The Oakland A’s picked up a new pitcher on Tuesday, claiming Parker Bridwell off waivers from the Angels, the team announced. There was already a spot open on the 40-man roster, so no corresponding move was needed to make room.
Technically, the A’s added a starting pitcher with this move. Bridwell started 20 games for the Angels in 2017 and consistently held that role throughout the minors, so he constitutes rotation depth. However, the right-hander also missed almost all of 2018 to an elbow injury, which eventually required minor arthroscopic surgery to clean things up. His one mostly full MLB season was that 2017 campaign.
Bridwell, 2017: 3.64 ERA, 121 ip, 73 Ks, 30 BB, 19 HR, 4.84 FIP
He has a wide arsenal that includes a 93 mph fastball (which tops at 96), plus a curve, cutter, sinker, and changeup. Bridwell will pitch at age 27 this season leading up to his birthday in August, so he has relative youth on his side — or at least, should be in his prime rather than past it.
Analysis
The addition of Bridwell doesn’t exactly solve the rotation’s issues, but every bit of depth helps. We all scoffed at the signing of Edwin Jackson last year, and that turned out pretty well — point being, when the A’s show interest in a pitcher, then he’s got my attention. Bridwell could wind up helping, or he could turn out to be a non-factor, or he could be dumped later in the offseason when a better option emerges (this is already the third time he’s been claimed this winter). But at least there is another warm body on the rotation depth chart, and that’s a start.
Here’s the updated roster.
Pitchers | Hitters |
Starters Mike Fiers (R) Daniel Mengden (R) Chris Bassitt (R) Frankie Montas (R) Tanner Anderson (R) Paul Blackburn (R) Parker Bridwell (R) Jharel Cotton (R) Sean Manaea (L) Daniel Gossett (R) Grant Holmes (R) James Kaprielian (R) Relievers Blake Treinen (R) Joakim Soria (R) Lou Trivino (R) Fernando Rodney (R) Ryan Buchter (L) Yusmeiro Petit (R) Liam Hendriks (R) Andrew Triggs (R) J.B. Wendelken (R) Ryan Dull (R) Aaron Brooks (R) |
Catchers Chris Herrmann (L) Josh Phegley (R) Infielders Matt Chapman (R) Matt Olson (L) Marcus Semien (R) Jurickson Profar (S) Franklin Barreto (R) Jorge Mateo (R) Outfielders Khris Davis (R) Stephen Piscotty (R) Ramon Laureano (R) Mark Canha (R) Chad Pinder (R) Nick Martini (L) Dustin Fowler (L) Luis Barrera (L) Skye Bolt (S) |