twins don’t ever allow him to get to the Pirates. Their crappy record in the AL gives them nearly first crack at him. I’d rather at least have someone who’s had success SOMEWHERE in his career than Matt Tolbert and Alexi Casilla.
Good call actually. He still has some level of potential, and his current production is at the same level as Casilla. Whe
isn’t it based on last years final standings, not the current standings?
Ah good call. It’s a weird rule, because it’s only for the season’s first month. After that, then current season standings apply. Forgot about that. Baseball is weird.
Also, how do trades work in regards to DFA…Can the Angels only work out a trade with the first team that claims him on waivers – or are they still free to work out a trade with any team, regardless of waiver priority? I’m assuming they aren’t limited in the teams they can trade him too.
Nevermind. Saw my question answered below.
The NHL runs the exact same way. I’m willing to bet the NBA and NFL do as well. Using the previous years standings gives a better reflection of where teams are as opposed to tiny sample sizes from the current year.
Agree. The potential offensive upside of Wood exceeds that of Casilla or Tolbert. Even if Wood never lives up to the expectations he is still no worse than either Casilla or Tolbert.
Can he play 2B? Mets?
2nd is the only position in the infield he has not played, I have no idea why anyone would want to add this guy to their team he is a below average defender he strike at a horrid rate, rarely walks and has shown no sign of putting together anything at any point over the last 4 years. Are teams really this desperate.
he was a top rated prospect, hit 43 HR’s in one year in the minors
and to date only has 500 MLB plate appearances to his name.. Thats less than one full season..
Baseball is all about potential and this guy has a lot of it
In answer to your question, yes, there are teams really that desperate, and the Mets are one of them.
Look at Neil Walker, this time last year he was pretty much a washed up former prospect who’d never even made it to the major league level. Now, he is a useful major leaguer.
For a team like the Mets, who have no one at all to play 2B, and who have to spend this season trying to find some useful, affordable players for the next couple of years, why not grab a guy like this and give him a couple of hundred AB’s?
I guess but I know one thing I have seen him play in the majors against the Indians and he looked aweful at all levels in the major Defense and offense and I can give you a list of guys who never made it or did blossom until after their 30th birthday and put up ungodly numbers in the minors.
The Indians have had several of those guys in the past.
couldnt be worse than emaus(i know hes gone)/Murphy/Turner so why not?
i was asking the angels’ people to trade him to the pirates and others not because they are bad teams but because they may be better at developing young talents.
Wow. I would hate to be a fan of any team that is worse than the pirates in that regard.
I don’t think the waiver order matters because the Angels can trade him to another club. I think.
They may work out a trade ONLY with the team that wins the waiver claim (worst team has priority). Or they could simply let him go to that team in a claim or lastly pull him back & keep him on the 25 man roster. If he were to go unclaimed, they could reassign him to the minors but as stated, the chance of that is slim.
no thats wrong, right now they can trade him to who they want..
He hasn’t been placed on waivers yet, they have 10 days to try to work out a deal
My bad, yes you are correct. Reading too many articles at once.
I think you are thinking of waiver trades after the trade deadline.
if wood can somehow modify his swing a little bit he could be a monster. he needs to shorten his stance and relax more in the box.
I understand Wood has potential, but to hear some people talk, he’s proven he can help at the major league level. It makes some sense for a terrible team like the Pirates or Mets to claim him to see if he can do anything, but a contending team would be out of their minds to give Wood a 25-man roster spot right now. 71 strikeouts to 6 walks last year and no hint of power at this level? Jeezer
Agree. A “win now” team can’t gamble on him finally figuring it out. But if he can field his position at SS, Pittsburgh could hardly go wrong by replacing Ronny Cedeno (.170/.217/.189).
Milwaukee needs him if he can play ss everyday….
reds should give him a shot, cincy has revived many of careers lately
no for so many reasons
Those reasons are what? He is no different than Juan Fransisco, who is on the big league roster, besides the side of the plate he hits on. He also is more athletic and a better fielder.
because the Reds are a playoff competitive team in the NL
you already have 1 hole in the lineup with the pitcher batting.. can the team really afford to give Brandon Wood 500 AB’s and hope he figures it out??
a non competitive team that can be patient with him and let him play.. other wise leaving him on the bench isn’t going to do him any good
Hope the Twins pick him up… He would be an upgrade given our middle infield situation.
Who wouldn’t be?
Sad but so true.
Stephen Hawking probably wouldn’t be… Note that I say “probably.”
