Brewers claim RHP Josh Ravin from Reds; DFA Blake Lalli

[djoctagone]

Career stats

 

the brewers claimed rhp josh ravin from the reds today. 2013 was his first year on a 40-man roster, so he'll enter 2014 spring training with two minor league options remaining.

 

to make room on the 40-man, blake lalli was designated for assignment. because this is the second time he's been outrighted off a 40-man roster, he can elect free agency.

 

the 40-man roster remains full.

[paul253]

Not exactly sure what the Brewers see in him.

[jerichoholicninja]

I'm sure he throws hard which seems to be a prerequisite to be given a chance to pitch. Nevermind that he can't seem to find the strikezone very often.

[Mass Haas]

Via MLB.com:

 

The Brewers on Thursday claimed right-hander Josh Ravin off waivers from the Reds. To make room for Ravin, they designated catcher/first baseman Blake Lalli for assignment. Ravin, a fifth-round Draft pick of the Reds in 2006, had an ERA over 5.00 in each of the past three seasons, but he is a hard thrower in the Joe Nathan mold who touches triple digits at times. The Brewers view him as a change-of-scenery candidate, and have had success with more "advanced" pitchers in recent seasons (John Axford, Jim Henderson ). Ravin -- pronounced like the black bird -- will be 26 in January.

 

***

 

Ravin, drafted out of high school, has eight seasons of pro ball under his belt. That's enough service time, so that should he be designated for assignment during the offseason or next spring training, that service time should allow him to choose free agency if he wishes. At that point, the Brewers would have already determined he wasn't in their plans, so not a big deal, or they could convince Ravin to stay in the system regardless.

 

But that's getting ahead of things -- he's Joe Nathan!

[torts]

Via MLB.com:

 

The Brewers on Thursday claimed right-hander Josh Ravin off waivers from the Reds. To make room for Ravin, they designated catcher/first baseman Blake Lalli for assignment. Ravin, a fifth-round Draft pick of the Reds in 2006, had an ERA over 5.00 in each of the past three seasons, but he is a hard thrower in the Joe Nathan mold who touches triple digits at times. The Brewers view him as a change-of-scenery candidate, and have had success with more "advanced" pitchers in recent seasons (John Axford, Jim Henderson ). Ravin -- pronounced like the black bird -- will be 26 in January.

 

***

 

Ravin, drafted out of high school, has eight seasons of pro ball under his belt. That's enough service time, so that should he be designated for assignment during the offseason or next spring training, that service time should allow him to choose free agency if he wishes. At that point, the Brewers would have already determined he wasn't in their plans, so not a big deal, or they could convince Ravin to stay in the system regardless.

 

But that's getting ahead of things -- he's Joe Nathan!

 

[sarcasm]he's got two first names?[/sarcasm]

[brewmann04]

Unless the Find someone who can teach these hard throwers to throw strikes it does not matter how hard they throw.

[Roderick]

I don't understand the angst. Lalli was off the 40 man anyways. And if we find someone better or when it comes time to protect our own players from the minors, we can always drop Ravin.

 

My question is do they bring him in for the last handful of games so that they can see him in person before they have to make the hard 40 man roster decisions?

[Outlander]

I don't think there is any angst, probably wouldn't be a bad idea to bring him up to evaluate since there are no minor league teams playing.

[jerichoholicninja]

There's no angst for getting rid of Lalli. It's for bringing in a pitcher who has shown nothing in his career so far to take a 40 man spot.

[brewmann04]

Another big arm who has control issues seems the brewers are hoping one will turn the corner.

[reillymcshane]

I assume the Brewers are looking to strike lightning like with Axford and Henderson. Perhaps they have seen him, and feel his mechanics can be worked corrected, and thus harness the power he reputably has.

[Thurston Fluff]

There's no angst for getting rid of Lalli. It's for bringing in a pitcher who has shown nothing in his career so far to take a 40 man spot.

 

Who cares if is he is taking a 40 man spot if Lalli was the alternative? Time enough to remove him from it when there is someone more worthy in need of it. I also think throwing hard is showing something. Control is something that can be learned. Throwing hard not so much.