The A's released catcher Landon Powell, the team announced. Powell had been outrighted off of the 40-man roster in January and was in camp as a non-roster player. The 29-year-old SFX client is now a free agent.
Powell has a .207/.284/.328 line in 406 plate appearances over the course of three seasons with the Athletics. He has played some first base, but spent most of his time behind the plate. Just 60% of stolen base attempts against Powell have been successful since 2009.
The A's had agreed to terms with Powell on a one-year $620K salary via arbitration earlier in the offseason. They owe him one sixth of that figure — approximately $103K — even though they cut him. John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle first reported the news.
WOW… I thought that even though he wasn’t on the 40-man roster he still had the inside track to win the back up job. I respect Powell. He’ll find another job.
He will sign with Red Sox
Can he pitch?
No why?
lol I see you’re new to posting here (unless you’re someone with a different user name)
I expect at a 40% caught stealing rate that he has a powerful arm. Could he not become a relief pitcher?
Yeah he can be the Setup man for Bailey.
There’s more to it that just a strong arm — good instincts, good footwork, quick throwing motion, etc. Plus, despite the success of folks like Sergio Santos it’s not just an easy switch to flip from being a position player to pitcher.
I kinda get the move, but this just feeds into the meme that the A’s are a cheap organization.
They always do this with backup catchers… so A’s fans arent surprised… they keep them around for a while then look for someone else.
i’m pretty happy about this move, landon can’t stay healthy, and it clears (a little) a backlog of catchers at the upper minors.
this is irrelevant to be being cheap. they dfa’d months ago, yet went unclaimed. donaldson (if he doesnt win 3b job) and recker are more than capable backup catchers. i was pulling for powell, had a 2 acl injuries in minors and still made the majors, but durability and lack of playing time were issues
It seems to make sense. The pitchers loved throwing to Powell. Last year the A’s were 18-12 in games he caught. The pitchers that did well are gone, (Gio, Cahill, Bailey) so Powell should go too.
there’s also the whole thing about him not being healthy at all, unfortunately he’ll never be able to hold a starting job because of his knees (ryan sweeney syndrome)
Facts are that he regularly caught 5-6 games/ in AAA in 2008, and again in 2010 during the first part of the season in AAA and again last year at the end of the season in AAA. He never was given an opportunity to catch more than a game a week in the big leagues. He’s always been a durable guy but he didn’t need to be too durable to catch 5 games/month. I think he could have caught a little more than he did and he would have probably hit a little better. Also Suzuki would have probably played better if he’d had a little more rest.
Too bad about Powell, but he has bad wheels.
sorry to hear about powell. i have followed since his time as south carolina always liked him as a player. he will find a job somewhere im sure
he will sign with another team by the end of the day
I’d like to see the Rockies to pick this guy up and let Rosario spend 2012 in AAA.
The Mets could use another catcher in the system.
Didn’t Powell catch Braden’s perfect game?
Yep!
I have never posted on this site before, but would someone please explain to me how releasing Powell makes any sense?? Durability is not a problem – he only plays every 5 or 6 games. From what I understand all of their best pitchers wanted him to catch them (Braden – yes, perfect game, Cahill, and Gio). Of course, in true Oakland fashion they trade all of their pitching talent (besides an injured Braden) and are starting over with unproven, young guys. So, it would make sense in the offseason to resign a veteran catcher who pitchers like to throw to and as noted above HAVE HAD SUCCESS throwing to…think about it…with one of the WORST rosters in all of MLB the A’s were 6 games OVER .500 in games Powell caught!! That cannot be a coincidence. So, Powell shows up for spring training, has the highest batting average of the 7 catchers there after 3 games and they stop playing him after March 5th and release him March 9th. How does this makes sense? How can anyone cheer for the Oakland A’s?? They seem to work as hard at losing as the top teams work at winning. It is pathetic. I hope Powell goes to a club that actually cares about winning so that he can have that experience for once. Hopefully, this is the best thing that ever happened to him.
Dbacks will gladly pick him up for depth.
you do realize he couldn’t hit or stay healthy right? and we have pretty much his equivilant in anthony recker, who might even be better. he would’ve also blocked derek norris in AAA.
landon powell pretty much had no spot on the roster anymore, and yes it was coincidence that the a’s just happened to win when he was catching. if a team wins 10-9 and the starting pitcher gives up 6 runs, is that also on the catcher? because it’s still a win in the books… basing a catcher on wins is like basing a pitcher on his wins, 99% useless, cause it’s a team thing, not a catcher’s thing.
the only thing he had going for him was a good throwing arm, but what use is it if he’s on the dl most of the time? this release was a long time coming
It makes a ton of sense. The A’s have Recker, Donaldson and Norris coming soon. He was 2-6 this spring. That’s too small of a sample. So is the 6 games over .500. I cheer for the Oakland A’s because I’d rather see a young kid like Recker play once a week than watch Powell try to leg out an outfield single. I like what the A’s have done this offseason, but wish they got a little more for Bailey.
I got $10 on the fact that you are a Powell family member. I have always liked Powell but he just was never able to stay healthy and put up the numbers offensively he was projectived for as a first round draft pick. Hopefully he signs with someone soon. Anyone that actually follows the A’s knows that this was bound to happen especially after he was DFA’d and it is Recker’s backup job to lose now. With Galarraga, Norris and possibly Ryan Ortiz in AAA there was no room for him. I have no doubt that he will find a job somewhere so there is no need to freak out about it. Not many players can hold down a backup catcher role for more than three years. Its amazing to see someone so worked up about releasing a 28 year old back up catcher.
Well, Matt, at least then he would live in Phoenix instead having to live in one of the worst majors cities in the country.
Snoochies – Powell, tore both acls in the minor leagues but has had no time on the dl in 3 major league seasons. Any time he has ever gotten consistent plate appearances he hits very well. Recker is the same age and has not impressed so he is no improvement for the long term. And Norris?? He has never been above AA so he’s not gonna be in the big leagues. Bottom line is, this move hurts the possibility of developing the A’s young staff and Suzuki will start tons of games, play average at best defense, and because he plays such a demanding position his offensive numbers will drop once again – for like the 4 straight season. If you are truly an A’s fan I think your only hope is for them to change ownership. The owners aren’t interested in giving you good baseball.
Amen Brother!
Cool name bro. You are da coolest.
Yankees?