The Big Unemployment?

Looking at the week that was, at least regarding transactions, in the Major Leagues, there were plenty of big moves, either to the designated list or off of it, call-ups from the minors or demotions, even a huge, outright release, topping all the other stories.

Bad News for the Big Hurt

The biggest news comes out of Canada. The Blue Jays have officially cut ties with Frank Thomas. As of April 20, 2008, Frank Thomas has found himself, yet again, without a team or a job. The reasons for the split appear to be purely over money. The team did not see Frank’s value for the money spent for the last year of his contract and unable to reach an agreement, the team elected to release him yesterday.

Will there be a team out there that will snatch him up off of the free agent list? Yes. I do not think it is right away, not because of his .175 batting average, but I think that it will have to be after the Thomas realizes that his value has dropped significantly within today’s market. Look for Tampa Bay, Baltimore, and even Minnesota to consider Thomas as long as the price is right.

Pitching Transactions

The Seattle Mariners traded for Érik Bédard to become the number one ace and remove the stress of being the ace for young pitching sensation Felix Hernandez. All seemed well in Mariner Nation…for the first 30 days of the season. The news came down on April 14 that the Mariners had retroactively placed Bédard on the disabled list with inflammation in his left hip.

There are several young pitchers that are making their way to the big leagues. The Milwaukee Brewers activated Yovani Gallardo yesterday, giving fantasy managers their long awaited flame-thrower to add to their starting rotations. The Brew Crew will gladly welcome Gallardo and his 101 strikeouts in 110-innings pitched in 2007. Gallardo pitched seven strong innings, striking out four with only one earned run in his return. Although he did not factor in for the win, his presence in the starting rotation brought smiles to all Milwaukee fans.

The Kansas City Royals have recalled young pitching prospect Luke Hochevar from Triple-A, sending Hideo Nomo for assignment. The Royals have been singing Hochevar’s praises since late last season and many keeper league managers are excited about that the young pitcher is getting his opportunity to pitch.
Unfortunately for Hochevar, he ran into the Oakland Athletics, giving up six earned runs in 4.2 innings of work.

More injury news coming out Tampa Bay involving an aging veteran. The Rays placed setup man Al Reyes on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 15, with an impingement in his right shoulder. Instead of bringing in young pitching prospect David Price, the team opted to active left-handed pitcher Kurt Birkins, trying to resolve their bullpen needs.

Peter Moylan is the newest member of the Braves’ 15-day disabled list. This is bad news for Braves fans as the second year player has had a great impact on the team; however, escalating earned runs was a sure-fire sign that all was not right with Moylan. Buddy Carlyle was recalled from Triple-A to replace Peter on the roster. This is good news for Manny Acosta owners as he should be a lock for save opportunities until the return of Rafael Soriano, who is also on the disabled list. The Braves have also placed starting pitcher Tom Glavine on the 15-day disabled list, furthering the woes of Braves organization’s pitching situation. Who is next, Mike Hampton? Oh, that is right, he is all ready on the designated list. Can it get much worse in Atlanta?

In other pitching news, the face of Jeff Weaver has once again appeared in the MLB. Weaver and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed on April 15 to a minor league contract. How soon we forget that this is exactly how Weaver ended up on the World Series Winning St. Louis Cardinals not too long ago…

Batting Transactions

Besides the news regarding Frank Thomas, there are several other hitters making noise on the transactions sheets.

Chicago White Sox have activated Jerry Owens form the disabled list, only to option him to Triple-A. This is due to the emergence of Carlos Quentin. While Owens is a high prospect, he found himself on the disabled list early in the season, opening the door for Carlos to post four home runs, 15 runs batted in, 14 runs, adding a double and a triple to his production totals in only 54 at-bats. Good news for Quentin fans, unfortunately, bad news for fantasy owners of young, fleet-footed, Jerry Owens.

Howie Kendrick has found his way back to the disabled list with a strained hamstring. Shockingly, it is infielder Sean Rodriguez who gets the call up and not hard-swinging second base/shortstop prospect Brandon Wood. This is good news for Kendrick, as it should be a relief that it was not Woods who, given the opportunity, could work his way into the major league line-up and work Kendrick onto the trading block.

In other second base news, Houston Astros’ Kazuo Matsui has found his way off the disabled list and ready to make an impact with his new team. Matsui, who helped spur the 2007 Colorado Rockies to a World Series trip, will likely have to step in immediately and have an impact as the Astros struggle to stay atop their division. Kazuo may not have blazing speed or even a powerful bat but his slap-hitting ways and fairly wide range at second base will lend help to team.

Paul Lo Duca has found his way to the designated list early this year. Paul usually finds his way to the designated list somewhere around mid to early June; however, this year, it appears that the bruise he suffered on his hand, pushed his visit early. With three catchers on the roster, there is not much of an impact as the Nationals have continued their losing ways.

With the arrival of first baseman Daric Barton, the Athletics felt that Dan Johnson had become expendable. The Tampa Bay Rays have claimed Dan off of the waiver wire, designating right-handed pitcher Calvin Medlock to make room. With the loss of Cliff Floyd, this appears to be a good move for the young Rays. With the news of Frank Thomas’ availability, I believe that the Rays would still be in contention for his services, especially if the Dan Johnson scenario does not pan out.

If there was ever a doubt that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were loaded with outfield talent, the demotion of speedy Reggie Willits to their Triple-A Salt Lake affiliate all but assures that they are comfortable going with the aging outfield until further notice.

Lastly, because I am an absolute Red Sox homer, I mention that the invaluable presence of utility infielder Alex Cora will be missed as he has been sent to the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right elbow. Every team has their “no-name” unsung hero, and for Sox Nation, it is the efforts and clubhouse presence of Alex Cora. With prospect Jed Lowrie already in the bigs, and raking, the call went out to utility player  Joe Thurston, who other than an 18-game stint with the Phillies in 2006 was last seen with the Dodgers in 2004. As they say in Boston, “In Theo, we trust!”