I think your still giving Casilla, Tolbert, and Hughes too much credit
I’d rather package a deal and get Mr. Jose Reyes.
The Dodgers need to get him. I still think he has good potential and the Dodgers could use a power-hitting infielder.
Reds have 2 SS that are better than him, why would they want him?
Don’t the Reds need a bat boy?
Jays.
release Rivera, release/trade Nix, EE full time DH, trade for Wood and make him full time 3B. If he doesn’t pan out, you have Lawrie coming. That way we never have to see EE play the field and never have to see Nix swing at every pitch.
add to that Hill’s nagging hamstring, and its definetely a move I hope AA pulls off
Casey Janssen for Brandon Wood
Release Rivera.
How are the Angels for LH releif? Jojo for Wood? One optionless for another? not enough?
I was thinking the same thing. I think the Angels need bullpen help and the Jays have an over load of it so it could be a fit.
They have Scott Downs, but I think he’s still injured?
I think they would prefer Janssen because he can go multiple innings and is a credible major leaguer (with minor league options)
Jo Jo hasn’t proven anything and has no options left.
Scott Downs is healthy now. The Angels also have Hisanori Takahashi in the bullpen. But the Angels could always use more left handed pitching.
They traded away Skaggs and Corbin, so all the Angels have is Trevor Reckling for left handed pitching in the minor levels.
Agree 110%…
And maybe Murphy can do for Wood what he did for Bautista. I think the Jays have a more aggressive type approach which I think would be a good fit for Wood. If they are able to straighten him out they could always move Lawrie back to second and then not pick up Hill’s options down the line.
I hate the idea of pinballing Lawrie from one position to the next, but it might actually work. Hechavaria isn’t hitting in the minors, so there is no 2B prospect knocking on the door.
Lawrie wouldn’t be going back to second, he was moved to third for a reason. If they do work something out for Wood I would see them putting him at third until Lowrie comes up and then maybe trying Wood out at second if Hill gets hurt, again.
Lawrie could easily move back to second base.
with Hill’s options looming, I wouldnt be surprised if they did move him back to 2B and declined both of Hill’s options .. it would depend on the rest of Hill’s season
I disagree with Lawrie moving back to second. He was terrible defensively there, something like 25 errors last year. Even though he has struggled at third this year defensively, it looks like he is staying there for good because of his range issues at second. There is a reason that he was moved there to begin with and some scouts have even said that he will end up in the outfield so I don’t see a return to second.
Range issues at second?
State your source…
Only issues I’ve heard were his tendency to rush his throws leading to errors.
assumptiongraphs
Rushing throws is what people say is causing Encarnacion’s errors.
Are throwing errors something you can coach away?
its foot work, can be taught to a good athlete.
A sports therapist would help EE more then an on field coach, but, yes it is possible(not likely) you could get him to calm down and just throw the ball instead of hyper-ventilating once it hits his glove.
You mean a lot of errors for a kid playing a brand new position isn’t common in the minors? Hell, Hechevarria had 20 errors last season and he’s a wizard with the glove.
I wouldn’t mind seeing him at Citi. These are exactly the kind of guys I would target if I was a GM: prospects declared busts far to early. He hasn’t even had a full seasons worth of at bats!
Having Wood for 2B would block one of my favorites in Murphy, but he can always be sent to the minors and I’m not so sure he’ll be a full time starter anyway; more likely a poor man’s Mark DeRosa. Plus, if the Mets trade Reyes or Wright (it would break my heart but it might be necessary), Wood could slide right in and perhaps finally realize his potential.
TL;DR — Mets should snag him if they can.
Wood has never played 2B.
If he can manage SS, he can manage 2B.
In general:
SS can manage 2B, 3B
2B can manage 3B, 1B
3B can manage 1B (sometimes 2B)
You have never played baseball I assume
I did for several years, though now I play Lacrosse.
This formula generally holds true, but can change based on the player. But why do you think so many SS specs wind up at 2B or 3B? Because those positions require similar skills but with slightly less proficiency (less range, shorter throw at 2B, no DP’s at 3B).
I did and still do play baseball and what he said does have some truth to it. Why do you think it does not?
That’s right. Not even in the minors. Wood has only played with himself.
If he makes it to waivers, the Pirates will claim him.
Since I hate the Twins I would Love to seem them get Brandon Wood! He’s not as horrible as Punto and Casilla unfortunately but his inability to hit major league pitching should fit in well in Minnesota.
