Roster Moves Galore
Posted June 12th, 2007 by Stephanie Storm
The Aeros made SEVEN roster moves the last wo days - a few just paper moves, but moves none the less.
Ready? Here goes:
Right-hander NICK PESCO was sent to high Class-A Kinston, catcher WYATT TOREGAS was placed on the Disabled List with a lower back strain, catcher DAVID WALLACE joined the team from Triple A Buffalo, right-hander CLIFF POLITTE was added to the roster from his rehab assignment, left-hander CHUCK LOFGREN returned to the Aeros from short-season Mahoning Valley, pitcher LUIS VALDEZ was transferred back to low Class-A Lake County and infielder CRISTO ARNAL was sent to Extended Spring Training.
Got all that? Hopefully, this helps:
Pesco was once again overmatched at Double-A (he was last year as well). H’s got some things to work on so doing it at Kinston makes more sense than getting his brains beat in by more experienced hitters.
I had a feeling something was wrong with Toregas since he hadn’t played in two days - I wonder if the back injury isn’t from the akward slide into second over the weekend. Originally, it looked like he really hurt his ankle, but the next day when I talked to him, he told me he felt fine. Backs are tricky (I know personally), so hopefully, it’s nothing too serious.
Doesn’t it figure, though, that as soon as backup catcher Javi Herrera is traded, Toregas goes down? That’s O.K. with Armando Camacaro activated, but it’ll be interesting to see if (former Aero) David Wallace becomes the main catcher until Toregas returns or is just with the team as a back up plan. Unfortunately, since neither Camacaro or Wallace can hit, neither are in the Tribe future plans. However, the Indians brass is increasingly getting higher on Toregas, as evidenced by the willingness to let Herrera go for essentially nothing.
Politte’s move is merely a paper move. The only difference is that now he counts against the team’s active roster, which is why Pesco had to be moved.
Lofgren’s transfer was also a paper move as he’s been with the team since returning from his spot start Friday in Buffalo, but he didn’t need to be activated (and thus count against the roster) until it was his turn to pitch again.
With Lofgren back on the active roster, Valdez returned to Lake County. He was only up to help the tired bullpen for a few days until Lofgren needed to be put back on the roster.
Lastly, Arnal simply sounds like a guy without a team and was bumped to extended S.T. with no where else to go until Mahoning Valley’s season gets underway June 19th.
June 12th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Cliff Politte.. Incredible to see his career meet with the Akron Aeros. This is the same pitcher that went 7-1 with a 2.00 ERA for the Chicago White Sox just two years ago during their championship seasons.
June 13th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Hey Stephanie,
What’s the story with JD Martin? I seem to recall he went on the DL with elbow problems (again) a few weeks back. I thought he’d have a great year since I think it’s been a year and a half at least since his TJ surgery. Any updates?
Love the blog btw.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Matthew - J.D. is indeed having right elbow problems. Since Indianst officials didn’t put him on the DL right away, it makes me think he felt a little something and they shut him down quickly out of precaution.
That of course, doesn’t mean it isn’t something major - as you know Martin’s struggled with staying healthy a majority of his career.
I can’t help but think of a story I read in Indians Ink - a fine Indians publication put out Frank Derry - in which Martin’s dad was quoted as bragging about teaching his son how to throw a top notch curve ball at age 8.
Makes for great story fodder until that same kid’s pro’s career never gets off the ground more than likely because of it.
June 16th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Stephanie,
It will be interesting to see who ends up as “starting” catcher and who ends up as back-up. Dave and Armando both can hit, just not consistently
Wyatt is all that and a bag of chips, as the saying goes. He hits, he runs the game well from behind the plate, he is a good defensive player, and he is very fan-friendly.
Would be too bad if J.D.’s problems resulted from that early experience, he really is a good pitcher when healthy. Saw him charting a week or so ago with a sleeve on. Hope he gets back soon.
Was way surprised to see Arnal on the roster in that last home stand……who is he???
June 17th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Hi Stephanie,
Nice blog. I have a serious feeling that the moves aren’t really over. Ramirez looks to be a lock to move up from Kinston to be the primary catcher. He might not improve the defense but the offense will love him. Don’t be too shocked if Hodges joins him since I expect the Aeros are going to lose two or three big bats soon.
June 18th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Hi Norman. No doubt were just beginning to absorb the moves that fuel this time of the year. We haven’t even hit the All-Star break yet, and thus, the trading deadline. So, stay tuned.
I’m well aware that Max Ramirez is doing well at Kinston - he’s a recently named All-Star. I interviewed him last year while he was at Lake County, and he’s a good kid with a good idea of what he can do and needs to do.
But at this point, I think the general concensus is that his bat is a bit ahead of his catching abilities (remember the Braves had moved him to third base when he was traded for Bob Wickman mid-way through the season last year), so I don’t think he’s moving up to Akron anytime soon this year - maybe not at all (barring anything crazy happening).
Besides, Akron’s Wyatt Toregas nees to finish strong at Double-A - especially since he’s been annoited “the next catcher” via the Javier Herrera trade. Currently, Toregas is batting .255 in 44 games and is currently on the DL - so let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.
I do agree with your idea that 3B Wes Hodges is close to joining Akron - my guess (perhaps hope) is after the All-Star break. He’s batting .325 with in 44 games with the K-Tribe and Pat Osborn is likely on thin ice with the Aeros. As much as a lot of us hate to admit it, Osborn needs to be playing better offensively and defensively.
Lastly, we have to keep in mind that as much as we’ve gotten used to winning at the Double-A level, Kinston has won even more (they just clinched the Carolina League first-half title, making it their seventh consecutive season they’ve made it to the playoffs). So, the Indians’ brass will keep them as well stocked as they do Akron. And that’s quite a balancing act to pull off.