Transaction Analysis: Stump the Schwarb

TEXAS RANGERS Team Audit | Player Cards | Depth Chart

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Activated LHP Martin Perez from the 60-day disabled list (Tommy John surgery); placed C-S Carlos Corporan on the 15-day disabled list (thumb); recalled C-S Tomas Telis from Triple-A Round Rock. [7/17]

The Rangers are making a habit of welcoming back injured pitchers. First Matt Harrison and now Perez, who returned on Friday to a big-league mound for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last May. Alas, Perez’s start resulted in a losing effort, as he allowed nine hits and three runs over five innings while issuing two walks and striking out just two batters. Next up on the Welcome Back Tour: Derek Holland, whose party might not take place until September.

If you believe the rumor mill, the Rangers were ready to replace Corporan with Telis; this is probably not how they intended to do so, but whatever. Telis is a short, switch-hitting backstop with contact chops whose exact value is tough to pin down. He’s steadily improved in some areas behind the plate—thus far he’d thrown out more than 40 percent of attempted basestealers—but his brutal framing numbers from last season’s 18-game stint will cause some to pause. Perhaps Telis’ hard work in other areas will include the finer aspects of receiving; if not, the Rangers will settle for him out-hitting Corporan the rest of the way, or until they can find a better backup option.

ATLANTA BRAVES Team Audit | Player Cards | Depth Chart

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Signed RHP Jason Frasor and LHP Ross Detwiler; designated RHP David Carpenter for assignment; optioned RHP Jake Brigham to Triple-A Gwinnett. [7/17]

The Braves entered the weekend with the worst bullpen in the majors, according to DRA. They know it, too. Atlanta had 14 pitchers make five or more relief appearances during the first half, and they could top that number during the second half, especially if they keep signing other teams’ castoffs.

In theory, adding a reliever with a 1.54 ERA through 26 big-league appearances should boost a bad bullpen. In reality, this is 2015, and Frasor slipped through waivers last week due to his bloated walk rate (5.8 per nine). If there is a reason for optimism, it rests in knowing that Frasor threw roughly the same amount of strikes with the Royals in 2015 as he did in 2014, when he walked just two per nine. There are other plausible explanations for his control hitting rock bottom—for instance, his stuff no longer being good enough to cancel at-bats once he reaches two strikes—but the Braves have little to lose in exchange for giving him a look-see.

Ditto for Detwiler, whose profile should work better in the bullpen than it did in the rotation. He can cut and sink his low-to-mid-90s fastball, yet he doesn’t have great command or secondary offerings. Detwiler’s numbers against lefties have always impressed, so perhaps the Braves will audition him as a specialist before the season ends. Otherwise, how’s long relief sound?

CHICAGO CUBS Team Audit | Player Cards | Depth Chart

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Recalled C?-L Kyle Schwarber from Triple-A Iowa; placed C-L Miguel Montero on the 15-day disabled list (sprained thumb). [7/16]

Finally, the Cubs promote a well-regarded prospect; it’s been, what, a month since the last one? Schwarber has perhaps the toughest job of Chicago’s rookie class for reasons outlined by his manager. The gist of it is Schwarber has to continue improving his technique at and behind the plate while learning the tendencies of his pitching staff, the opposition, and the umpires. Oh, and he’ll do so for a team that’s chasing a playoff spot. No pressure, kid.

To their credit, the Cubs are easing Schwarber’s burden by keeping two other catchers on the roster (David Ross and Taylor Teagarden) and having them handle Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta. You wonder if the Cubs will sneak Schwarber’s bat into the lineup on those days by using him in left field, but the answer is no if their minor-league usage is any indication. Despite playing some outfield last season (in both college and pro ball), Schwarber has been used exclusively as a catcher on days he didn’t DH.

Of course, winning trumps development in the majors, so over the next six weeks we’ll find out just how strongly the Cubs are committed to the cause of keeping Schwarber behind the plate.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS Team Audit | Player Cards | Depth Chart

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Signed MIF-S Everth Cabrera to a minor-league deal. [7/16]

Of all the National League teams, the Giants seemed least likely to sign Cabrera. (The Padres were in the running too, although their need at shortstop made them a better theoretical fit.) Between Joe Panik and Brandon Crawford, San Francisco boasts a young, impressive middle infield. How does Cabrera fit into that alignment? He doesn’t. The more realistic outcome sees Cabrera challenging Ehire Adrianza and Joaquin Arias—neither productive this season, albeit in small samples—for a spot on the bench.

Obviously there’s no guarantee Cabrera sticks around long enough to win that competition. His legal history is lengthy, making him an unreliable quantity. Even those who value production above all have little reason to trust Cabrera, since he hasn’t performed up to snuff over the past season and a half. The best-case scenario here sees a matured Cabrera excel as a speed-and-D backup infielder, perhaps to the point where his final year of team control makes him an appealing trade chit come winter. The worst-case is … well, at least the stakes are low.