Loading ...As you’ve already heard, Brandon Claussen was designated for assignment today. Meanwhile, a half-dozen stiffs remain on the 40 man roster, but there wasn’t room for Claussen.
Apparently, this team has so much pitching that they can just give it away.
I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
This makes no sense to me. As many offensive stiffs as this team has, and as badly as they need starting pitching, you’d think that would have been the way to go.
But noooooo….
Could Claussen be hurt that badly?
I feel bad for Claussen. It wasn’t that long ago that he was a Philip Hughes level untouchable in the Yankees system. Then he needed Tommy John surgery and lost several MPH off of his fastball. Then his career was reborn with the Reds only for him to get hurt and released. Unlike Josh Hamilton, this is one of those prospects initially thought to have tons of talent who has had a rough career for reasons not entirely of his own doing.
I am guessing the medical reports on his bum wing are not good. Claussen is a stiff himself with a twice injured arm, so it seems more a matter of running out of space for stiffs, so one unlucky stiff had to go.
That’s the kind of pitching I would love to give to my competitors.
What’s puzzling about cutting a LH with little stuff and a tiny will to succeed or chances of doing it?
Time to move on instead of coaxing crap out of more crap.
you people would rather have chad moeller than a young starting pitcher who put up a 4.21 ERA in ‘05? what!?
We never tried him in pen but we’re willing to throw millions at standton and cormier? What!?
so adam eaton is worth 24mil/3yr and has a 92 career ERA+, and claussen is worth nothing with an 88 career ERA+. What!?
color me mortified. if brandon’s arm didn’t actually explode, then krivsky is certifiable.
I agree, Al. Claussen had an ERA below league average as a, what, 25 year old? After being a top prospect.
Then he was crappy last year, sure…but isn’t it clear that he was hurt? Mightn’t the injury be a pretty good explanation for his poor performance?
I can’t understand why we’d keep some of the crap we have on the 40 man roster, while cutting loose a player like Claussen who has actually performed, and at least has a sliver of a chance of being a decent major leaguer again. Instead, we keep Bubba Crosby and Chad Moeller. Sheesh.
And what’s with this “will to succeed” stuff?
Brian, I usually agree with your analysis, but this move just makes little sense.
Now, let me temper those comments by echoing what Cary said above. This move is defensible if there are legit medical reports that Claussen’s arm is toast. I don’t know whether that’s true, and to be intellectually honest, we need to give Krivsky the benefit of the doubt on that point. But if there’s any chance at all that Claussen will be able to pitch again, I think they made the wrong choice….based on what has been reported.
Just want to acknowledge that we don’t know the entire story here.
Now, I’m not sure we can trust the Reds’ medical staff, but that’s another rant for another day.
And what’s with this “will to succeed” stuff?
It’s based on an article I read recently where he was talking about his faith, which I read as he wasn’t using his faith to fuel him, but rather as a fallback position.
It’s really just my interpretation, and probably this isn’t the forum for it anyway.
I’m confused. Are we talking about Brandon Claussen? Are we talking about the same Brandon Claussen who went 3-8 with a 6.19 ERA and blew up his shoulder? Is this the same Brandon Claussen who on average throws 17.5 pitches per inning, has a career winning percentage of 37.2%, and a 1.88 K/BB ratio? Yeah, I’m ok with letting him go. He might just become the best darned pitcher in the International League one day.
For those who think we are just “letting him go,” what value would he bring in a trade, a player to be named later or cash? Woo Hoo…
On a somewhat related note, we signed Miguel Perez to a minor league deal and invited him to Spring training.
I, for one, am relieved we signed another catcher.
Claussen’s medical report must not look good. Even so, I’d be suprised if someone didn’t sign him quickly.
Agreed, Glenn. With the outrageous cost for even mediocre pitching right now, you would think that you could at least take a flyer on him for the bullpen and possibly be an emergency fill-in for the rotation. I know someone had to go, but I hate that it’s a 25 yo pitcher; especially one that came so highly regarded once upon a time.
from Dayton Daily News:
The Cincinnati Reds designated for assignment left-handed pitcher Brandon Claussen, but that does not mean his career with the team is over.
