The Athletics announced on Wednesday afternoon a few roster moves. Backup catcher Willie MacIver and right-handed reliever Michel Otañez were both claimed off waivers by the division-rival Texas Rangers, ending their brief tenures with the A’s:
In addition, relievers Anthony Maldonado and Ben Bowden have also elected to test free agency rather than accept an outright to Triple-A, while fellow relief pitcher Jared Shuster will be outrighted to Triple-A.
The loss of MacIver puts an early strain on the A’s catching depth. The now-29-year-old made his major league debut this season with the Athletics after tearing the cover off the ball down with the Aviators in the minors. His strong numbers in the hitter-friendly environment that is the PCL didn’t translate to the big leagues as he slashed just .186/.252/.324 in 33 games, though he did also run into three long balls in his first taste of The Show. He’ll now head across the division and serve as the Rangers’ catching depth.
With the loss of MacIver the A’s only have two true catchers on the 40-man roster in starter Shea Langeliers and veteran backup Austin Wynns. The club does also have former 1st-rounder Daniel Susac down in Triple-A, and he’ll need to be added to the 40-man roster soon to avoid being selected in the Rule 5 Draft that is quickly approaching. Still, it wouldn’t be surprising in the slightest if the A’s make a depth addition at some point this winter.
Otañez departs after two seasons in the Grene & Gold. The 28-year-old pitched well in his rookie campaign last season, getting into 36 games and posting a solid 3.97 ERA, with advanced stats saying he pitched even better than that. His sophomore campaign did not go as hoped however as he began the season on the IL with a sprained shoulder. Once the right-hander returned he just didn’t look quite the same and after six games he was optioned to Triple-A. He then suffered a setback and was out for almost all of June and July, then appearing in 11 games during the final two months of the year. He’ll now try to get back on track with the Rangers, who also need relief pitching.
The departures of Maldonado and Bowden hurt the pitching depth but aren’t backbreakers. Maldonado spent most of the year in Triple-A, with the righty only getting called up and pitching in six games for the big league squad and not impressing. The left-handed Bowden meanwhile got into 11 games with the A’s and even finished four contests. Unfortunately for him the injury bug bit him and ended his season early with a lat strain in mid-August. Both pitchers could be candidates to return on a minor league deal later this offseason but they’ll test the free agency waters first.
Shuster on the other hand is being outrighted off the 40-man roster for the first time and thus can not elect free agency. He’ll serve as left-handed bullpen depth that has a few years of major league experience under his belt.
The A’s 40-man roster now stands at 38, which means we have two spots left open for the time being. Once of those will likely be filled by a Rule 5 pick later in December but for now the A’s have some more roster flexibility.
