Bogusevic, De Leon, Shuck elect free agency

The Astros have announced that outfielders Brian Bogusevic, J.B. Shuck and pitcher Jorge De Leon have all elected free agency after refusing their outright assignments.

Bogusevic spent most of the 2012 season as Houston's primary right fielder, hitting .203 in 404 plate appearances. Shuck hit .298 in 358 Triple-A plate appearances. Jorge De Leon spent the whole season in High-A, posting a 7.70 ERA in 40 appearances, 14 of which were starts.

Analysis: The Astros really won't be impacted by any of these moves. Bogusevic wasn't anything special, and only got playing time I'm assuming because the Astros were giving him an audition at the everyday job. I see him more as an everyday player. Shuck has some upside so a team should take a flier on him. De Leon had a solid rookie season in the minor leagues, but his terrible 2012 season will scare off plenty of teams.

Ishikawa elects free agency

The Brewers have announced that first-baseman Travis Ishikawa has refused his outright assignment and will elect free agency. Ishikawa was outrighted off of Milwaukee's 40 man roster yesterday.


Ishikawa hit .257 in 94 games for Milwaukee last season. He served mostly as the backup first-baseman, but saw more playing time after Mat Gamel went down with a knee injury.

Analysis: Ishikawa hasn't really taken that step that we've all expected him to take. We thought that he was going to be the starting first baseman for the Giants, but his offensive game held him back. Also the development of Brandon Belt and Brett Pill pushed him out of San Francisco. It isn't surprising that he cleared waivers, because like I said his offensive abilities are really limited right now.

Loe, Morgan elect free agency

The Brewers have announced that pitcher Kameron Loe and outfielder Nyjer Morgan have refused their outright assignments to the minor leagues and will elect free agency. Milwaukee outrighted Morgan off the 40 man roster yesterday.

Both players were eligible for arbitration this coming off-season, but were considered non-tender candidates. Loe posted a 4.61 ERA in 70 appearances in 2012, while Morgan hit just .239 in 322 plate appearances in 2012.

Analysis: This isn't surprising at all. Loe is a power pitcher who I think can be seen as a reclamation project, considering that he has had some success in the past. Morgan's value has taken a huge hit since that magical 2011 season, and it doesn't surprise me that he is refusing his outright assignment because of his attitude problems.

Braves outright Boscan, Fish to Triple-A, Boscan elects free agency

The Braves have announced that catcher J.C. Boscan and pitcher Robert Fish have cleared waivers and will be outrighted to Triple-A. However, Boscan has refused his outright assignment and will elect free agency.

Boscan hit .200 with 2 RBI in a brief stint with the Braves in 2012. Fish did not pitch in 2012, and last played with the Angels' Double-A affiliate in 2011, posting a 3.26 ERA in 24 appearances.

Analysis: Well Boscan isn't really a great player-catching depth at best. Fish wasn't healthy but is probably a bullpen arm at best when healthy, so neither of these moves will make a big impact on the team.

Veras clears waivers, elects free agency

The Brewers have announced that pitcher Jose Veras has elected to become a free agent after clearing waivers and refusing his outright assignment.

Veras posted a 3.63 ERA in 72 appearances with Milwaukee in 2012. He originally came over to the Brewers in exchange for Casey McGehee last off-season.

Analysis: Veras is an above-average bullpen arm who will probably get picked up. The Brewers should really try to re-sign him because their bullpen needs to be upgraded. g

McGehee elects free agency

The Yankees have announced that infielder Casey McGehee has refused his outright assignment to the minor leagues and will elect free agency.

McGehee spent the 2012 season with the Pirates and Yankees, hitting .217 in 352 plate appearances. He has experience at third base and first base.

Analysis: McGehee was a decent third baseman a few years ago with Milwaukee, but is really a bench player at this point. He has some pop to his bat, but I wouldn't really call him a good platoon player because he doesn't have significant lefty-righty splits. He'll sign a minor league deal with someone.

Germano elects free agency

The Cubs have announced that pitcher Justin Germano has cleared waivers and will refuse his outright assignment, therefore electing free agency. Germano was acquired from Boston in exchange for cash considerations back in July.