“We told him we would like for him to come back on a minor-league contract and we remain interested in keeping him,” said General Manager Wayne Krivsky.
EVERY team would like that deal.
I thought Miguel Perez was already in our system.
I’m confused. Are we talking about Brandon Claussen? Are we talking about the same Brandon Claussen who went 3-8 with a 6.19 ERA and blew up his shoulder?
Yes. He’s worth a minor league deal. Meanwhile, a guy who went 5-10 with a 5.83 ERA is going to get a multi-million dollar contract for 2007.
We’re also talking about the Brandon Claussen who had a 4.21 in 2005 (in GABP, by the way). Of course, you’re free to believe that his true level is from the season in which he needed, and received shoulder surgery.
Chris and GregD,
I’ll give you that in 2005 – the only year in which he pitched over 100 innings by the way – his era was a respectable 4.21. Your free to believe that his true level was flashed during that 2005 season. And hey, if he ever goes for over 100 innings again, then he might find himself as a reliable end of the rotation guy.
Still, I remember most people hating the Lohse deal. Nobody could understand why Lohse was brought to Cincinnati. Here’s a guy who is just three years older than Claussen and has better career numbers than Claussen. Yet, everyone is begging for Claussen to stay on the 40 man roster in some way shape or form. The truth of the matter is that Lohse likely took over Claussen’s role as the 4th/5th starter.
The plus for Claussen is that he is a lefty. That is all well and good, but from what I’ve heard the Reds took Bray with the intention that he would eventually work into a starters role. Even if that doesn’t happen, you guys have been yelling about how there are too many south-paws in the bullpen. So why add another in Claussen?
The bottom line is that I haven’t heard anyone say a good word about any deal Krivsky has made. Even the Arroyo deal was bashed out of the blocks. What does the guy have to do? If he landed Zito it would be bad somehow. If he traded Denorfia for Ichiro somebody would throw a fit.
Re: Krivsky deals to date. I guess one of the deals that will always stick out in my mind, was cutting David Williams when he had an option year left. Seeing Williams put up some good games in NY at the end of the season (after spending some time in the AAA affiliate and on the AAA DL) just made me wonder why the roster was managed the way it was? Well, there’s got to be a reason we don’t know about.
He traded for David Ross, keeping 3 catchers on the roster. Wait for the other shoe to drop. There’s got to be another deal involving one of the catchers. Since Moeller was signed as soon as Larue was dealt, I’m still waiting for that deal that brings the team to 2 catchers.
He did make a couple of good moves/signings. Arroyo, Hatteberg, Phillips and Ross, so far.
The way the roster stands today, there are serious issues when the first position player gets injured. Last year there was a Freel and an Aurilia. Freel is a projected starter and Aurilia is gone. The backups are now guys like Harris and Castro.
The question isn’t whether it was better to keep Lohse or Claussen, the question is why do we have Bubba Crosby/Chad Moeller instead? Claussen was a great prospect, had a pretty good 2005, tried to play thru injury last year and is coming off surgery. He has been bad, but could be good, and his “badness” is quite possibly explained via injury.
The point is, wouldn’t you rather have someone who COULD be good rather than someone who you KNOW will not be? (Moeller/Crosby)
I don’t disagree that the 3 catcher platoon is a bit odd. Though, Castro infield depth shouldn’t be a concern considering the offensive drop-off between Gonzalez and Castro isn’t horrific – but again I can see why that may be another problem.
Still, the winter isn’t over yet though and the Reds are supposedly interested in acquiring more offense. I guess that is my major point of emphasis. We don’t really know what the team will look like until April – 3 months away.
On a side note, after looking at the Jose Vidro deal I’m getting to be more impressed with Bowden for what he is doing in Washington.