Roster Moves (6/13): Draft Signings, Bergesen Optioned, Fox DFA’d

It was a slow day for baseball moves on June 13th. Really, the title says it all. More in-depth analysis after the jump.

AL East

The Baltimore Orioles optioned RHP-Brad Bergesen (24) to AAA Norfolk. The sinkerballer had an atrocious 14 K in 54 IP this year, and his 6.50 ERA was largely deserved. Bergesen simply never misses bats: hitters made contact on 92.5% of their swings against him, including a ridiculous 97.7% on pitches within the zone. To give a sense of context, the average on overall contact is 81% of swings and in-the-zone contact is 88%, so Bergesen is significantly below both marks. His future may ultimately be as a groundball specialist in the bullpen, where he could use his solid slider more and probably push his velocity into the low-90’s as well.

The Tampa Bay Rays signed 1st round pick C-Justin O’Connor (18) to a deal with a $1.025 million signing bonus. O’Connor was the 31st overall pick in this year’s draft, and is considered a plus defender behind the plate, particularly in throwing out runners.

The Boston Red Sox also signed a high draft pick–in this case, supplemental first round OF-Bryce Brentz (21). The outfielder from Middle Tennessee State will report to short-season Lowell after agreeing to an $892, 000 bonus.

AL Central

No moves to report.

AL West

The Oakland A’s designated C/1B/3B/OF-Jake Fox (27) for assignment following his putrid .214/.264/.327 performance. The utility player had a banner half-season in AAA Iowa in the Cubs’ system last year (.409/.495/.841 with 17 HR in 45 games), and held his own with the Cubs (.259/.311/.468 with 11 HR in 82 games), but Fox is tough to make room for on a roster. He can hit, but not well enough to be a real bone-crushing DH, and he’s considered an awful defender at all five positions he plays. As a bat-only player, the sub-.600 OPS simply wasn’t going to cut it, even on an offense-starved A’s team. The A’s tried using Fox as a platoon player against LHPs, but he’s actually had a reverse platoon split in his short career, which didn’t help matters.

NL East

No moves to report.

NL Central

No moves to report.

NL West

No moves to report.

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