Today is a big day when it comes to roster moves around Major League Baseball. Teams have until 8PM ET tonight to tender contracts to players for the 2020 season, or to allow them to become free agents. There have already been several trades made around the league as teams try to get something for players they weren’t going to keep around. But at least so far, the Cincinnati Reds haven’t been in on any of that action. What they have done is agreed to terms on a 1-year deal with outfielder Travis Jankowski. Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer had the details first, noting that it’s for $1,050,000 for the 2020 season. MLB Trade Rumors projected him to get $1.2M in arbitration for next season.
At the end of October the Reds acquired Travis Jankowski from the Padres for sending San Diego some international signing bonus pool space. He didn’t spend much time in the Major Leagues in 2019, playing in 25 games but getting just 22 at-bats for San Diego. He’s played in parts of five seasons in the big leagues, hitting .241/.317/.318. In both 2016 and 2018 he saw 380+ plate appearances, but in his other three seasons he’s seen fewer than 100 with the Padres.
During the 2019 season he was injured and missed plenty of time. He did spend 39 games in Triple-A El Paso, hitting .313/.393/.350. He is a career .324/.406/.387 hitter at the Triple-A level. The outfielder has some speed, and he’s shown a good plate approach in the minor leagues. His track record in the Major Leagues is a bit of a wild card, though. In his two full seasons he’s posted a .332 on-base percentage, though without much power at all. In the years in which he didn’t get much playing time he posted sub .300 on-base percentages. He is out of options and will need to stick tot he roster out of spring training or be placed on waivers.
Jimmy Herget claimed on waivers by Texas
The Reds also just announced that right-handed reliever Jimmy Herget has been claimed on waivers by the Texas Rangers. Herget was designated for assignment last week when Cincinnati required additional room on their 40-man roster. The reliever was originally a 6th round selection in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft by the Reds out of the University of Southern Florida. He dominated in the minor leagues for Cincinnati, posting a 2.80 ERA in 266.1 innings with 314 strikeouts. This past season he reached the Major Leagues and allowed three runs in 6.1 innings for Cincinnati.
Obviously, the Reds know way more than me, but I’m still surprised that they designated Herget for assignment. Doug, if it had been your decision, would you have made the same move with Herget?
never have understood the reluctance to give Hergett a extended look at major league level. We’ll see if Rangers got a steal. Does this mean BTW that all NL teams passed on him?
Yes, it appears that every team in the NL passed.
Like the others, I was hoping Herget would be able to stay. He seemed to do well in the minors and well on his way up here.
yep liked herget
I like the Jankowski signing. Inexpensive, capable of playing center and has some major league experience. Not too worried about Herget. It didn’t seem like he was going to miss many bats at the big league level. I do hope he gets a better chance with Texas.