One Roster Move Each MLB Team Must Make ASAP
At this point in the MLB season, no team feels completely comfortable with its roster, and there is always tinkering to be done in an effort to get the best 25 guys in the big leagues.
Even if a roster is solid, there are still decisions to be made at the minor league level, with an eye on who could make an impact later in the year.
For the most part, teams are still looking in-house when it comes to addressing roster needs this early in the season, but the occasional May trade is not unheard of.
So with all of that in mind, here is a look at one roster move each MLB team should make in the near future.
Note: Statistics accurate as of game played prior to May 13.
Baltimore Orioles: Return Vance Worley to the Starting Rotation
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As expected, the Baltimore Orioles offense has been among the best in baseball this season, averaging 4.70 runs per game with an .802 OPS as a team.
However, their starting pitching has been an issue.
The rotation has combined for a 4.36 ERA and it's tallied just 14 quality starts in 33 games.
Kevin Gausman's return has provided a spark, but for a team looking to contend in the AL East, one quality starter is not enough.
They won't look to make any impact trades just yet, but returning swingman Vance Worley to the rotation seems like a smart move.
Claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the offseason, Worley allowed six runs in 10.2 innings over two starts to begin the season before being moved to the bullpen.
Since that move, he's worked 10 scoreless innings over six appearances.
The 28-year-old has never been a front-line starter, but he's just two years removed from going 8-4 with a 2.85 ERA in 17 starts with the Pirates, so it's worth giving him another crack at the rotation.
Boston Red Sox: Promote Yoan Moncada and Andrew Benintendi to Double-A
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The Boston Red Sox don't have any immediate moves worth making at the MLB level, but looking to the future it's time to push a couple of top prospects to the next minor league rung.
Yoan Moncada and Andrew Benintendi have both destroyed High-A Carolina League pitching to this point:
- Moncada: .325/.455/.518, 37 H, 9 2B, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 35 R, 21 SB
- Benintendi: .360/.414/.600, 45 H, 13 2B, 1 HR, 30 RBI, 27 R, 7 SB
There's not a clear path to the majors for either player, but there's nothing left for them to prove at their current level either.
"There’s no question when you see guys like Moncada, Benintendi, and [Rafael] Devers that they’re special players,” team president Dave Dombrowski told Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. “You don’t see that type of talent too often, having three players like that on one team."
The Red Sox don't need to rush either player, but the future remains incredibly bright thanks to their deep, talented farm system, and those two are the headliners right now.
New York Yankees: Bench 3B Chase Headley, Promote IF Rob Refsnyder
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The New York Yankees handed third baseman Chase Headley a four-year, $52 million deal prior to last season.
He didn't exactly set the world on fire in his first full season with the team, but he was passable with a .693 OPS, 29 doubles, 11 home runs and 62 RBI to go along with strong defense at the hot corner for a 1.1 WAR.
This year, he's been among the worst everyday players in baseball.
The 32-year-old finally picked up his first extra-base hit of the season Thursday with a home run, raising his batting line to .194/.283/.226.
That .509 OPS ranks 192nd among 194 qualified players.
Meanwhile, prospect Rob Refsnyder has started seeing more time at third base in the minors after playing primarily second base, and he's riding a hot streak.
He's hitting .415 over his last 10 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and could provide exactly the kind of spark the Yankees offense needs.
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Tampa Bay Rays: Recall 1B/3B Richie Shaffer
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The Tampa Bay Rays set out to add some punch to their lineup in the offseason, and first baseman Logan Morrison was among their more notable pickups.
The 28-year-old has never developed into a star, but he has legitimate 20-plus home run power and provides some versatility with his ability to play first base and both corner outfield spots.
So far, his time in Tampa has been nothing short of a disaster.
Over 86 plate appearances, he's hitting .127/.198/.152 with zero RBI and 29 strikeouts.
At this point, a demotion to the minors or an outright release seems like the team's next move.
Meanwhile, Richie Shaffer is off to a nice start for Triple-A Durham and is capable of providing the team what it hoped it would get out of Morrison.