Germano posted a 6.75 ERA in 12 starts and one relief appearance for Chicago last season. He also made 16 starts and one relief appearance for Boston's Triple-A affiliate, posting a 2.40 ERA.

Analysis: Germano is really a #5 pitcher on a bad team at best. Pitching depth at its finest, but I'm sure he'll get a minor league deal from someone.

Braden, Devine elect free agency

The Athletics have announced that pitchers Dallas Braden and Joey Devine have elected free agency after refusing their outright assignments to the minor leagues.

Braden missed the entire 2012 season following Tommy John surgery. The 29 year old southpaw had a great season in 2010, posting a 3.50 ERA in 30 starts.

Devine missed the entire 2012 season following Tommy John surgery. He has pitched out of the bullpen during his entire career, and had a great season in 2008, posting a 0.59 ERA in 42 appearances.

Analysis: Braden will be a good reclamation project, because we all know how good he can be when healthy. He is also a left handed pitcher, so that up's his value as well. Devine is also a decent reclamation project, but I honestly see him as a setup man at best.

P.J. Walters elects free agency

The Twins have announced that pitcher P.J. Walters has elected free agency after refusing his outright assignment to the minor leagues. Minnesota outrighted him off the 40 man roster last week.

Walters started 12 games for the Twins in 2012, posting a 5.69 ERA in 61 2/3 innings.

Analysis: Walters did not really pitch well in 2012 and I don't expect him to really make an impact with whatever team he signs with.

Moseley, Stauffer elect free agency

The Padres have announced that pitchers Dustin Moseley and Tim Stauffer have cleared waivers and will elect to become free agents. Both pitchers were eligible for arbitration, but were non-candidates due to their shaky injury histories.

Moseley had a good 2011 season, but missed the last month of the season following a dislocated shoulder. Moseley only made one start in 2012, and underwent surgery on his throwing shoulder early on in the season.

Stauffer was with the Padres for his entire career, ever since he was their first round draft selection in 2003. He had a good 2011 season, posting a 3.73 ERA in 31 starts. Like Moseley, Stauffer has had the injury bug hit him, and it limited him to one start in 2012. He eventually underwent elbow surgery in August, and reportedly like to return to San Diego on a minor league contract.

Analysis: Alright this is actually a lot to take in here. Moseley is a decent pitcher whose stats were probably made better from pitching in PETCO Park during the 2011 season. He is a decent reclamation-project type signing, and is a former first round pick so he does have upside, but his arm has been through a lot, so proceed with caution. I've never been a big fan of Stauffer, but I am actually quite excited to see how much interest he gets. He is an ideal reclamation project, because he has the upside and is a solid pitcher when healthy. The problem is the guy is never on the field. I wouldn't be surprised if he returns to San Diego on a minor league deal just to get his value back up and ready for next off-season.

Thompson elects free agency

The Rays have announced that outfielder Rich Thompson has cleared waivers and will elect free agency instead of accepting his outright assignment to the minor leagues.

Thompson hit .091 in a brief (24 plate appearances) stint with the Rays in 2012. He hit .311 in 282 Triple-A plate appearances.

Analysis: Thompson really seems like a Quadruple-A player and with that in mind this won't be a major loss. He is probably a number #5 outfielder or so anyway, so I don't think the Rays will be affected by this.

Manny Corpas elects free agency

The Cubs have announced that pitcher Manny Corpas has elected free agency after he was left off of the Cubs' 40 man roster. Corpas was arbitration eligible, but was a non-tender candidate due to his poor performance.

Corpas posted a 5.01 ERA in 48 relief appearances during the 2012 season.

Analysis: Corpas was a decent reliever with Colorado but I don't see this being a big loss for Chicago. He isn't the pitcher that he once was, and the Cubs really don't need him since they are looking to get younger.

Mariners release Kawasaki

The Mariners have released infielder Munenori Kawasaki. Seattle's roster now contains 39 (out of 40) players.

Kawasaki signed a minor league deal worth $625k with Seattle back in January, and proved to be a bust for the Mariners. He hit .192 in 115 big league plate appearances, and played mostly the middle infield positions.

