The Phillies are signing infielder Johan Camargo, reports MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes (Twitter link). It’s a $1.4MM guarantee. Camargo was recently non-tendered by the Braves. The Phils have since announced the move, with right-hander Adonis Medina designated for assignment to clear 40-man roster space.
Camargo’s swift signing was no doubt fueled by Major League Baseball’s decision to institute a lockout, though there are pure player merits to consider here as well. While Camargo has yet to replicate his early career success with Atlanta, he remains a viable bench option capable of covering several positions. His dominant .326/.401/.557 output in 104 Triple-A games this year likely gave the Phillies front office hope as well.
The 24-year-old Medina draws the short end of the transaction stick after a cup of coffee in the Majors and a rough showing at Triple-A. In 67 innings at the minor’s highest level, the right-hander pitched to a 5.05 ERA, continuing the trend of a rising ERA with each promotion. Medina regularly posts above average groundball rates however, and is likely to pique the interest of a front office who values that skillset, assuming he doesn’t end up remaining with the only organization he’s known.
Nice. This is a good signing by the Phillies. I remembered in 2018 he had a great year with almost 20 home runs. If he plays consistently he might put good numbers.
That was a fluke year. As someone who watched him play from day 1, I’m glad he’s another team’s problem. He doesn’t hustle, plays lazy, has horrible body language, and just generally doesn’t out up a good at-bat.
Phil’s can have him. Good riddance!
I never understood why some people like to bash on Camargo saying he’s lazy or doesn’t hustle. He has a cannon for an arm with an easy delivery, he’s also a smooth fielder with decent range. He doesn’t have great speed but is athletic. I guess that’s why some people view him as lazy. Just like Ozzie, Swanson and Riley he was always taking fielding practice with Washington, his work ethic was never questioned by the Braves. He also showed up to spring training in great shape.
He won’t be an All-Star player, but could be a decent, reliable 3B or 2B, I think he’s too big to do SS full time.
He needs regular playing time, but I don’t think it will be with the Phillies.
He’s an all right player, but 2018 was clearly a fluke. Camargo can make a career of being a filler guy because he can play a few positions. Look at Jace Peterson.
Good for him.
Dude needs everyday playing time, could be nice pick up
He is a good player that needs some team that can give him playing time. Good for him
Hope the O’s scoop Medina.
I can’t believe the Phillies designated for assignment Medina. The team that claim him might get a steal. He has potential to be a good starting pitcher or a reliever. If the Cards or Cleveland could claim him he could become a better pitcher if the team can help him. He might be claim by Arizona Diamondback or the Pirates. I watched him on his debut in the majors and he wasn’t that bad. I’m very surprised he was let go.
He wasn’t great in Philly, but hardly used. I think the Phillies gave up on him too early.
Yes, I agree with you. He needed more time to establish himself in the majors. At least they need it to try to trade him to acquire someone else.
the first part I agree with, but everything else not so much. never felt safe watching him pitch, and while he did his job, it as a super small sample and otherwise has struggled AA and up. hopefully when the transaction freeze ends they can get at least cash for him.
Watching Medina pitch in person dude seems to get hit hard. I don’t think he progressed like expected as he made his way up the minors.
no, he didn’t, which is why my biggest regret is not having dealt him when his value was high over anything else.
Braves legend. lol
Medina this is shocking
Good riddance. The second he was replaced by a superior player he sulked and stopped hustling.
the heck qw guranteeing him that much for?
This is Bittersweet.
I like getting Carmago.He atleast gives them insurance and versatility throughout the infield.But they’re giving up on Medina a little to soon.He’s a guy who’s been one of their top prospects,figured he would’ve been a nice wildcard as depth,like the 7th,8th,or 9th pitcher in line for starts.And his value falling far enough to not be a 2nd,3rd,or 4th piece in a trade?
Camargo is still cashing in the only good season of his career, including minors. SMH…
What’s the point of dropping RT and Galvis if this is what you end up with?
