So the Rays just designated him for assignment. My first thought, CLAIM HIM! I don't know what his defense is like at 3rd and I don't care, even if his defense is atrocious we will need a DH next year anyway, and if someone else fills the role he is still great depth for a horrid AAA team. He is also only 25 also, so not too old for AAA. I just can't see any reason to pass on this.
What do you think? I think for $20,000 it would be impossible to go wrong.
0 recs | 11 comments
I say don’t claim him, but if he cleared waivers and became a free agent then a minor league deal would be okay. DH depth probably isn’t that much of a concern right now. He doesn’t have much time at third at all. Most of his minor league time is at 1st.
conroestro - January 27, 2012 via mobile
He will be 26 this season. Offense is good, particularly in the international league context. Sort of a Jack Cust type, with questionable defensive position. He will have to pass through the AL first before the Astros have a chance to claim him. At that point, it depends on whether it’s worth removing someone from the 40 man roster to claim him. A relief pitcher would be the most likely candidate, IMO, But the 40 man roster is tight right now. I agree that it would be preferable to sign him as a minor league free agent, rather than use a 40 man roster slot. But that assumes that he wouldn’t return to Tampa Bay if he cleareed waivers. I don’t have enough of a scouting report on him to say whether he is worth a 40 man slot Hopefully, the FO, which has the scoutng reports, will look at him.
clack - January 27, 2012
According to what I’ve read, the waiver claim order isn’t based on league anymore(during the offseason) due to a change in the CBA. Supposedly, the Astros would have first shot at a claim based on having the worst record in 2011 even if the player was waived by an AL team.
But I don’t think they should claim him if he can’t play 3B.
Hal J - January 27, 2012
I haven’t been able to find that change in the CBA. This MLBPA summary seems to cover most subjects, and I don’t see this change. If you have a link, I would appreciate it.
clack - January 28, 2012
I read it on mlbtraderumors a couple of weeks ago. I looked for a link, but can’t find it. It might be wrong.
Hal J - January 28, 2012
Confirmed by Luhnow
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120210&content_id=26641928&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou
“First of all, we’re probably the busiest front office in baseball because we get first licks at anybody who got designated [a product of having the worst record in baseball last year]. "
Hal J - February 11, 2012
If they are equivalent defenders at 3B, I would rather have Canzler than CJ
Now, it’s possible CJ is the better defender at third base, but he’s pretty darn bad so I don’t think it’s impossible that Canzler could be his equal, defensively.
If the front office has scouting reports which decide he can play 3B as well as Johnson can, I say DFA Johnson and pick up Canzler.
OremLK - January 27, 2012
That’s a good point. If the defense is the same and be provides more offense then that would be a rational move.
conroestro - January 27, 2012 via mobile
Indians
acquired Canzler for cash considerations.
Hal J - January 31, 2012
Yep, so any hope people had of them wanting Lee is probably gone.
vicious-peanut - January 31, 2012
His defense is apparently putrid, particularly in the IF due to slow reflexes.
3b probably wouldn’t have been a good spot for him, but I’m glad someone out there thought he’d be worthwhile in some aspect. I hate that the Rays released him to put Keppinger on their roster. Ridiculous.
SandalsNoPants - February 5, 2012
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