Rounding up some minor moves around the game:
- Royals left-hander Mike Montgomery and right-hander Kevin McCarthy cleared outright waivers and have elected free agency, reports Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com (Twitter link). Montgomery, 31, was limited to 5.1 innings in 2020 due to a lat injury, derailing his chance of cementing himself in the Kansas City rotation. McCarthy was an oft-used bullpen piece in 2019 but only got into five games last season. Additionally, Kansas City claimed righty Carlos Sanabria off waivers from the Astros, per Flanagan (Twitter link). The 23-year-old reliever performed well in the high minors in 2019 and made his MLB debut in this year.
- The Twins claimed right-hander Ian Gibaut off waivers from the Rangers, per an announcement from Texas. The 26-year-old pitched to just a 6.57 ERA in 12.1 innings this year but was once a well-regarded relief prospect. He comes with one option year remaining. Fellow Texas righty Luke Farrell cleared outright waivers.
- The Twins also claimed left-hander Brandon Waddell off waivers from the Pirates, per Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com (Twitter link). Additionally, Pirates’ catchers John Ryan Murphy and Luke Maile, utilityman Kevin Kramer, right-hander Yacksel Rios and outfielder Jason Martin all cleared outright waivers, per an announcement from Pittsburgh.
- The Mets claimed right-hander Nick Tropeano off waivers from the Pirates, per an announcement from Pittsburgh. The 30-year-old pitched in seven games with a 1.15 ERA for the Pirates in 2020. He’s projected for a salary just under $1MM in arbitration.
- The Nationals announced they’ve selected the contract of right-hander Steven Fuentes. The 23-year-old pitched to a 2.69 ERA/2.24 FIP in 63.2 Double-A innings in 2019 and would’ve been eligible for the Rule 5 draft this winter. Baseball America ranks Fuentes the #27 prospect in the Washington system.
- The Cubs announced that they have claimed infielder Max Schrock via waivers from the rival Cardinals. Chicago also outrighted lefty Rex Brothers to Triple-A Iowa. Schrock picked up just 17 plate appearances for St. Louis in 2020 and collected three hits (two singles and a homer). Brothers, 32, threw only 3.1 innings with the Cubs and allowed three earned runs.
- Speaking of the Cardinals, they announced outright assignments for righty Nabil Crismatt and lefty Ricardo Sanchez. Crismatt was successful for the Cardinals in 2020, notching 8.1 frames of three-run ball with eight strikeouts and one walk. Sanchez had some difficulty across 5.1 innings, though, as he gave up four earned runs and issued five walks.
Schrocking development.
How can 2 pitchers off the worst team in MLB get claimed??????
If OTHER teams think they’re worth a 40-man spot (and the Twins especially are pretty bright folks), why don’t the Pirates?
Lol
Tropeano looks good on paper, but there must be more injury issues. He sat out 2017 with Tommy John surgery and has been battling arm troubles for quite some time.
Tropeano was their best setup man,albeit in a small sample.If a pitcher does not throw 95 the Pirates do not like him.Results do not count.What do they have to lose?
The others were destined to be released.Martin just is too small to meet the grade.The catchers cannot hit.Kramer had major surgery and did not hit at all in his cups of coffee in the ML.Rios is wild.Waddell slowly emerged from the minor leagues but did not impress although he did Ok in the few games he pitched.
The Pirates needed room on their roster as they had a number of players on the 60 day injured list.I do not think that they should have released Tropeano as they have other pitchers clearly below him.
Agree and they keep Neverauskas ???
Believe it or not I think that he may be a head case with some talent.
They need his spot though and he is out of options.
They should try to sign the waived players to minor league contracts along with this guy.
Bashlor I think is up next.
nice claims by KC and CHC
also im surprised Martin was placed on waivers. even moreso that he went unclaimed
Eh, he’s not really anything more than a 4th, borderline 5th OF option. There’s a little bit of pop in his bat, he can run fairly well, but a poor fielder with a weak arm.
Brad Hand just went unclaimed. This is gonna be a slow off-season.
Looks like this is the year salaries come down……
Yea you have to imagine if any year this is the year the qualifying offer amount actually comes down.
Of course after I type that I realize the CBA is up so may be a mute point huh? *sigh*
The QO went up. It’s already been announced.
Next offseason.
Gotta open spots to protect prospects from the rule 5 draft. With money tight the prospects are worth more than ever. Also with the money situation I don’t see many qualifying offers being extended and any that are should probably except them.
4 – yes, accept the qualifying offer this year and become a free agent next year with no QO attached.
Cohen’s billions already at work.
Not my money so I could care less if the salaries drop.
Diamondbacks released Kevin Cron
I remember tropeano’s 1st major league start/ game was at citifield and hes a ny’er too..his mother was more into it than his father was..and she looked pretty damn good too..
Plus hes from the stony brook area,which is where stroman and matz are from..see how they turned out for the mets