Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

by emil minty on Mar 23, 2008 4:18 PM EDT

Castrovince reporting here that Craig Breslow, 27 year old LHP, has been claimed off waivers from the sawx and added to the 40-man.

Stats here, note the sharp AAA #s from 2006.

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Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

[UPDATE]
Looks like he's had two brief stints in the majors in '05 and '06, neither were particularly pretty. Game logs here and here.

here are some peripherals from last year at AAA pawtucket, doesn't look like is '07 numbers are up yet on minorleaguesplit.

by emil minty on Mar 23, 2008 4:35 PM EDT 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

Interesting detail is that the Indians are the last team out of 29 who get to put in a claim -- meaning that the other 28 teams all passed. If the Indians put him through the same outright waivers next week, he probably clears, and we get to outright him to Buffalo.

by Jay on Mar 23, 2008 4:36 PM EDT 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

Good point. They may wait until the last minute to make a decision -- maybe take a look at how he does in a couple of games before they finalize their roster. They may also test the waters on what would happen if they waive Fultz. If he clears, they can send him down (unless he has the right to refuse?); if there's a nibble, they could explore a trade with the interested team. Not exactly high stakes stuff, but having a situational lefty would be a real asset.

by peter m on Mar 23, 2008 4:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

We know you don't like Fultz. But please be realistic. He's not going to be waived before the season starts.

by supermarioelia on Mar 23, 2008 11:46 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

He just was informed they're not keeping him. Realism or dream, it's the right move.

by peter m on Mar 24, 2008 1:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

They obviously were looking for somebody to replace Fultz, and dropped him when they found the replacement.

by palcal on Mar 24, 2008 2:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

This re-outrighting makes good sense considering Julio or Elarton will likely need a 40-man spot in the next week.

by supermarioelia on Mar 23, 2008 11:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

man. how could they not be planning to do that?

by Brick. on Mar 24, 2008 10:26 AM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

This is a weird time of the season for rosters...it's possible by next week a team which didn't have an open spot for them now will have one by then. I'm sure the Red Sox, in part, chose now to outright the guy in hopes he would sneak through for just that reason.

by APV on Mar 24, 2008 10:30 AM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

That said...I'm all for acquiring lefty relievers with high K-rates for the low low price of $25K

by APV on Mar 24, 2008 10:31 AM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

I know thats the smart play, creating depth, but I see a Fultz DFA coming, getting this guy in the majors.

by 7foot3 on Mar 24, 2008 11:17 AM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

So does Andy Call

http://www.cantonrep.com/blogs/?cat=13

by ovss13 on Mar 24, 2008 11:20 AM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

Hoynes reporting the same thing.

by mplswahoo on Mar 24, 2008 11:22 AM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

I owe an apology to peter m. I'm sorry for jumping on you when you suggested this.

I'm still quite surprised though. He looked fine in his last appearance.

by supermarioelia on Mar 24, 2008 11:29 AM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

I'm just filled to the brim with mistakes lately. Apparently he allowed four runs in two innings of an intrasquad game against Akron last week.

Just goes to show you why we don't get to run the team from our computers by watching mlb.tv.

I'm really interested to see what his lefty-righty splits are for the spring. It seems like they've almost been testing him against righties far more than they would during the season, just to see if he can stay above some respectable threshold against righties. Because while a LOOGY is a good idea in theory, you can't have a guy avoid pitching to right-handed batters all season. They must believe that Fultz is nowhere close to major-league calibre against righties right now. And even from what I've seen I would have to agree.

by supermarioelia on Mar 24, 2008 11:43 AM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

for the link-lazy

We were just told Aaron Fultz is not going to be on the club. He will likely be designated for assignment later today, and newly acquired Craig Breslow will be given the first crack at making the roster as the second left-hander in the bullpen.

General Manager Mark Shapiro also said Cliff Lee will be the No. 5 starter. Aaron Laffey and Jeremy Sowers have been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.

The final bullpen spot hasn't been officially announced, but I have a VERY strong suspicion it will be given to veteran right-hander Jorge Julio.

I like all of the above decisions.

by Brick. on Mar 24, 2008 11:33 AM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

So I guess Fultz is officially out of the Circle of Trust and joining the island of misfits (saying 'hi' to some old friends like K-brera and J Davis)

by APV on Mar 24, 2008 11:48 AM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

Seems that way. The logical next question would be if he has any trade value.

by NickFantana on Mar 24, 2008 12:30 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

I'd guess that the Indians would happy if someone claimed him off waivers, so that they don't have to pay his 2008 salary. Getting a player or cash on top of that would be a bonus.

by Ryan on Mar 24, 2008 12:46 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

Thanks for that, it helps me set the bar when watching to see what happens to him....

...so I can be excited when we trade him to the Yankees for a C+ prospect.

by NickFantana on Mar 24, 2008 1:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

This is what I was wondering in the other thread. If another team claims him, do they take on his entire salary, or just the minimum-for-his-service-time portion?

I guess it has to be the entire salary, hence the drama about the Red Sox putting Manny on waivers a few years ago and basically demonstrating to him that no other team was willing to pay his salary.

So are there any circumstances where a team wouldn't be responsible for a player's full salary after picking him up? Maybe if Fultz clears waivers but refuses his assignment to the minors or something? I would think in that case he would forfeit his entire contract though.

Ahh, such are the minutiae of early spring.

by mrich on Mar 24, 2008 3:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

I am sure Jay will confirm the actuals .... but IIRC, it goes like this.

As Fultz is a veteran, he cannot be shipped off to the minors without his consent.

Therefore, when we place him on waivers, if another team claims him, they take on his contract as is.

If nobody claims him (I doubt anyone will), he becomes a free agent. If anybody signs him once he is a free agent, they only have to pay him the prorated minimum salary for whatever time he is on their 25 man roster. Whatever that prorated salary is, comes off what the Tribe owes on his guaranteed salary, they pay the balance.

by talonk on Mar 24, 2008 4:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

Thanks. So basically, let's hope somebody claims him on waivers.

And if he's not claimed, let's hope that at least the Tigers sign him so we can benefit from his suckitude while we're paying most of his salary.

by mrich on Mar 24, 2008 4:06 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

Fultz will not necessarily be a free agent if he passes through waivers. He may choose to be a free agent or he may choose to go down to Buffalo if the Indians offer him that alternative. I doubt he will choose to go to Buffalo, but I'm sure every other team has seen what the Indians have seen this spring, and he may take the opportunity to go down to Buffalo and pitch his way through whatever is bothering him if the Indians offer that alternative.

Free Andy Marte!

Pronk Needs You

by woodsmeister on Mar 24, 2008 4:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Breslow claimed off waivers, added to 40

As Fultz had more than 5 years (ml service of 7.127) he cannot be sent down without his consent.

Sure if the Tribe asks him to go to Buffalo and he wants to, he can. My guess is he tries to hook up with another team desperate for bullpen help. Even if he starts in the minors for them (think Elarton), whatever his ml salary with that team would still come off what the Tribe owes him.

by talonk on Mar 24, 2008 4:24 PM EDT up 0 recs