The 2012 first-round pick is hitting .265/.381/.407 with seven doubles and three home runs, and he flashed some pop in his MLB debut last season with three doubles and four home runs in 31 games.
Toronto Blue Jays: Promote SP Wade LeBlanc to Help in the Bullpen
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With setup man Brett Cecil struggling to a 5.59 ERA in his first 15 appearances, the Toronto Blue Jays could use some help from the left side in their bullpen.
Chad Girodo was promoted earlier this month, and he's pitched to a 1.93 ERA in his first 4.2 innings of work, but veteran Wade LeBlanc is another guy worth keeping an eye on.
The 31-year-old once looked like a promising starter during his time with the San Diego Padres, but injuries derailed his career and he spent last season pitching for the Seibu Lions in Japan.
Back stateside, he's part of the rotation for Triple-A Buffalo, and he's pitched to a 1.88 ERA, 1.209 WHIP and 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings over his first seven starts.
While he provides the team with some useful starting pitching depth, putting him in a swingman role to help out in the bullpen could maximize his value.
Chicago White Sox: Sign SP Tim Lincecum
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There has been plenty of talk about interested parties since Tim Lincecum put on a showcase for MLB scouts last Friday.
It appears the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants are the three teams with the most serious interest, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
All three clubs have a need for starting pitching, but the White Sox seem like a great fit.
Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Carlos Rodon and Mat Latos hold the first four spots in the rotation, but the No. 5 job is still up for grabs after veteran John Danks was released.
Miguel Gonzalez is getting the first crack, while Erik Johnson, Chris Beck and Jacob Turner are also in-house options, but Lincecum has the upside to be a significant improvement over that group.
The White Sox would likely need to sweeten the pot with incentives or an option year, as Lincecum is said to prefer playing "west of the Mississippi" based on what Orioles general manager Dan Duquette told Jim Bowden of MLB Network.
It's a move the contending White Sox need to think seriously about making, though.
Cleveland Indians: Promote SP Ryan Merritt
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The Cleveland Indians went the budget route in their search for a left-handed bullpen arm this offseason, signing Tom Gorzelanny, Ross Detwiler and Joe Thatcher to minor league deals in the hopes that one of them would emerge as a viable option.
So far, not so much.
- Gorzelanny: 12 G, 4.76 ERA, 1.500 WHIP in Triple-A
- Detwiler: 7 G, 5.79 ERA, 1.499 WHIP, demoted to Triple-A
- Thatcher: Released at the end of spring training
That leaves Kyle Crockett as the lone left-hander in the bullpen, and he's been utilized more as a specialist to this point with five scoreless appearances spanning two innings.
Ryan Merritt could be worth a look as a second left-hander and a potential No. 5 starter if Cody Anderson continues to struggle in that role.
The 24-year-old doesn't have overpowering stuff, but he's gone 3-2 with a 2.54 ERA, 0.974 WHIP and 31 strikeouts in 39 innings over six starts.
He tossed a four-hit shutout in his last start, so slotting him in the big league rotation until Carlos Carrasco returns and then moving him to the bullpen could be the best way to utilize him.
Detroit Tigers: Remove SP Mike Pelfrey from the Rotation
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What in the world were the Detroit Tigers thinking when they gave Mike Pelfrey a two-year deal?
So far this year, the 32-year-old has gone 0-4 with a 5.80 ERA and a sky-high 1.850 WHIP. His 5.59 FIP does not exactly provide much hope for better days going forward.
He was passable in his most recent start, allowing five hits and two earned runs in 5.1 innings, but his leash should be getting pretty short at this point.
Promising young left-hander Daniel Norris was recently recalled from the minors to help out in the bullpen, and while he's off to a rough start himself after missing time with a back injury, he's still a big part of the team's future plans.
Whether it's Norris pitching well in relief and earning a starting role, or someone like Matt Boyd or Buck Farmer being bumped up from Triple-A, the next stinker Pelfrey turns in should be his last.
