Here are today’s minor moves from around the league…
- The Brewers announced yesterday (via Twitter) that they’ve traded right-hander Chris Leroux to the Phillies in exchange for cash considerations. Leroux, 31, is a veteran of parts of six big league seasons and owns a career 6.03 ERA in the Majors. While he’s allowed his fair share of runs in 71 2/3 Major League innings and averaged 4.4 walks per nine, Leroux has also averaged 8.3 K/9 with a 48.9 percent ground-ball rate.
- The Cubs announced today that veteran first baseman/outfielder Mike Baxter’s contract has been selected from Triple-A Iowa. The team also recalled Junior Lake from Iowa and activated Tsuyoshi Wada from the disabled list in a series of moves that saw Welington Castillo traded to Seattle, Phil Coke designated for assignment and righty Brian Schlitter optioned to Triple-A. The 30-year-old Baxter is a career .225/.331/.342 hitter in 423 big league plate appearances — most of which came with the Mets. As far as Triple-A production, Baxter has slashed a strong .286/.367/.452 in more than 1800 PAs.
The only position that the Phillies don’t need anymore depth in, is the bullpen.
Leroux is so unlucky. 6.03 ERA but a 3.32 FIP.
And so the long rebuild begins… lol.
Mike Baxter, remembered fondly by Mets fans for his great catch on the warning track in the 7th inning of Johan Santana’s no-hitter. Hurt his shoulder crashing into the wall, if I recall correctly, and was having a pretty decent season up to that point. If the statistical Replacement OF had a baseball card, his face could be on it.