The Royals announced that they designated right-hander Jeremy Jeffress, left-hander Tommy Hottovy and outfielder Jason Bourgeois for assignment. The Royals needed 40-man roster space to claim Guillermo Moscoso and Brett Hayes and reinstate Danny Duffy and Felipe Paulino from the 60-day disabled list.
Jeffress spent most of the 2012 season at Triple-A, where he posted a 4.97 ERA with 9.5 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in 58 innings of relief. Hottovy spent most of the season in the Omaha bullpen with Jeffress. The 31-year-old left-hander posted a 2.52 ERA with 11.0 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 50 innings. Bourgeois appeared in 30 games with Kansas City this past season, posting a .258/.303/.323 batting line in 66 plate appearances.
Let_My_Cameron_Go
It really makes no sense to DFA Jeffress, only to have scrubs like Moscoso and Hayes take up a spot for him. Jeffress actually has a chance…
DerekJeterDan
He was acquired in the Zack Grienke trade, right?
SumatranRatMonkey
Yep.
Let_My_Cameron_Go
Throws in the high ’90s IIRC, but KC really messed with him. Decent bullpen arm, demoted him to Double-A to start, and wasn’t as effective. He should be a nice, cheap pickup…
Shaun Newkirk
He doesn’t have a chance.
Wasn’t good in the majors, and had off field drug problems. (tested positive twice I believe for marijuana)
While it doesn’t make sense claiming the other guys, Jeffress was probably the most expendable reliever on the team.
davbee
I hope he goes back to Milwaukee. He looked fine there. Don’t know what happened to him in KC, but it sounds like they really screwed around with him.
Shaun Newkirk
He smoked drugs in Milwaukee as well.
davbee
I’m talking about his pitching, not his drug use. Before he went to KC he was showing promise as a hard throwing reliever. In KC they tried to make him into a starter and messed around with his mechanics. Doesn’t matter–he went to the Blue Jays today.
Daniel Wesley
He can’t throw strikes. KC didn’t do anything that prevented him from not walking a mountain of batters.
Guest 4063
I don’t think they can be claimed by other teams. I am sure they still have options left which would force them to accept the assignment.
Let_My_Cameron_Go
Not if you DFA him. Every team has a chance. If no one wants you, then you can report to Triple-A (your assignment) or refuse it, become a free agent, and terminate your contract…
Ryan Winkel
Jeffress had no options left. It was either DFA, trade him, or put him on the roster for next year.
Tyler Andula
I don’t like losing Jeffress or Hottovy here. This is a head scratcher. Even if they don’t plan on Jeffress or Hottovy being in the bullpen to start the season they are nice stop gaps if someone gets hurt. Hottovy is worth hanging on to just because he’s a lefty with a pulse. Could be a nice Loogy for a team if he can find the strike zone. Plus he’s a local guy so it’s a bit disappointing on that level as well.
Todd Schroeder
KC’s bullpen is so talented and deep that they couldn’t find room for Jeffress or Hottovy on the 40 man? Wow! Both could be nice MLFA signs for a team better than KC
Daniel Wesley
Jeffress can’t throw strikes and is destined to be a AAA closer. Hottovy will definitely land somewhere, though.
Danny Tanner
Actually, yes – they are that talented and deep. And young too, all the guys they have will be around for a while.
Bobby Sweet
I would like to see the Red Sox claim Jeffress and see if Farrell can fix him. They need all the pitching they can get.
popular_mechanics_for_pitchers
cubs?
SpfldCynic
This is the one area KC really does have depth to spare. Neither of these guys would be a factor barring multiple injuries, so letting them occupy 40 man spots made no sense.