Josh Kroeger Released by D'Backs

[boondockdrunk]

http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.co...ent_id=1292298&vkey=pr_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi

Outfielder Josh Kroeger was claimed off waivers by the Phillies from Arizona, Vice President & General Manager Pat Gillick announced today.

Kroeger, 23, hit .261 last year with 14 home runs, 62 RBI and 17 stolen bases for triple-A Tucson. A left-handed batter, he finished the season with a nine-game hitting streak, batting .429 (15-35) during the streak.

Originally selected by Arizona in the fourth round of the 2000 draft, Kroeger has appeared in 22 major league games, all with the Diamondbacks in 2004. In limited play, he hit .167 (9-54) with two RBI.

With the acquisition of Kroeger, the Phillies are now at 39 players on their 40-man roster.

Interesting to say the least. Josh still had potential and even though he had a bad year in AAA, he is just 23. Seems like the call-up had lasting impressions on some people.

The Phillies are talking about platooning him in RF with Michaels and Victorino, if Abreu is traded.

 

[Yuma]

Isn't this to make room for Justin Upton?

Or I saw they were putting Stephen Drew on the triple A team. Wouldn't they need to make a move for him, too?

 

[nathan]

Isn't this to make room for Justin Upton?

Or I saw they were putting Stephen Drew on the triple A team. Wouldn't they need to make a move for him, too?

Justin Upton only signed a minor league contract so he doesn't have to be put on the 40 man roster. Stephen Drew signed a major league contract so he has been on the 40 man roster since he signed.

Here is the 40 man roster:
http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/roster_40man.jsp?c_id=ari

Here is the 40 man roster from last offseason:
http://www.springtrainingonline.com/teams/arizona_diamondbacks_6.htm

 

[FinleyLover]

Looking at that roster, how disposable do you guys think Hairston is or will be this year?

 

[Espo]

Kroeger was a headcase. He didn't have the motivation to ever make it in the big leagues with this team. He put little effort in out in the outfield.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I believe they had to either clear a spot for Muholland.... or didnt they have to make some corresponding move w/both either of the Blue Jays or White Sox trades? I'm thinking "aloud" here... I just remembered... Kroeger was removed as a result of the signing of Eric Byrnes (which seems more logical)...

Anyways.. Kroeger was a victim of a #s game and wasnt going to factor into either the Dbacks long/short-term plans... Plus.. he had no redeemable true value, so it isnt a loss whatsoever.... Kroeger reminded me of DeVore (someone who will be more than likely a career AAAA calibre player) and would be a Dave Dellucci at best (even though Dellucci has begun to generate some impressive numbers with the Rangers, which isnt too complex to do)....
Also, Kroeger wouldnt have received any playing time in Tucson because they want Quentin, Young, and perhaps a RF prospect an opportunity to play on a daily basis.....

Hairston probably will be released since he hasnt mounted to anything and I still wouldnt be too shocked to see either Cintron or Terrero to be dealt w/in the near-future as well..... Terrero is a stretch to being traded though since it's unclear if Byrnes will revert back to his '04 form and play a decent CF.......

 

[nathan]

(14 of 15 positional players below should make roster)
1 C Johnny Estrada
2 C Chris Snyder
3 1B Conor Jackson
4 1B Tony Clark
5 2B Orlando Hudson
6 SS Craig Counsell
7 3B Chad Tracy
8 UT Alex Cintron
9 UT Andy Green
10 UT Damion Easley
11 LF Luis Gonzalez
12 CF Eric Byrnes
13 RF Shawn Green
14 OF Luis Terrero
15 OF Scott Hairston
------------------
(11 of 13 pitchers below should make roster)
16 SP Brandon Webb
17 SP Russ Ortiz
18 SP Miguel Batista
19 SP Brad Halsey
20 SP Orlando Hernandez
21 SP Dustin Nippert
22 SP Claudio Vargas
23 RP Jose Valverde
24 RP Greg Aquino
25 RP Jason Grimsley
26 RP Luis Vizcaino
27 RP Brandon Lyon
28 RP Brandon Medders
------------------
(Probably won't make 25 man roster)
29 RP Jason Bulger
30 RP Brian Bruney
31 C Miguel Montero
32 C Koyie Hill
33 SS Stephen Drew
34 OF Chris Young
35 SP Mike Gosling
36 SP Enrique Gonzalez
37 SP Tony Pena
38 SP Edgar Gonzalez
39 RP Mike Schultz
40 RP Doug Slaten

Not on 40 man roster
Carlos Quentin
Terry Mulholland

 

[nathan]

1) Scott Hairston, Luis Terrero, and Andy Green will fight for two spots.
2) Even if he does well in ST, Nippert probably starts in AAA because of the abundance of mediocre pitching.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

1) Scott Hairston, Luis Terrero, and Andy Green will fight for two spots.
2) Even if he does well in ST, Nippert probably starts in AAA because of the abundance of mediocre pitching.

The question though is... would Melvin just go with 11 pitchers to start the season? He probably won't since the Dbacks dont have too many days off throughout the month of April and he'll probably be stretching the BP thin with just 6 relievers since we dont know if either Hernandez, Ortiz, or in fact Vargas (assuming he makes the rotation) would be able to last more than 6 innings.... The only starters who can guarantee the Dbacks quality starts at this point are Webb and Batista (but we dont know if it will be a difficult transition for him to become a starter after a year of being strictly relied on as a closer)..... I think also the Dbacks might still acquire a left-handed relief specialist some time during Spring Training (that is if Mulholland fails in his audtion)......

Terrero would make the team as the Dbacks 4th OF.....Hairston will be released...and I would have loved Andy Green's versatility, but that role has been filled now by Easley who can cover more positions than him (including the corner OF spots).....

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Does Hairston still have an option year left?

 

[FinleyLover]

1) Scott Hairston, Luis Terrero, and Andy Green will fight for two spots.
2) Even if he does well in ST, Nippert probably starts in AAA because of the abundance of mediocre pitching.

If it were up to me, I would definitely keep Andy Green- that kid really has hustle. Hairston and Terrero are a toss up, IMO.