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ANAHEIM ANGELS Team Audit | Player Cards | Depth Chart |
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RHP Michael Kohn filed for free agency. [9/8]
No one outside of the Kohn household is holding their breath over this development, but give him props for adding an odd line to the record books. Kohn posted the highest walk rate for a pitcher with 20-plus innings since Royce Ring in 2007, and it's not hard to see why—his delivery features plenty of unbalance and arm drag. His control wasn't any better in the minors, which limits the amount of optimism one can have about him heading forward. Still, Kohn entered the season with the chance to become a useful middle reliever. It doesn't look likely now, but maybe the right coach can revive that hope. – R.J. Anderson
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CLEVELAND INDIANS Team Audit | Player Cards | Depth Chart |
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Acquired OF-L J.B. Shuck from the Angels in exchange for cash considerations. [9/5]
Shuck, author of a surprisingly competent season in 2013, is joining the wrong organization if he wants more playing time. Cleveland's three starting outfielders each bat left-handed, leaving him without an obvious role beyond the general reserve outfielder. That's not too big of a deal at this point—sitting on a big-league bench beats the minors—but heading forward he's looking at more time spent in the minors. If Shuck does latch onto another big-league gig, be it in Cleveland or elsewhere, it'll be on the strength of his bat-to-ball skills. – R.J. Anderson
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TEXAS RANGERS Team Audit | Player Cards | Depth Chart |
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Purchased the contract of INF-S Guilder Rodriguez from Double-A Frisco; transferred RHP Yu Darvish to the 60-day disabled list (strained shoulder). [9/7]
September brings stories like Rodriguez's to the forefront. Rodriguez, 31, was the minor-league leader in games played without a big-league appearance. That all changed on Tuesday night, when he started the game at second base. The moment had added meaning for Rodriguez, who mentored his double-play partner Luis Sardinas and Texas' other young Latin middle-infielders over the years. Typical organizational soldier stuff, perhaps, but there's almost certainly a future in coaching for Rodriguez—just don't blame if he's more focused on appreciating his past enjoying his present. – R.J. Anderson
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CINCINNATI REDS Team Audit | Player Cards | Depth Chart |
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Acquired RHP Kevin Shackelford and Barrett Astin from the Brewers to complete the Jonathan Broxton trade. [9/10]
In exchange for Broxton, the Reds received two right-handers with some potential to pitch in a major-league bullpen. Shackleford is the headliner here, offering a premium fastball that sits in the 93-94 mph range and reached 97 mph at times this season. With a slider that can miss bats, Shackleford has the potential to flash a two-pitch arsenal that can work late in games, but his inability to control the baseball leaves the profile a little short. The arm strength and raw potential of the sharp breaker should get Shackleford to the big leagues, but at best he probably ends up in a seventh-inning role.
With Astin, the Reds add a potential middle reliever who works in the low 90s with impressive sink, and a cutter that gives him a horizontal element to counteract the sink on his fastball. Astin can throw plenty of strikes and should induce a high number of groundballs, but his lack of swing-and-miss stuff will prevent him from working in high-leverage situations. —Mark Anderson
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ST. LOUIS CARDINALS Team Audit | Player Cards | Depth Chart |
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Recalled INF-L Greg Garcia from Triple-A Memphis; selected the contract of RHP Samuel Tuivailala from Triple-A Memphis; outrighted OF-L Rafael Ortega and C-R Audry Perez. [9/8]
The exciting addition here—with all due respect to Garcia—is Tuivailala, a converted infielder who can sling it. His appearance on Tuesday ensured he would finish the season having thrown pitches at four different levels. No matter the quality of competition, Tuivailala needs to improve his control and find a solution against left-handed hitters. Expect to see him pitch in middle relief over the next few weeks, as the Cardinals figure out whether he's ready for a bigger role next season.
Related: Jeff Moore set eyes on Tuivailala three months ago and wrote about the experience. – R.J. Anderson
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