Arizona Diamondbacks Waive Goodbye To Russell Branyan

According to Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic, the Arizona Diamondbacks have released 1B Russell Branyan. Branyan hit .210/.290/.339 with one HR in 69 plate appearances.

Branyan was made expendable because the Diamondbacks needed to make room for Micah Owings on the 40-man roster. He is only one year removed from hitting 19 HRs in 322 PAs against right-handed pitching, so there will be a team out there that could use someone like Branyan.

Teams that might show an interest in Branyan are:

Cleveland Indians: With Travis Hafner out 2-to-3 weeks, the Indians could use a left-handed bat against righties.

Toronto Blue Jays: Adam Lind is on the DL, so the Blue Jays could look to Branyan. Last night they started Eric Thames at DH.

New York Mets: The Mets reached .500 last night and they could use another 1B and a power hitter off the bench.

Tampa Bay Rays: The legend of Sam Fuld is dying on the vine and the only 1B on the roster is Casey Kotchman.

Cincinnati Reds: The Reds' only lefty off the bench is Fred Lewis. Like the Mets, they could use a power left-handed bat off the bench.