Ryan Drese designated for assignment

by Adam J. Morris on Jun 8, 2005 4:08 PM CDT in News

Wow...

I thought he was in jeopardy, but I also thought he had an option left.

I assume that, at this point, the Rangers are going to try to run him through waivers and send him to the minors, under the assumption that no one is going to want to claim Drese and be on the hook for his contract.

Still, this is a pretty bold move. I assume RicRod is coming up on Saturday.

In the meantime, Ron Mahay has also been put on the d.l., Gary Matthews, Jr., has been activated, and Nick Regilio has been recalled.

I would assume that, when Saturday comes around, either Regilio or Marshall McDougall will be optioned back to AAA, although there is a chance that the Rangers could cut DeRosa loose.

Update [2005-6-8 17:36:26 by Adam J. Morris]: -- Also, per Jamey Newberg, Nick Masset has been removed from the 40 man roster, cleared waivers, and been outrighted to Frisco. Surprising, mainly because the organization seems to like Masset, notwithstanding his slow start, and there didn't seem much need to run him through waivers and remove him from the 40 man, given the current state of the roster.

Update [2005-6-8 18:17:16 by Adam J. Morris]: -- Update #2 -- T.R. Sullivan is reporting that Ricardo Rodriguez will be called up Sunday, to take Drese's spot in the rotation.

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Comments

Amazing

What exactly was Drese's contract, if you recall?

by hightowersmith on Jun 8, 2005 4:19 PM CDT reply actions

Drese contract

Two years, $2.5 million, with a club option for a third year at $3 million.

by Adam J. Morris on Jun 8, 2005 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Drese

The Hardline said he had an option left... Who knows if they are right though.

TR has a brief article up already:

The Rangers have designated right-handed pitcher Ryan Drese for assignment, placed Ron Mahay on the disabled list with a strained groin muscle, and recalled pitcher Nick Regilio from the minors to take Mahay's place.

They also recalled outfielder Gary Matthews off of the disabled list. He will be activited Wednesday night in place of Drese. Ricardo Rodriguez will be called up Sunday to join the rotation.

The Rangers' Opening Day starter, Drese is 4-6 with a 6.46 ERA, and 1-3 with an 8.28 ERA in his last five starts. Drese took the loss in Tuesday's game against the Phillies, allowing five runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings.

by PatrickWalz on Jun 8, 2005 4:21 PM CDT reply actions

Options

I'm almost certain that he does not have an option left.

This has to be a way to get him down to AAA, as no team will claim him with his contract and then they can outright him to Oklahoma.

by BurntOrange on Jun 8, 2005 4:23 PM CDT reply actions

You don't think he'll be claimed?

I would be very surprised if he isn't.

That contract is not that substantial for a young guy who has had one really good year.

by PatrickWalz on Jun 8, 2005 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions

More?

Thre isn't more going on behind the scenes that we don't know about is there? Yes, he's struggled, but this move seems a little extreme to me.

by Jarrett on Jun 8, 2005 4:23 PM CDT reply actions

He's a knucklehead...

...at least that's my impression. It took Chiti getting in his face to wake him up, maybe they're trying some more tough love here. Aside from the Barajas episode, haven't there been a couple of other incidents with this guy?

by bks on Jun 8, 2005 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Whoa!

That was pretty unexpected. I thought that last year would at least make him good to keep around in long relief. I wonder if it had anything to do with the scuffle with Barajas? Maybe Drese has quit listening?

Well, we'll see what Ricardo can do now. Big news.

by Redcaps on Jun 8, 2005 4:25 PM CDT reply actions

That contract should guarantee he stays at AAA

I'd be very surprised for anyone to claim him with that contract. I'd be very surprised if he was released. Probably a very good chance he gets to AAA. If it means R-Rod gets his rotation spot, this move is absolutely HUGE. It significantly increases our chances of winning the AL West.

by jamcadbury on Jun 8, 2005 4:38 PM CDT reply actions

Wow

Adam you da man - you called it. This is huge. Adam you do have to take back some of your vigor towards management not messing with their guys. This is bold. I like it. It shows a lot of cahunas to do this. RicRod will be up next for the next time through the rotation.

by Mike Simonek on Jun 8, 2005 4:46 PM CDT reply actions

Adam

AJM won't be happy unless Barajas is on the bus to OKC with Drese.

Hard to disagree of course.

by thomas @ Lone Star Ball on Jun 8, 2005 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions

(Bowing)

Thank you, thank you...

I thought he had an option left, but even without the option, I can't say I'm surprised.

You just got the sense that they were at the end of their rope with Drese...

by Adam J. Morris on Jun 8, 2005 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Message

This should definitely send a message to the rest of the rotation. Now... if the Rangers would just DFA Barajas and bring up Laird.

by Redcaps on Jun 8, 2005 4:49 PM CDT reply actions

The Hardline Are Idiots

First they say he has an option left which he doesn't though I am sure most of us thought the same thing. Now they are saying he can refuse the outright assignment. That's wrong because this is the first time Drese has been DFA. On the second DFA the player can refuse it and ask for unconditional release.

by Kevin McBrayer on Jun 8, 2005 5:02 PM CDT reply actions

This pleases me

by LoneStarBallUser on Jun 8, 2005 5:13 PM CDT reply actions

Hardline Idiots cont.

Hardline also said there's no way in hell he makes it through waivers, because someone will want a "young" pitcher for the league minimum.

Drese is not young and anyone that claims him has to pick up his salary. They disappoint me at all turns nowadays.

by jthig32 on Jun 8, 2005 5:36 PM CDT reply actions

I don't think they said that.

I think they have been pretty clear that if a team claims him in waivers they pick up his whole contract.

by PatrickWalz on Jun 8, 2005 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Hmmm

I know for a fact they mentioned that many teams would want him for the league minimum. Maybe that was while they were talking about what would happen if they released him, I don't know. But it certainly sounded to me like they were suggesting that he would certainly be claimed because of this.

by jthig32 on Jun 8, 2005 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions

They were talking about if he's released

Not that they havne't made quite a few errors today, but suggesting that a team could pick him up on waivers for the minimum isn't one of those errors.

by PatrickWalz on Jun 8, 2005 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Hardline

Perhaps they forgot Drese is 29?

But yes, I agree- their commentary would have been a lot more insightful if they hadn't gone crazy before having all the facts, particularly on the options issue.

by RCCook on Jun 8, 2005 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Holy crap.

I never expected them to do something like this, but I like the move.

by Athos on Jun 8, 2005 5:50 PM CDT reply actions

Wow

I think we were all saying that it was the right move, but I am surprised that the front office had the nads to make the move.

by texasraider on Jun 8, 2005 6:20 PM CDT reply actions

indeed

surprise the sh** outa me, too.

by Andrew F Medina on Jun 8, 2005 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions

R-Rod callup

If Sullivan proves to be correct, major kudos go to the front office for making a great move. Then again, you'd think it would be a fairly obvious move in a way, but the fact Texas isn't scared to take the chance on Drese really impresses me. Best case, he slides through waivers, goes to AAA and gets his issues worked out while R-Rod starts going off in Texas. There's still a good chance Astacio wears down at some point and that Drese will get another opportunity this season.

Leaving Benoit in the pen and bringing in R-Rod as the starter is a great move for this team.

by jamcadbury on Jun 8, 2005 7:06 PM CDT reply actions