Anthony Swarzak was a second-round draft pick in 2004, the same draft in which the Twins picked Glen Perkins and Trevor Plouffe. |
When Swarzak went unclaimed in November, it signaled that no other major league team thought him worth his likely arbitration figure. Since he would presumably have taken a major league contract, the Cleveland deal tells us that no organization thought him worth a 40-man roster spot at any figure.
There are, of course, complications. For example, Swarzak is out of options, so a team that signed him to a major league deal would have difficulty sending him down. That's not an issue on this minor-league contract. A fringe player who has roster flexibility is more valuable than one without.
The Indians twitter account promoed the signing and highlighter Swarzak's strong suit:
Former @Twins RHP Anthony Swarzak invited to Major League camp today. 2nd in MLB in relief innings since 2012 (237.1IP).
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) January 15, 2015
Yes, Swarzak worked a lot of relief innings for the Twins the past three seasons. (I'm surprised there's somebody with more, frankly). They were generally low-leverage innings, and whenever the Twins tried to elevate his role, he was ineffective.
I suspect the Indians expect to have Swarzak in their bullpen this spring. I don't thinl he's going to make much difference.
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