Ouch. The truth does hurt. Gardenhire does love middle infielders who can’t hit a lick.
Haha sorry for the hatred but I live in uneducated Twins country where some Twins fans tried to convince me that Casilla and Punto were good middle infielders and Liriano was a Cy Young Candidate last year lol. Twins have some solid players and well probably figure it out this season and be in the playoff hunt but having a good infield outside of Mauer and Morneau just isn’t their style and hasn’t been for a while.
At least Punto was a good fielder. Casilla would be a good fielding second basemen, but he doesn’t have the arm for shortstop. Everytime he throws to first its always at the firstbasemen’s feet… or worse. Liriano could have been a Cy Young candidate if he had more wins or if he could lower his walk rates, but that’s never gonna happen.
Liriano WAS a Cy Young candidate last year.
Punto was an overrated fielder and only decent in my book. Most people think he was good due to them seeing his “Web Gems.”
Casilla absolutely has the arm for shortstop are you kidding me? He has a very strong throwing arm and most of his throws are right into Morneau/Cuddy’s chest. How about you watch a Twins game.
14-10 with a 3.62 ERA does not make a Cy Young candidate. And clearly you haven’t been watching Casilla, because he already cost a game with an error against Oakland. It wasn’t all his fault because the Twins didn’t score any runs, but it was the only run of the game and it was with two outs so it should have ended the inning. Also, I have watched many Twins games and I don’t appreciate your attitude.
Red Sox could use him, we got a lot of OF depth but no 3rd base depth expect for Jed and he’s only played a handful of games over there.
can he catch?
-T. Epstein
The Yankees should take him to replace Ben Tuliebitz.
Would the phillies consider brandon Wood?
He honestly cant be much worse than Valdez.
Isnt Valdez hitting almost .300?
Valdez is 32 and has hit his ceiling. As starting 2B go, he’s a great utility INF.
.286 which isnt too shabby ill admit but his fielding leaves much to be desired. He drops simple fly balls, misplays ground balls, out of position for throws, and generally soft. Hes not a good baserunner, doesnt have any power, and hes not the type of player you can ask to do something, ie hit and run or drop a bunt, and be fairly confident he can get you the desired outcome.
Wood, on the other hand, is more of your prototypical prospect. good arm, shows ability to hit for both power and average – 2005 popped 43 hr and hit .321. He progressed through the minor leagues and was consistant therein, but just never turned in on in the majors.
From the Phils POV is makes perfect sense. busted ex prospect infielder. You have the opportunity to take a shot on a former blue chipper. He will get adequate bats for his “shot” filling in for utley. The phils have the pitching and the offense to insulate him without doing much, if any, damage to the W-L record. If he can turn the corner the phils will be primed, if not, guys like valdez are a dime a dozen.
Wood a consideration or Phili
The phillies should definitely look to trade for wood. Get his swing right and slide Polly to 2b.
padres could use someone at first or at third then put headley at first, not sure how wood’s defense is nowadays?
Padres can take Mathis or Wilson too (preferably Mathis)
I absolutely do NOT want to see the Pirates to trade for Wood if it means giving up anything more valuable than a bag of baseballs, or if it requires a 40-man roster spot.
Wood’s 43 HR season in the minors was a total fluke of the league he played in. As much as I hate to say this, I’d rather see the Cedeno/JRod experiment continue at SS, for the next few months anyway.
Unfortunately, I think with the AB’s they’ve given to J-Rod, his days are numbered. Maybe they can swing a deal with the Indians to keep him. If they keep him a AAA, what position would he play? The roster is packed down there too. However, I think their best bet is to send a pitcher down and keep J-Rod on the major league roster. As for Wood, he should be the starter and have Cedeno as the utility guy (as he did in Chicago).
Well, there goes my hope that he’d wind up on the Mets.
Don’t worry. In the future, with their new finance situation, you will see many AAA players and Rule V picks join the Mets. The question is, where will Santana, Wright, and Reyes be traded to?
Can the Pirates put Alvarez on the 60-day DL? His hitting is ‘hurting.’ What is the medical diagnosis for that?
Did you see the box score from last night? Alvarez indeed got off to a slow start, but last night he really put the ‘hurt’ on Marlins pitching.
Very stupid post. The prescription for “hurting” hitting is at bats, not inactivity.
I wonder if Wood will join the likes of Iwamura, Vazquez, Burnitz, and Benito Santiago in Pirate awfulness.