The Oakland A's made a couple of transactions yesterday by claiming a couple of minor league right-handers off waivers, and to make room the A's designated Daric Barton and Travis Blackley for assignment.
Barton has been up and down for the last several years in Oakland. The first-base job has been his to lose for a while and, finally, the A's found a power hitter in Brandon Moss to replace Barton. Barton had a stellar glove in the field, but lacked production at the plate.
As for Blackley, he was claimed off waivers on May 15, 2012 after the Giants let him go. Blackley became a reliable arm in the bullpen and was good to make a spot start in the rotation when needed. Blackley ended up starting 15 games in 2012, going 6-4, and had an ERA of 3.86 in his 24 total appearances.
Among Blackley's 15 starts, he started the second-to-last game of the regular season against the Texas Rangers. The win kept the A's alive in the race for the AL West and led to their eventual division title in a sensational season.
That was last year, though, and the A's need to revamp their team to defend the division title in 2013. The A's stocked up on relief pitching over the offseason and Blackley, and his poor spring performance, became expendable in the eyes of the A's.
Blackley is out of options so he must clear waivers for the A's to be able to send him to Triple-A Sacramento. If Blackley does clear waivers, he must also accept the assignment to Sacramento. He tweeted what appears to be a goodbye letter to the A's and the fans as if to signal he isn't interested in playing in the minors to stay with the organization.
It is still possible that Blackley accepts the demotion to Triple-A and rejoins the team at some point in the regular season. It is also possible that Blackley joins a group of Jonny Gomes, Brandon Inge and Brandon McCarthy as guys who the A's had to let go.
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