The Blue Jays announced that they’ve designated lefty reliever Brandon Eisert for assignment. That opens a spot on the 40-man roster for Anthony Santander, who has officially signed his five-year free agent deal.
Eisert, who turned 27 yesterday, made his major league debut last season. He came out of the bullpen for three appearances, allowing three runs across 6 2/3 innings. He walked four and struck out a pair. The Oregon State product spent the rest of the year with Triple-A Buffalo, where he turned in a 3.86 earned run average through 53 2/3 innings. He fanned an excellent 29.1% of batters faced against a 9.3% walk rate.
That was Eisert’s third consecutive season working mostly in Triple-A. He doesn’t have much else to prove there. Eisert has posted a cumulative 3.83 ERA through 183 1/3 innings. He has missed bats in all three years and owns a career 28.6% strikeout rate at the top minor league level. He pairs that with league average walk and ground-ball numbers.
Despite his solid minor league results, Eisert got only the briefest of looks in the Toronto bullpen. The Jays had the worst relief group in the American League last season. The front office seemingly didn’t expect Eisert’s arsenal to play at the MLB level, though. He doesn’t have prototypical power stuff. His fastball averaged 91.2 MPH in the majors and sat around 90 MPH in Triple-A. He threw the fastball around half the time while mixing in a slider and changeup during his minor league work.
Eisert’s upper minors track record and ability to throw multiple innings out of the bullpen could get him some attention. The Jays have five days to trade him or place him on waivers, which are a 48-hour process. Eisert still has two minor league options, meaning another team that is willing to carry him on the 40-man roster could bounce him between the majors and Triple-A for a while.
Looks like a guy to trade for or claim. Cherington has to be interested right?
Three years of regression in AAA. Claim, sure. Trade, no.
I haven’t been watching him but stats look the same. Not thinking a blockbuster but cash considerations wouldn’t surprise me. But after not a single team claimed Tim Hill and only 1 was willing to trade for Bart there’s nothing these gms could do to surprise me.
ive always wondered what do they do as cash considerations. Like we got you covered for a hot dog with your name on it next time you play us? 🙂
By Pirates logic three years of regression at AAA probably guarantees him a spot on the MLB roster. They probably trade cash or a lotto ticket instead of a straight waiver claim
gone but not forgotten
Easy call
I can’t help but get big Yangervis Solarte vibes from this Santander signing in Toronto; Toronto will probably regret years 4-5 a lot.
Like they are with the Springer deal right now? The only thing good about Santander is that should be able to keep his power stroke going into his mid 30’s, so he could become their full time DH in 3 years or so. His batting average could go down and his strikeouts go up quite a bit but he should be good for 20+ HRs in years 4-5 of this contract so long as he stays healthy.
If the jays packaged Schneider, Lukes and Eisert along with a prospect etc. What could they get?
Another similar guy or three. Packaging a hundred replacement level or below players doesn’t bring back a quality player, at least not from a sane GM.
What would the jays get for a package including Eisert, Atkins, Straw and Lukes?
Laughed at…
Surprised they didn’t DFA him first and then try to sign someone.
Not sure why they would do that? Nearly all teams with a full 40 man roster agree to terms with a new free agent before they DFA a player. Heck, Pittsburgh just DFA’d a player to make space for McCutchen and he agreed to his $5M deal 2-3 weeks ago.
With above average AAA results, Toronto might be able to deal Eisert for a lottery ticket. Worst case, they outright him to AAA if there are no takers on him.
Just more of a joke about Ross Atkins’ recent moves.
This is one guy they’re not interested in.