The following 40-man roster players have less than five years service time and are out of minor league options. That means they must clear waivers before being sent to the minors, so the team would be at risk of losing them in attempting to do so. I've included players on multiyear deals. This list was compiled through MLBTR's sources. Next, we'll take a look at the NL West.
Diamondbacks: Randall Delgado, Matt Tuiasosopo, Marcos Mateo (Rule 5)
With the Diamondbacks beginning their season on March 22nd in Australia against the Dodgers, both teams will deal with a unique set of roster rules, as outlined by MLB.com's Steve Gilbert last month.
Delgado seems slated for Arizona's bullpen, unless perhaps Bronson Arroyo's bulging disk lands him on the DL. Regarding Tuiasosopo, D'Backs manager Kirk Gibson told Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic yesterday, "He definitely could be a guy that comes into play for us because of his versatility."
The D'Backs took Mateo from the Cubs in December's Rule 5 draft, but with Brad Ziegler, J.J. Putz, David Hernandez, Addison Reed, Josh Collmenter, and Joe Thatcher seemingly locked in, there won't be room for Mateo if Delgado joins the pen. A trade or injury could create a spot. A trade with the Cubs to retain Mateo's rights wouldn't make much sense, as the D'Backs would still have to pass him through waivers to get him to Triple-A.
Dodgers: Scott Elbert, Javy Guerra, Drew Butera
Elbert is on the 60-day DL currently, so he won't be occupying a roster spot. Guerra is "up against it" in trying to make a Dodgers bullpen stacked with veterans, as explained by MLB.com's Ken Gurnick last month. Tim Federowicz is set to back up A.J. Ellis behind the plate, so the Dodgers will probably have to try to pass Butera through waivers.
Giants: David Huff, Joaquin Arias, Gregor Blanco, Yusmeiro Petit, Jean Machi, Ehire Adrianza, Tony Abreu
Yesterday, Matt Kawahara of The Sacramento Bee suggested there are two openings in the Giants' bullpen, assuming Petit makes the group as a long man. Machi will probably take one, but it could be tough for Huff to make the team in a similar role to Petit. Heath Hembree, Derek Law, and Jose De Paula are just a few of the other names in the mix.
There won't be room for both Adrianza and Abreu, as explained by Grant Brisbee of McCovey Chronicles. It seems likely one of them will be traded.
Padres: Cameron Maybin, Eric Stults, Dale Thayer, Yonder Alonso, Rene Rivera, Alex Torres
Unless the Padres decide to carry three catchers, Rivera's shot at making the team depends on Yasmani Grandal's recovery from July knee surgery.
Rockies: Jordan Pacheco, Tyler Chatwood
Pacheco is slated to serve as the backup catcher behind Wilin Rosario, though he had an issue with his shoulder earlier this week. Michael McKenry is in camp to provide some competition for Pacheco.
Giants-I think Hembree controls his own destiny despite having options. He has nothing to prove in AAA , if he pitches well he’s in, IMO. Machi as well- Bochy likes him a lot and he pitched well in 2013. That leaves the long reliever spot. Despite his rough start he still has the inside track but Huff, DePaula and rookie Escobar are now in play.
Yusmeiro Petit has not been impressive at any point in his MLB career outside of a nice month or two with the Giants last year. While I watched the near perfect game with the rest of the Bay Area, I think people are letting that game color their expectations, and I don’t think he’s suddenly turned the corner on his careerlong mediocrity.
Bochy has already said that Petit will not be judged solely by what he does this spring, that his work in Sept will be taken into consideration.
Sure, he has not been impressive before the Giants, but he was a top prospect early in his career, so he has talent. Moreover, the same could be said for Uribe, Torres, Casilla, Blanco, Vogelsong, that they were never that good before they joined the Giants. And as one THT study showed, hitters joining Bochy managed teams had on average a boost of one WAR. He helps brings the best out of players, that is why when I researched one run games, he was the only NL manager during his time to have so many games above 500 that it was statistically significantly to be over 500. On average, his teams have been four games over 500 each season, that is four extra wins per season.
And it is not like we are expecting him to be a front line starter for us, long relievers do not have to leap buildings in a single bound to have good value for a team, relative to other teams that have horrible long relievers.
I would disagree that Petit was a “top prospect” early in his career. A prospect, sure, but never in the elite category. His minor league baseball-reference page says he was ranked the 46th best prospect in 2005 and 69th in 2006, but even then he was dinged for being flyball prone, and that’s held true in the majors — one homer every five(!) innings.
The THT study is interesting but not germane to this conversation. And take that one start out of Petit’s line and it is pretty unimpressive.
He was impressive enough in the last quarter of 2013 to make him the front runner for the long relief/spot starter job for 2014.And aside from Escobar, who would best served to open in Fresno, Petit’s competition is weak.
That’s sad about Delgado. I figured he be a front-line starter for sure.
If the giants keep arias or Abreu over adrianza i will be upset. He’s young plays outstanding defense and draws walks. He’s clearly a better option with his defense youth and low cost compared to the other two that have proven they’re well below replacement.
I totally agree, I would be upset too, but I think too many people think that Abeau has a chance to win the spot.
Just think about it, the Giants have held onto Adrianza for this long, when he finally started hitting, only to dump him based, say, on a lousy spring? And, of course, he has been hot too.
Also, if you look at Arias defensive stats, he is only good at third, while Adrianza is a defensive whiz at SS, and should be great at second and third too. Abreu would be redundant to Arias, a offensive MI utility.
I think it is his position to lose. But the Giants are never just going to hand the job over, he needs to earn it, be motivated to do well. Plus, injuries happen. Or recovery does not come. Look at Scutaro. Heck, look at Abreu last season. Or Frandsen.
So Abreu is insurance in my eyes, cheap insurance, should they cut him, or even trade.
I would prefer Abreu and adrianza over arias and one if the two. Adrianza has the best glove and Abreu has the best bat. Arias just has a few good memories and a bigger contract.
Love this series, lots of good info!
How about an update on this for 2015?