The Twins have released right-hander Josh Staumont, as noted by The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman. Staumont was designated for assignment amid a league-wide flurry of transactions on the day of the trade deadline. Staumont is now free to sign with any major league club.
Staumont, 30, was a second-round pick by the Royals back in 2015 and made his big league debut for Kansas City back in 2019. He enjoyed a great deal of success out of the bullpen with the club early in his career with a sterling 2.93 ERA (159 ERA+) and a solid 3.95 FIP in 110 2/3 innings of work through the end of the 2021 season. He struck out a solid 26.7% of batters faced, though he struggled somewhat with throwing strikes as he walked 11.4% of batters faced. That lackluster command came back to bite him over his final two years with Kansas City, as he posted a brutal 6.09 ERA in 57 2/3 innings despite a 4.08 FIP that was largely similar to his previous efforts.
Staumont’s command was the clear culprit of these struggles as he saw his walk rate spike to 15.8% from 2022 to 2023 while his strikeout rate fell a tick to 25.3%. Those additional control woes may have been brought on by injury, however, as Staumont was limited to just 20 innings of work last year after undergoing surgery to correct Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in July of last year. The combination of injury and under-performance concerns led the Royals to non-tender Staumont last November, but he didn’t last long on the open market as the Twins snapped him up on a major league deal just before the new year.
The right-hander’s tenure in Minnesota was a fairly solid one. He posted a respectable 3.70 ERA with a 3.54 FIP in 24 1/3 innings of work for the Twins, though those overall numbers are somewhat inflated by a blow-up appearance against the Mets on July 29 where he surrendered five runs while recording just one out. Prior to that disastrous outing, Staumont boasted a sterling 1.88 ERA with a higher but still strong 3.17 FIP. That being said, Staumont’s peripheral numbers leave some room for concern about the sustainability of his success going forward. While he’s generating an impressive 47.7% groundball rate this year, his 13.7% walk rate is still quite high while no longer being balanced out by strong strikeout numbers as he’s struck out just 17.6% of opponents this year.
Even so, Staumont’s solid results and previous track record of success make it easy to imagine a club overlooking his shaky peripherals to offer him an opportunity in their organization, especially on a no-risk minor league deal. With the trade deadline now in the past, clubs are limited in their ability to make moves that bolster their depth and protect against injuries, and adding an accomplished veteran like Staumont who’s been squeezed off another club’s roster is often the best way to do that in the run-up to the end of the season.
PaulyMidwest
Dude should be scooped up quick. I could see a possible KC reunion with Schrieber and Harvey both being injury questions.
Moneyballer
I don’t think a contender will have room, plus he’s not a trustworthy arm. He will not be scooped up quickly.
MacGromit
“especially on a no-risk minor league deal.”
johncal25
Keep your phone handy Josh cause Jed Hoyer will be calling soon.
warnbeeb
And Scott Harris
proton
Maybe he could get a job with the Bananas. I watched a full game for the first time the other night. It was pretty funny. Would be fun to have enough money to have a small league that travels. If any multi millionaires want to go in on it I will help. Not sure about this guy but Jerry will probably look at him. Been churning that BP with injuries etc.
MacGromit
O’s should snap him up immediately and get him to Norfolk.
gotigers68
We’ll take him !!
Moneyballer
Yeah for that huge playoff push you’re about to make!
MacGromit
@money
For a screen name of Moneyballer, you might not understand value versus expense. lol. Give him a break. Detroit has a few strong pieces already. Taking a flyer on Staumont wouldn’t hurt.
“A journey of a thousand miles starts with the 1st step.”
gotigers68
There’s one in every crowd…..
gotigers68
No, for a warm body that can play……
Tdat1979
He’s a former Royal so obviously he will be signing with the White Sox.