Analysis: Kawasaki is just another failed Japanese import, simply because the guy just couldn't hit. Luckily it was only $625k, and nothing too earth shattering from a baseball standpoint. He'll probably just return to Japan and have success there.

Padres release Micah Owings

The Padres have announced that they have released pitcher Micah Owings. Owings will officially become a free agent if/when he clears release waivers.

Owings would have been eligible for arbitration had San Diego not released him. However, he was most likely looking at a non-tender considering that he hasn't been healthy. He appeared in six games in 2012, and underwent season ending elbow surgery earlier in the year.

Analysis: Owings is a pitcher that hasn't been able to live up to his hype, or even pitch well at the pitcher friendly confines of PETCO Park. There was a rumor that he will convert himself to a full-time hitter when he returns in action next year, and I think that is the best move. He really can't pitch, and is a long man at best.

Murphy elects free agency

The Marlins have announced that utility player Donnie Murphy has rejected his outright assignment to the minor leagues and will become a free agent.

The Marlins outrighted Murphy to the minor leagues two days ago after he hit .216 in 129 plate appearances with them in 2012. He played second base, third base and shortstop as well.

Analysis: Murphy is a player that I would actually want on my team, simply because he is so versatile.  He really isn't the greatest hitter, but his versatility makes up for it and with that in mind, he'll definitely get a contract from someone.

Accardo elects free agency

The Athletics have announced that relief pitcher Jeremy Accardo has cleared waivers and will refuse his outright assignment to the minor leagues, therefore becoming a free agent.

Accardo posted a 4.82 ERA in 37 1/3 innings with Cleveland and Oakland in 2012.

Analysis: I've always thought of Accardo as a decent relief pitcher, simply because he had some success when he was with Toronto a few years ago. He is capable of being a good setup man, but I guess injuries have just held him back. I'm sure he'll sign a minor league deal with someone because he is a good reclamation project.

Lewis outrighted to minor leagues, will elect free agency

The Mets announced that outfielder Fred Lewis has been outrighted to the minor leagues. However, he will supposedly reject his outright assignment and elect free agency.

Lewis hit .150 in a brief stint (18 games) with the Mets in 2012 as a September call-up.

Analysis: Lewis is a decent fourth outfielder but I don't think the Mets will miss him too much. He looked really promising when he first came up with San Francisco, but couldn't really stay healthy and resorted to a part time role. I'm sure he'll sign a minor league deal with someone, but I don't know how much playing time he'll actually get.

Green elects free agency

The Marlins have announced that infielder Nick Green has refused his outright assignment to the minor leagues and will elect free agency. Miami outrighted Green to Triple-A yesterday.

Green appeared in seven games for Miami in 2012, playing second base, third base and shortstop.

Analysis: Well you can't blame Green I guess he doesn't want his career to rot in the minor leagues. I believe that if he stayed with the Marlins, he would have gotten the opportunity to make the Opening Day roster as a bench player, but whatever. The guy can't hit, and his versatility can only take him so far.

Carroll, Maldonado elect free agency

The Nationals have announced that outfielder Brett Carroll and catcher Carlos Maldonado have refused their outright assignments to the minor leagues and will become free agents. 

Carroll spent most of the year in Triple-A, hitting .250 with 10 homers in 111 games while playing all three outfield positions. Maldonado spent the majority of the year in Triple-A as well, hitting .210 in 51 games.

Analysis: Carroll is a fourth outfielder at best but is versatile and has some pop to his bat. Maldonado got a little playing time with the Nationals because of the Wilson Ramos injury, and showed that he really couldn't hit but was an average defensive catcher. He is really a third string catcher at best. 

Johnson elects free agency

The Mets have announced that catcher Rob Johnson has been outrighted off of the 40 man roster and will become a free agent.

Johnson hit .250 in 58 plate appearances with New York in 2012. He spent the majority of the season in Triple-A, hitting .207 in 45 games.

Analysis: Johnson is a good defensive catcher but offensive problems have really held back his development. With that being said, he'll probably sign a minor league deal with someone again to become their backup catcher, if he's lucky.