Kansas City Royals: Give Christian Colon the Everyday 2B Job
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Aside from his salary, there is no reason the Kansas City Royals should continue to play Omar Infante on even a semiregular basis.
In the third year of an ill-advised four-year, $30.25 million contract, the 34-year-old Infante continues to be a below-average option with a .247/.282/.320 line on the season.
Meanwhile, former No. 4 overall pick Christian Colon is making a case to see more regular time.
The 27-year-old has been used as the team's utility infielder the past few years, but he's hitting .282 with a .333 on-base percentage in 42 plate appearances.
It's not as though Infante provides a significant edge defensively, so why not go with the younger option who has some upside?
For a team looking to defend its title and off to a somewhat sluggish start, salary obligations can't be a determining factor when setting the lineup.
Minnesota Twins: Trade SP Ricky Nolasco
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The idea of trading Ricky Nolasco and his bloated contract looked like a pipe dream for the Minnesota Twins heading into the season, but things have changed.
Nolasco signed a four-year, $49 million deal prior to the 2014 season, but he went just 11-14 with a 5.64 ERA in 35 starts and one relief appearance over the first two years of that deal.
Six starts into his 2016 campaign, he's 1-1 with a 4.70 ERA.
So what makes him a viable trade chip?
This year's starting pitching market is expected to be incredibly thin, and now that he's healthy Nolasco has the potential to be a useful innings eater if nothing else.
His peripheral numbers are also promising, as he has a 3.41 FIP, 1.148 WHIP and a 6.80 K/BB ratio.
The Twins will still need to eat some of the $25 million left on his deal, but not as much as they would have a few months ago, and moving him would free up a rotation spot for one of their young arms.
Houston Astros: Move SS Alex Bregman to 3B in the Minors
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The Houston Astros selected Alex Bregman out of LSU with the No. 2 pick in last June's draft, and he's been on the fast track to the big leagues since the day he signed.
He was sent to Double-A Corpus Christi to begin his first full professional season, and so far he's looked like a man among boys.
The 22-year-old is currently hitting .311/.414/.662 with five doubles, seven home runs and 18 RBI, and he's struck out just seven times in 88 plate appearances.
The question for the Astros is, where does he play defensively?
He's a shortstop by trade, but won't be playing there in the majors with Carlos Correa firmly entrenched at the position.
Instead, his future might be at the hot corner, where he would immediately be an upgrade over Luis Valbuena, who is hitting .204/.308/.312 on the year.
Starting that transition now with an eye on a potential midseason call-up makes sense, as the Astros still have their sights set on contending despite a rocky start.
Los Angeles Angels: Promote 3B Kyle Kubitza, Move Yunel Escobar to SS
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With Andrelton Simmons headed for a length stay on the disabled list following surgery on his left thumb, some significant playing time has just opened up in the Los Angeles Angels infield.
Veteran utility man Cliff Pennington has been plugged in as the starter at shortstop for the time being, and the team also recently acquired Brendan Ryan, but going forward the team could consider sliding Yunel Escobar over from third base.
That would give either Kyle Kubitza or Kaleb Cowart, two of the top prospects in a weak Angels farm system, a chance to show what they can with regular at-bats at the MLB level.
Both guys are off to solid starts for Triple-A Salt Lake:
- Kubitza: .270/.371/.416, 4 2B, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 13 R
- Cowart: .287/.346/.426, 8 2B, 2 HR, 23 RBI, 18 R
Kubitza is two years older, and his advantage in the plate discipline department could give him the upper hand.
Either way, for an Angels team that has struggled mightily to score runs, giving regular playing time to the light-hitting duo of Pennington and Ryan is not the answer.
Oakland Athletics: Trade DH Billy Butler and the No. 37 Pick to the Braves
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The "Country Breakfast" is on the menu less and less in Oakland these days.
A year after signing a three-year, $30 million deal, a financial splurge by Oakland Athletics standards, Billy Butler has been relegated to the bench.
