The Padres have designated outfielder Rymer Liriano for assignment, the club announced. His roster spot goes to Alexei Ramirez, whose signing was announced today.
Liriano, 24, once rated as one of the game’s fifty or so best prospects. But he’s now lost his 40-man spot after only one brief and disappointing MLB cameo in 2014.
Heading into 2015, Baseball America still considered Liriano a top-ten organizational prospect, noting his impressive raw tools but limitations at the plate. Liriano went on to put up a solid .280/.375/.451 batting line (with 14 home runs and 18 steals) over 549 plate appearances in his first full season at Triple-A. He also posted a personal-best 11.7% walk rate, though he continued to strike out in about a quarter of his plate appearances.
That showing was apparently not enough to convince the Pads that Liriano has much of a future in the majors. It seems plausible to think that other organizations might see some upside left to tap into, though it obviously remains to be seen whether any will be willing to give him a 40-man spot to find out.
While the Padres’ offseason may not yet be complete, Liriano had figured to factor in the outfield mix this season. Indeed, it appeared that he and Rule 5 pick Jabari Blash (among others) might battle for a roster spot in camp. Both would have had to make the active roster to be retained. Liriano was added to the 40-man before the 2012 season, which would suggest that he had burned through a fourth option last year.
He should be pick up by someone
I think he will get claimed before reaching them, but I would like the Angels to place a claim. This is exactly the low cost, young type OF-er that would be great for them. I would sacrifice someone on the 40 man for him… like Rey Navarro
Brewers could use a centerfielder
agreed, and say farwell to Shane Petersen in the process.
I doubt he gets past the fifth highest waivers. Former top prospect who had a very solid season at AAA is guaranteed a spot on someone’s 40 man.
Billy Beane is drooling right now, this guy screams an A’s acquisition.
I doubt he clears waivers but he is out of options so a claiming team would have to carry him on the Major League roster or put him on waivers again.
Go get him Braves
Agreed, wanted Braves to get him in the trade over Mallex Smith.
Seems like he could be a top target for the Reds especially if they move Bruce.
I was thinking a Liriano plus a couple of lower tier pitching prospects for Bruce plus cash made some sense. Preller was rumored to have interest in him last year. If he has a good year would make a nice QO candidate and could fill in nicely has LF platoon and give Kemp a nice defensive sub in RF.
Yeah I think Preller packages him in a deal the next day or two to get something back for him. You never see Preller just cut or get rid of guys for “free” basically. He knows there is some interest around the league in Liriano and he will get something in return. That’s for sure.
Not much Preller has done has made any sense yet. Why start with Liriano?
As a Pads fan, I just don’t understand why the club refuses to give Liriano a shot. If he can play CF, bring him up. See what he can do. Same holds for LF really. If he ultimately goes, I wish him well and I hope he succeeds.
They should have given Liriano a shot last season, but Preller decided to go with out of place and over priced fielders.
I could see us adding another left-handed pitcher that can compete for a rotation/bullpen spot. I like the Reds being someone who would give Liriano consistent playing time.
Reds get:
Rymer Liriano
Alexi Amarista
Padres get:
Tony Cingranni
I don’t see either team saying no to this. Nice idea.
Thanks, as a Padre fan we have signed a couple guys and acquired via trade that are almost identical players that do what Amarista does, so I can almost see the writing on the wall when it comes to his tenure with San Diego. Good club house guy who is versatile with the glove but absolutely no stick. He has had trouble batting .220 almost every year with us. I think it’s time to cut bait
Preller would take that deal in a hearbeat.
Braves probably take a chance
I sure hope so, but I can’t see the Phillies or Reds not claiming him before the Braves get the chance.
Can see the Phillies claiming him, they’ll have 1st dibs.
Then trade Asche to the Angels, who is looking for a lefty hitting 3B/OF.
Took the words right out off my mouth, couldn’t agree more, hope klentak goes for him
My guess is the Reds will claim him, maybe they’ll flip Cave to the Padres. Would be funny if the Padres ended up with 4 rule 5 draft players on their opening 25 man roster. Blash, Cave, Perdomo, & Martin.
It would actually be 5. You’re forgetting Blake Smith. And Preller wouldn’t do that because then he’d just have to DFA someone else.
Forgot Smith, 5 rule 5 players out of 25 would be crazy. My thoughts were Liriano & Amarista for Cave. Then the Reds would have to DFA someone. Amarista days with the Padres are numbered with the Ramirez signing.
Amarista still has one more option I think and is okay as a backup SS/superutility who can play almost any position.
Reds have 39 players on their 40-man. If they trade Cave for Amarista and Liriano they wouldn’t have to DFA anyone.
The news in the AM will be that Liriano was picked up on waivers by team expected to contend,
Haha funny you put it that way because I wake up every morning expecting to see “padres trade ….” On my notifications from the mlb app. Liriano could indeed be one of those guys that this organization lets go elsewhere and he produces, A one month trial run in 2014 shouldn’t have been his only chance here in San Diego, but at this point it is what it is. I just hope we can get something for him.
I was also kind of disappointed they didn’t try to give this guy another chance. Oh well, Preller does what he pleases. Maybe they can get something back for him.
I seriously doubt an out-of-options player who was just DFA’d by a non-contender will be claimed on waivers by a contender.
Hope the Angels take a chance on him. Shouldn’t take much to get him but it’s hard to imagine Anaheim presenting the best package. Maybe one of our many catching prospects or a low lvl arm?
Padres have 4 catchers. Why cut Liriano? Oh! He’s not a preller guy? Enuff said