Charlie Wilmouth of MLB Trade Rumors breaks down a trade between the Orioles and the Dodgers late last week where the Dodgers acquired reliever Ryan Webb (his transactions so far this season are a story in themselves and mentioned in the article), catcher Brian Ward, and a Competitive Balance Round B draft pick for pitcher Ben Rowen and catcher Chris O'Brien. Not exactly an Earth shattering deal on paper but the story is in the dollars. Webb was owed $2.75 million this season and Baltimore had already DFA'd him but the salary still sticks.
This is of course until deep pocketed Los Angeles comes calling with an extra $2.75 million to burn and essential swapped spare parts while essentially buying a draft pick. Those of us who are Sixers fans have seen this story all season with Sam Hinkie inheriting expensive contracts along with draft picks and then cutting the players lose. The Dodgers followed the lead and have released Webb who was signed by the Indians last night.
The Japan Times has reported the Hiroshima Carp have signed former Phillies outfielder Nate Schierholtz to $1.16 million contract. While never quite panning out in the big leagues, Schierholtz did flash some power hitting 21 homers for the 2013 Cubs.
For those wondering what became of the Phillies Rule 5 Draft Pick Andy Oliver, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports that he has signed a one year minor league contract with the Rays.
While we dwell on ex-Phillies, Jeff Sullivan of Fangraphs wonders if Anthony Gose's time has come. Gose, a one time promising prospect in the Phillies system who was shipped out to Houston in the Roy Oswalt trade in 2010. has been traded to various organizations but since landing in Detroit, he has fit right into their already potent line up, hitting .391 so far in the early season.