The 30-year-old hit .251/.323/.390 with 28 doubles, 15 home runs and 65 RBI in his first year with the team, but a .212/.226/.308 start this year has left him as a part-time player.
So what are the A's to do with their highest-paid player?
The first thing they should do is call the Atlanta Braves.
Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports recently reported that the Braves are "desperately" trying to acquire tradable draft picks, and are willing to take back bad contracts in return.
The A's have one of those tradable picks, the No. 37 overall pick in Round A of the upcoming draft.
Bleacher Report's Rick Weiner suggested earlier this week that the A's package Butler and that No. 37 overall selection and ship them to the Braves for a player to be named.
It's a deal that makes sense for both sides, as it gives the A's some welcome payroll relief and the Braves the draft pick they covet.
Seattle Mariners: Recall C Mike Zunino
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Mike Zunino was supposed to be the catcher of the future for the Seattle Mariners when they selected him No. 3 overall in the 2012 draft.
He arrived in the majors the following season, but in parts of three years as the team's starting catcher he hit just .193/.252/.353 with a 32.1 percent strikeout rate.
Perhaps he was rushed to the majors and that played a part in his struggles, but at any rate the Mariners went out and acquired Chris Iannetta and Steve Clevenger in the offseason, and Zunino found himself back in Triple-A as a result.
It looks like that might have been just what he needed.
Still just 25 years old, Zunino is currently hitting .333/.380/.658 with nine doubles, nine home runs and 25 RBI in 121 plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Iannetta (.218 BA, .678 OPS) and Clevenger (.179 BA, .544 OPS) are by no means raking in Seattle, so perhaps it's time to give Zunino and his revitalized confidence another crack at the job.
Texas Rangers: Demote CF Delino DeShields Jr., Once Shin-Soo Choo Returns
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Decision day is nearing for the Texas Rangers, as Shin-Soo Choo continues to rehab the calf injury that landed him on the disabled list.
Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News reported that Choo could return by May 20, for the start of the Rangers series with the Houston Astros.
The trouble is, the right field job is no longer waiting for him.
Top prospect Nomar Mazara was promoted to fill in for Choo while he was sidelined, but he's taken the opportunity and run with it.
The 21-year-old is hitting .314/.372/.457 with three doubles, four home runs and 12 RBI in 121 plate appearances, and he's recently moved into the No. 3 spot in the lineup.
At the other corner outfield spot, Ian Desmond has posted a respectable .777 OPS with 14 extra-base hits and six steals, so he's not in danger of being benched either.
Instead, Desmond could actually be asked to learn another new position and slide over to center field, where the speedy Delino DeShields has struggled to match his rookie performance.
DeShields is hitting .217/.294/.302 with a minus-0.3 WAR, and a trip down to Triple-A to sort things out could be the answer to getting his season on track and sorting out the outfield situation for the time being.
Atlanta Braves: Promote SS Dansby Swanson to the Majors
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Atlanta Braves fans need something to get excited about.
Chances are the team will wait until the Super Two deadline passes in early June to call up any of their top prospects, but shortstop Dansby Swanson is certainly banging on the door.
The No. 1 pick in last June's draft and as polished a college bat as any in recent memory, Swanson has already been promoted once this season from High-A to Double-A.
All told, he's hitting .311/.421/.500 with 15 doubles, two home runs, 17 RBI and 20 runs scored in 33 games.
Not bad for someone who is less than a year removed from suiting up at Vanderbilt.
Now compare that to the Braves' current shortstop situation, which has produced a combined .186/.221/.217 line with four extra-base hits and three RBI so far this year and it's obvious that change is coming.
Expect to see Swanson as soon as that Super Two deadline comes and goes.
Miami Marlins: Recall RP Eric Jokisch
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With Mike Dunn on the disabled list and Craig Breslow recently designated for assignment, the Miami Marlins are currently without a left-hander in their bullpen.
Playing in a division where you face the likes of Bryce Harper, Freddie Freeman, Daniel Murphy, Lucas Duda, Michael Conforto and others from the left side, that's a problem.
