Active Athletics: Transactions Aplenty on Non-Tender Day
By Sean Davis
It’s hard to know where exactly to begin regarding the day’s activity for the Athletics. The organization saw some players come, some players go, and some stay right where they are in a flurry of activity. We’ll start with the arrival of the day.
October 2, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Chris Resop (30) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the eighth inning at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE
In a minor deal that could prove beneficial for the Athletics’ bullpen depth in 2013, the A’s acquired right handed reliever Chris (Not Jim as the official Twitter of the Athletics originally tweeted) Resop from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor league pitcher Zach Thornton. Resop is 30 years old, and spent the last 2+ seasons with the Pirates. He posted a 3.91 ERA last year in 73.2 innings of work with a rather high WHIP of 1.43. Resop is the type of reliever who won’t necessarily pitch in too many high leverage situations for the A’s, but will provide valuable as an innings eater at the back end. Thornton pitched for the Stockton Ports in 2013, and posted a 4.53 ERA in 53.2 innings, so he won’t be desperately missed.
The A’s said goodbye to a few players as well today. Reliever Jim Miller was claimed on waivers by the New York Yankees, his role will be filled by the aforementioned Chris Resop. The newly acquired Sandy Rosario was designated for assignment to make room on the 40 man roster for Resop, so his tenure with the Athletics will fall into the Edwin Encarnacion/Ryan Langerhans/Michael Barrett category. Sandy, we hardly knew ye. And finally the A’s non-tendered Jermaine Mitchell, officially cutting ties with the outfielder who had been designated for assignment just a couple days ago to make room for Sandy Rosario.
The team did agree to terms with a couple players as they signed Daric Barton to a $1.1 million contract per Susan Slusser. Barton’s deal is not guaranteed, so he won’t make that salary if he isn’t on the A’s active roster. He can make an additional $250K if he hits some built in incentives. Certainly Barton is a rather polarizing figure in the Athletics organization. He’s highly valued by those who appreciate his plate discipline and defensive ability, and he is loathed by those who think he needs to be more aggressive at the plate. I happen to fall in the latter category, and I can’t help but chalk this deal up to Billy Beane‘s fascination with Barton since he originally acquired him. Hopefully this isn’t come kind of indication that either Chris Carter or Brandon Moss will fall behind Barton on the depth chart.
The A’s also agreed to terms with Adam Rosales on a deal for 2013, though the terms were not disclosed. I have a personal affinity for Rosales because of his strong attitude and infectious hustle on the field. If the A’s don’t acquire another shortstop or resign Stephen Drew, I imagine Rosales will be in the mix with Andy Parrino, Eric Sogard, and perhaps the newly signed Scott Moore for playing time at short.
The A’s still have Brandon Moss, George Kottaras, Seth Smith, Jerry Blevins, and Chris Resop as their remaining unsigned arbitration eligible players. They have until February to come to terms on a deal or face the possibility of having a hearing between the team and the player to determine their 2013 salary. Assuredly there will be more activity soon as the Winter Meetings get under way on December 3rd.