Thoughts On The Last Offseason Saturday
All signs are pointing to Steve Lombardozzi making the big club. So we (continue to) wait.
Despite his release, multiple online sources are indicating that OF Jason Michaels will re-sign and start the season at Syracuse. If so, we’re probably looking at a Chiefs outfield of Brown-Harper-Michaels. As noted in the penultimate post, Andres Blanco has indeed signed a minor-league deal with Philadelphia, where injuries to Chase Utley and former Nat farmhand Michael Martinez have left them in need of infielders.
Rule 5 pick Erik Komatsu has made the St. Louis Cardinals Opening Day roster, but news regarding Brad Meyers remains cryptic. Despite another Yankee pitcher (Michael Pineda) going on the DL today, the odds are that today’s starter for New York (Adam Warren) will get the long-relief role that Rule 5 picks are often used for.
Rosters appear to be set, but haven’t been officially released yet. Byron Kerr is reporting that Matt Purke, Rick Hague, and Robbie Ray will be held back, while Alex Meyer will be starting the season at Hagerstown. I’ve heard some other names, but like player releases, prefer to announce them when the press releases are issued. Unfortunately, I’m out of town for the local media days (Tuesday in Hagerstown, Wednesday in Potomac) but will pass along what I can, when I can.
I am happy for Komatsu, but I hope it doesn’t last. I would hate to lose him for no return.
+1/2St.
I agree … was unfortunate that the Nats never got a chance to see him completely healthy so they could figure whether he was worth protecting. This does seem to illustrate a problem with the Rule V process, as I have to believe that Erik would be better off playing every day at AA/AAA for another year, instead of being forced to mostly sit as a 5th outfielder. Hopefully it won’t set him back.
Remember too with Komatsu we could still get himback, as most rule V guys make opening day, but very few make it through the year
When will they release the rosters for the minor league teams…they have to report soon, the season starts next week
I’m hoping as soon as today for the likes of Syracuse and Harrisburg, but I suspect the lower minors won’t be until Tuesday or Wednesday.
For Syracuse somewhat depends on whether Chad Tracy and Durbin end up there. And there’s still a possibility they might option Lombardozzi and instruct that he play every day. And then there’s Stammen who would be a part of the Chief’s rotation.
Starting pitching for the upper minors isn’t as deep as last season.
There may be some shuffling between Harrisburg and Syracuse right up front before the injuries.
Corey Brown is driving up there now. However, Ryan Tatusko who might get a starting assignment in Syracuse or Harrisburg is staying behind in Florida to work on some mechanical issues.
The rosters for Syracuse and Harrisburg will be very fluid the first month or two as injuries and call ups mix every thing up. The health of Morse, La Roche, Storen, and the call up of Harper when it happens will cause ripples thru out,