Eric Jokisch could be the answer.
A starter during his time in the Chicago Cubs organization, Jokisch has moved to the bullpen since joining the Marlins and he currently has a 1.54 ERA and 1.286 WHIP in 11.2 innings of work.
He doesn't have the dramatic platoon splits of a specialist, but he's capable of being an effective arm from the left side and one who is capable of eating some innings or even making a spot start if needed.
New York Mets: Promote SS Amed Rosario to Double-A
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Is Amed Rosario the long-term answer at shortstop for the New York Mets?
With veteran Asdrubal Cabrera signed to a two-year deal in the offseason, the team has some time to figure that out, but they would love nothing more than for Rosario to seize the job in 2018.
The 20-year-old is currently playing at the High-A level, where he's hitting .318/.366/.515 with 14 extra-base hits and eight steals, so it might be time for the next challenge.
His defensive game is still a work in progress, but most believe he'll stick at shortstop.
"He has outstanding speed, hands, footwork and a very strong arm, everything he needs to stay at shortstop long term," wrote MLB.com's Prospect Watch.
It's just a question of whether he'll be ready when 2018 rolls around, and a promotion to Double-A would be the next step.
Philadelphia Phillies: Promote LF Nick Williams to the Majors
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Center fielder Odubel Herrera has been the Philadelphia Phillies' best hitter this season, but he's being flanked by two of the lightest-hitting corner outfield spots in all of baseball.
Here's what the team's left and right field positions have produced to this point:
- LF: .145/.211/.214, 5 2B, 1 HR, 7 RBI
- RF: .198/.224/.281, 8 2B, 0 HR, 6 RBI
That's a defensive-minded utility infielder level of production from two of the most offensive-minded positions on the diamond.
Help is on the way, though.
Guys like Peter Bourjos, David Lough, Cedric Hunter and Tyler Goeddel are merely placeholders until the team starts promoting prospects, something they'll no doubt wait to do until after the Super Two deadline in June.
The first guy to arrive might be Nick Williams.
Acquired from the Texas Rangers last season in the Cole Hamels trade, Williams is hitting .280/.304/.430 with eight extra-base hits and 17 RBI for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
He has legitimate 20-plus home run potential and has shown solid plate discipline throughout his time in the minors with a .343 on-base percentage.
Speedy Roman Quinn should also be in line for a midseason promotion, so expect the Phillies outfield to look significantly different by the time summer rolls around.
Washington Nationals: Recall SS Trea Turner
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Trea Turner got a taste of big league action last September, and all signs point to him unseating Danny Espinosa at shortstop in the very near future.
He doesn't have much left to prove in the minors.
The 22-year-old is hitting .310/.377/.442 with 11 extra-base hits and 13 stolen bases for Triple-A Syracuse, and that's right in line with what he's done throughout his time in the minors.
Meanwhile, Espinosa is batting .210/.320/.314 and his real value lies in his versatility after he thrived in a super utility role a year ago.
A potential one-two punch of Ben Revere and Turner could stir up memories of Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo during their glory days in Florida.
The prospect of those two setting the table for Bryce Harper is a scary thought for the rest of the league, as the Nationals look to make a run in the NL East.
Chicago Cubs: Acquire RP Brian Duensing
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If there is one clear weakness on the Chicago Cubs right now, it's the lack of a quality left-hander in the bullpen.
Travis Wood (16 G, 4.82 ERA) and Clayton Richard (9 G, 6.35 ERA) are currently the two southpaws in the relief corps, but their early-season performances have not been up to par.
They do have some in-house options with C.J. Riefenhauser and Giovanni Soto pitching in Triple-A, but expect them to explore the trade market as well.
One option that could be available in the near future is Brian Duensing.
The veteran is pitching at the Triple-A level for the Kansas City Royals, but he can opt out of his minor league deal on May 15, according to Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com.
Duensing has pitched well to this point, with a 3.44 ERA and 1.091 WHIP in 18.1 innings. He's also rebounded nicely in the strikeout department with an 8.3 K/9 rate after a career-low 4.4 K/9 last season.
