Transaction Analysis

Transaction Analysis: July 17-20

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Placed 3B Matt Williams on the 15-day DL ("micro" stress fracture – foot); activated INF Andy Stankiewicz from the DL. [7/19] Whereas losing Matt Williams might be touted as a bad thing, the only place where it may really hurt them over several games will be defensively. With Danny Klassen having been handed...

Transaction Analysis: July 13-16

by Christina Kahrl 7/17

ANAHEIM ANGELS Activated LHP Allen Watson from the DL; optioned OF Damon Mashore to Vancouver. [7/13] Watson was promptly deposited into the bullpen, and if you pricked up your ears from the stands, you’d undoubtedly hear him kvetching about it. You might think that his near-supersonic ERA ought to shut him up (7.17, 7.27, 7.37?...

Transaction Analysis: July 7-13

by Christina Kahrl 7/14

BALTIMORE ORIOLES Announced that RHP Terry Mathews cleared waivers and was granted his unconditional release. [7/10] Placed DH Harold Baines on the 15-day DL (hamstring); activated OF Jeffrey Hammonds from the DL. [7/11] Losing Baines doesn’t help an already weak set of choices in the outfield. Although Brady Anderson has struggled back above the Mendoza...

Transaction Analysis: July 1-6

by Christina Kahrl 7/07

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Optioned RHP Jeff Suppan to Tucson. [7/3] Recalled 2B Danny Klassen from Tucson. [7/4] The lot of fifth starters in general is to get shipped off when roster pressures mount, and Suppan is no exception. Omar Daal may be ready to come off the DL by the end of the break, and the...

Transaction Analysis: June 27-30

by Christina Kahrl 7/02

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Placed 2B Andy Stankiewicz on the 15-day DL (knee). [6/27] Activated C Jorge Fabregas from the DL; optioned OF Mike Robertson to Tucson. [6/30] Uncanny. The D-backs replace one utterly useless player for another. Both Kelly Stinnett and Damian Miller are better players, but Fabregas has his defensive reputation, and he’s blessed to...

Transaction Analysis: June 22-26

by Christina Kahrl 6/29

ANAHEIM ANGELS Signed RHP Erik Hanson to a minor-league contract. [6/25] An insurance move, since the Angels have gambled and lost on Jack McDowell and William VanLandingham. Keep in mind it isn’t a good insurance move, since Hanson may well be done himself. If they’re desperate, calling up Rich Robertson would be a better idea....

Transaction Analysis: June 19-21

by Keith Law 6/24

ATLANTA BRAVES Optioned pitcher Mark Wohlers to Gulf Coast League Braves (Rookie League). [6/20] Wohlers requested this demotion so he could straighten out his mechanics; although he’s limited batters to a .217 average, he’s walked 18 in 16 innings after walking 38 in 69.1 innings last year and 21 in 77.1 innings in 1996. Kerry...

Transaction Analysis: June 12-18

by Christina Kahrl 6/19

ANAHEIM ANGELS Placed RHP Ken Hill on the 15-day DL (elbow – bone spurs); purchased the contract of C Ben Molina from Midland (AA). [6/12] Purchased the contract of RHP Steve Sparks from Vancouver; optioned C Ben Molina to Midland (AA); outrighted 2B Carlos Garcia to Vancouver. [6/15] The chicanery involved was getting a backup...

Transaction Analysis: June 8-11

by Christina Kahrl 6/12

BALTIMORE ORIOLES Acquired RHP Pete Smith from San Diego for RHP Eric Estes; designated RHP Richie Lewis for assignment. [6/9] When he’s going good, Pete Smith has a lot in common with Scott Kamieniecki: adequacy. He’ll enter to Orioles rotation, moving Sid Ponson back to the bullpen. That still won’t be enough to really shore...

Transaction Analysis: June 5-8

by Christina Kahrl 6/09

BALTIMORE ORIOLES Purchased the contract of LHP Radhames Dykhoff from Bowie (AA); sent RHP Bobby Munoz outright to Rochester. [6/5] Activated RHP Mike Mussina from the DL; placed RHP Terry Mathews on the 15-day DL, retroactive to 6/2 (shoulder stiffness); placed OF Jeffrey Hammonds on the 15-day DL, retroactive to 6/3 (back spasms); purchased the...

Transaction Analysis: June 1-4

by Christina Kahrl 6/05

ANAHEIM ANGELS Placed RHP Jack McDowell on the 15-day DL (elbow); recalled LHP Jarrod Washburn from Vancouver. [6/1] Recalled CF Orlando Palmeiro from Vancouver; optioned INF Frank Bolick to Vancouver. [6/4] Losing Black Jack (again) isn’t the problem, and adding Washburn to the rotation isn’t a bad turn for the Angels either. The bad break...

Transaction Analysis: May 27-31

by Christina Kahrl 6/01

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Placed C Jorge Fabregas on the 15-day DL (sprained ankle); recalled RF Karim Garcia from Tucson. [5/31] With Kelly Stinnett and Damian Miller around, the D-backs have two better catchers than Fabregas, healthy or not, so they’re not in bad shape. In turn, they’re taking the roster spot and making a silk purse...

Transaction Analysis: May 22-26

by Christina Kahrl 5/28

ANAHEIM ANGELS Placed LHP Allen Watson on the 15-day DL (strained elbow); recalled 3B/1B Frank Bolick from Vancouver. [5/24] Thanks to a few handy off-days this week, the Angels aren’t really going to be hurt much in the short term by placing the combustible Watson (7.69 ERA) on the DL. Jack McDowell will continue to...

Transaction Analysis: May 19-21

by Christina Kahrl 5/22

ANAHEIM ANGELS Activated RHP Jack McDowell from the 15-day DL; optioned 3B/1B Frank Bolick to Vancouver. [5/21] Black Jack’s return has bumped Jason Dickson from the rotation, which will hopefully let Dickson work on his assortment while giving him a lighter workload so that he can get back to where he was last season. With...

Transaction Analysis: May 15-18

by Christina Kahrl 5/19

ANAHEIM ANGELS Placed UT Randy Velarde on the 15-day DL, retroactive to 5/15 (elbow); recalled SS/2B Justin Baughman from Vancouver. [5/16] It looks like Velarde’s elbow woes are of the career-ending variety, which means the Angels have to get away from the ugly temporary solutions at second (Carlos Garcia, Paco Martin, or Craig Shipley), and...

Transaction Analysis: May 11-14

by Christina Kahrl 5/15

ANAHEIM ANGELS Activated UT Randy Velarde from the 15-day DL; placed INF Carlos Garcia on the 15-day DL (broken bat, er… strained hamstring). [5/13] Velarde’s return has apparently lasted all of two days, since he’s already complaining about soreness in his bum elbow. Garcia’s bat will take a lifetime to heal up, which leaves Paco...