Galvis was a FA
including minors? He killed it in the minors last year too. 2020 was wasted, 2019 he was up and down all year and didn’t get much playing time.
We all know how good he was in 2018.
That means that 2 of the last 3 years he put up great numbers.
Camargo had the slowest sprint speed of any shortstop at 25.7 ft/second. A shortstop this slow better hit like Trevor Story. He doesn’t. Braves rarely make mistakes with letting go players who’ve been in their organization. He won’t be missed.
Camargo is a 3B not a shortstop.
The Braves won’t miss him because we have no place for him and he was never able to play the utility role.
But he could be a better than average player for a team that gives him a chance for a full time 3B or 2B job.
Adam Wainwright, anyone?
As will pick up Medina ,like Cole Irvin last year, and turn him into a serviceable starter
Cole Irvin is a hitter of bats.
that’s fine with a good INF defense
Never wish bad on anyone. I’m glad the guy has a opportunity to continue his career. There was no more room for him in ATL. Once Riley took off the writing was on the wall. Arcia comes over and his place on the team was further diminished. Take that money and give it to Freeman.
I like my Phillies signing Camargo. First, at $1.4 million, it was low cost deal that could pay dividends if Bohm flops and we need a 3B. Mostly likely scenario is Camargo assumes the role Brad Miller had last year with two improvements: 1. Camargo is a switch hitter and, 2. Camargo provides much better defense than Miller wherever Camargo is asked to play.
Lastly, I am surprised a number of Brave fans posted unfavorable comments about Camargo. You probably were not that critical of him in 2018 when he, literally, came out of nowhere and had a great year for you. You Brave fans are spoiled. There aren’t too many infielders who could crack your all-star infield. Not Camargo’s fault there was no room in the inn for him in 2019 or last year.
Camargo didn’t adapt well to the bench role. Some people just need to play every day. I think he’s one of them.
Anybody the Phils get from the Braves not named Bohm or Moniak is a superstar for Phillies fans. Braves have a rich history of drafting and developing talent. Phillies dont. Don’t get overly optimistic with Camargo. He’s an underachieving moody player who was invisible during Atlanta’s playoff run for a reason.
Hilarious to hear “Braves fans are spoiled”. You gotta be kidding me, imagine if the Braves had the payroll of the Mets and Phillies to a degree even the Nats. Homegrown infield that put in a ton of work to be better than the rest, period. That’s no being spoiled that is busting your tail off and not just accepting that your good enough. Nor, is it buying whatever player is the “Flavor of the Month”. Throw money at the problem what do you get, Mets,Phillies, and so on. I don’t hate the Phillies, Heck I’m from Pennsylvania. Their issue is terrible defense and a bullpen that implodes.
Wheeler was the CY Young this year too, Corbin Burnes had a great year but if the Phil’s would have done more to help the dude Wheeler wins that award.
Wheeler would have won but tailed off a tad later in the year. Burnes won by being the most consistent of the finalists.
Camargo is a depth signing nothing more.Medina is what he is and it was time to move on.
Braves fans have been screaming for him to be off the team for years. Lazy approach, never could hit mlb pitching minus one fluke year, which even then he frustrated us. I rooted for him, he apparently can crush minor league pitching, but unless he stops worrying about what he’s wearing, how he smells, and how his hair looks, he’ll never hit his full potential.
The problem with Camargo is that he absolutely has to get consistent at-bats to be effective. His bat regresses whenever he’s asked to play a utility role. He is also lazy and never met a ground ball that he would hustle out to first. For a guy who came up as a SS, he’s a very below average athlete with poor speed. He does have a cannon for an arm and a sure glove if not great range. If I was Philly, I’d just plug him in at 3B and let him go for a while. That’s what the Braves did in 2018 and it worked out pretty well.
Developing players, lol. I love that term, like they’re a roll of Kodak film or something
Good thing they didn’t include Medina in any trades because he was one of our best prospects….