The Royals could still decide to add him to the roster, but if they don't he'll need to either be traded or released. If that winds up being the case, the Cubs should take a flier.
Cincinnati Reds: Promote LF Jesse Winker to the Majors
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This is another move that won't be made until the Super Two deadline passes, but expect Jesse Winker to be in Cincinnati sooner rather than later.
The team's top prospect according to some outlets, including MLB.com, Winker is the future in left field for the Reds.
A first-round pick in 2012, he's one of the best pure hitters in the minors and has put up strong numbers every step pf the way.
That includes a .282/.390/.433 line, 24 doubles and 13 home runs in a full season in Double-A last year.
Bumped up to Triple-A this season, he's batting .303/./405/.393 with more walks (20) than strikeouts (14).
He'll never be a 30-homer threat, but Winker has the tools to hit .300 with strong on-base numbers and plenty of doubles.
Adam Duvall is having a solid season (.818 OPS, 6 HR, 11 RBI) as the current left fielder, but at 27 years old and with below-average on-base skills he's more of a placeholder than a long-term piece.
Milwaukee Brewers: Promote SS Orlando Arcia to the Majors
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The Milwaukee Brewers have done a terrific job building up what was once one of the thinnest farm systems in baseball, and the headliner is shortstop Orlando Arcia.
A consensus top-10 prospect leaguewide, Arcia saw his stock climb considerably after an offensive breakout last year.
Always a slick fielder, he hit .307/.347/.453 with 37 doubles and 25 stolen bases in a full season with Double-A Biloxi to emerge as an elite-level prospect.
It's been more of the same this year, as he's batting .306/.333/.421 through 129 plate appearances with Triple-A Colorado Springs.
This is yet another situation where the club will almost certainly wait until after the Super Two deadline to make a move, but expect him to be manning shortstop in Milwaukee before the All-Star break rolls around.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Promote SP Tyler Glasnow to the Majors
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While many of the prospect promotions suggested in this article have come with the caveat that teams will likely wait until June to avoid an extra year of arbitration, this is a call-up the Pittsburgh Pirates need to seriously consider making right now.
Gerrit Cole and Francisco Liriano are a solid one-two punch and Juan Nicasio has been a pleasant surprise, but the back end of the Pirates rotation needs help.
Consider the following:
- Jon Niese: 7 GS, 3-2, 5.63 ERA, 1.600 WHIP, .304 BAA
- Jeff Locke: 6 GS, 1-2, 4.68 ERA, 1.684 WHIP, .293 BAA
Meanwhile, the team has a pair of front-line prospects throwing the ball incredibly well down in Triple-A:
- Tyler Glasnow: 7 GS, 2-1, 2.13 ERA, 1.184 WHIP, .205 BAA
- Jameson Taillon: 6 GS, 2-1, 1.69 ERA, 0.777 WHIP, .187 BAA
Glasnow is one of the game's truly elite pitching prospects and he has a chance to immediately join Cole atop the rotation, while Taillon has been slowed by injuries the past two seasons but is a highly regarded prospect in his own right and certainly looks to be healthy.
Both guys will be in the rotation at some point this year, but calling up Glasnow now to replace Niese seems like a move the team has to make as it looks to keep pace in the NL Central.
St. Louis Cardinals: Move SS Aledmys Diaz Up in the Lineup
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Losing Jhonny Peralta looked like a huge blow at the time for a St. Louis Cardinals team whose offense was viewed as a potential weakness.
Instead, it opened the door for Aledmys Diaz to show what he can do, and he's been one of the breakout stars of the first quarter of the season.
The 25-year-old is hitting .383/.412/.654 with 12 doubles, five home runs and 18 RBI in 114 plate appearances, and he's doing it hitting at the bottom of the lineup.
Of the 26 games he's started, he's hit in the No. 8 spot in the lineup 19 times and he's hit higher than seventh just once.
