40-man roster moves: Athletics select Tyler Ladendorf, Andrew Brown claimed off waivers from Mets

The Oakland Athletics added infielder Tyler Ladendorf to the 40-man roster and claimed outfielder Andrew Brown off waivers from the New York Mets. Corresponding roster moves have yet to be announced.

Tyler Ladendorf selected

Ladendorf, who will be 27 in the 2015 season, played 78 games for Oakland's Triple-A team, with 38 games apiece at second base and shortstop. His time was limited due to serving a 50-game suspension for a drug of abuse, and then becoming injured in the final weeks of the Sacramento River Cats season. Ladendorf has all his option years remaining should the A's not elect to retain him for the opening day roster in 2015.

You may recall I tried to make the case for selecting Tyler Ladendorf as middle infield depth at the end of August mere days before an injury ended his season. Ladendorf had performed remarkably well against left-handed pitching in the minor leagues to that point during a period when the A's were completely flummoxed by a bevy of left-handed starters.

This roster move may only indicate that the A's think Ladendorf is likely to be selected in the Rule 5 draft in December, and that he deserves a chance to hang on.

Andrew Brown claimed

Outfielder Andrew Brown, 30, was on the New York Mets opening day roster in 2014, playing in 19 games, and batting .182/.245/.341 in 49 plate appearances. In 103 games with the Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League, Brown batted .283/.372/.519 in 446 plate appearances, including 21 home runs.

Besides the corner outfield spots, Brown has some past minor league experience playing the corner infield positions, and could merit a look as a backup third baseman behind Josh Donaldson. Brown is out of options, however.

Brown found himself behind Eric Young, Juan Lagares, Curtis Granderson, Chris Young (yes, that one), Matt den Dekker, Bobby Abreu, and Kirk Nieuwenhuis in major league playing time in 2014.