Moving Stephen Piscotty with his .486 average and MLB-high 17 hits with runners in scoring position from No. 2 in the lineup to No. 4 or 5 would open up a spot at the top for Diaz, and it would maximize Piscotty's clutch hitting.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Recall RP Silvino Bracho
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The Arizona Diamondbacks lead all of baseball with 137.1 innings pitched by their bullpen, and they've already used 16 different relievers on the year.
Among that stable of bullpen arms is right-hander Silvino Bracho.
Bracho made just two appearances earlier this season, allowing five hits and three earned runs in 1.2 innings, before being returned to the minors.
However, he was brilliant down the stretch last year, posting a 1.46 ERA, 1.054 WHIP and 12.4 K/9 in 13 appearances.
The 23-year-old has legitimate closer-caliber stuff, and he's pitched well in Triple-A with a 2.77 ERA, 0.846 WHIP and 13.2 K/9 while saving six games.
For a team is seemingly in constant need of bullpen help, it's surprising that he hasn't gotten another chance after his rocky start.
Colorado Rockies: Promote SP Jeff Hoffman to the Majors
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The centerpiece of the trade that sent Troy Tulowitzki to Toronto last year, right-hander Jeff Hoffman is making a strong case to join the Colorado Rockies rotation.
The 23-year-old has everything you look for in a front-line starter, with a burly 6'5" frame and power stuff, and he's off to a terrific start in 2016.
In 41.2 innings of work for Triple-A Albuquerque, he's gone 2-2 with a 2.16 ERA, 1.104 WHIP and 36 strikeouts.
The Rockies have already used eight different starting pitchers this year, and outside of Tyelr Chatwood none of them have thrown the ball particularly well.
This is likely another case where the team won't want to add a year of arbitration, but Hoffman will be up at some point and he has a chance to legitimately emerge as the ace of the staff this year.
Take that for what it's worth, considering who he'll be competing with for that title.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Promote SP Julio Urias to Help in the Bullpen
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The Los Angeles Dodgers need help in the bullpen.
They also plan on once again limiting the innings of prized pitching prospect Julio Urias.
So why not kill two birds with one stone and promote Urias to help out in the bullpen?
According to J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group, the team has been considering doing just that, and it's a move they should pull the trigger on.
Still just 19, Urias has posted a 1.50 ERA, 0.800 WHIP and 9.9 K/9 in 30 innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
He could follow a similar path to Chris Sale, who began his MLB career pitching out of the bullpen for the Chicago White Sox before making the jump to the rotation and quickly emerging as an ace.
San Diego Padres: Promote 2B/SS Carlos Asuaje to Majors
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He wasn't the most-talked-about part of the four-player package the San Diego Padres received from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for closer Craig Kimbrel, but infielder Carlos Asuaje could be the first to reach the majors.
Asuaje, 24, was viewed more as a future utility player type than a legitimate everyday middle infielder at the time of the trade.
That may still wind up being the case, but with a .325/.357/.504 line in Triple-A that includes 13 extra-base hits, he's turned some heads.
Meanwhile, the Padres have been bit hard by the injury bug at their middle infield spots as Cory Spangenberg, Yangervis Solarte, Jemile Weeks and Alexi Amarista are all on the disabled list.
With Asuaje hitting the way he has, why not give him a chance to see what he can do at the highest level?
San Francisco Giants: Release SP Jake Peavy
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Jake Peavy is a fierce competitor and a terrific clubhouse presence, but his days as a viable MLB starter look like they might be passed.
He's allowed four or more runs in five of his seven starts, and has managed just one quality start on the year.
His last time out he walked five batters and needed 112 pitches to get through five innings, earning his third loss in as many decisions.
The Giants already have one rotation drag in Matt Cain, and considering the money he's still owed the team will likely try to squeeze something out of him even if it's eventually in a long relief role.
Peavy on the other hand is in the final year of his contract.
It would be a tough move to make with a well-respected veteran like Peavy, but taking a page out of the Chicago White Sox book and cutting him loose like they did with John Danks seems like the best course of action at this point.
All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs, unless otherwise noted.
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