Oswaldo Arcia Put on Waivers by the Rays

[ettin]

Oswaldo Arcia placed on waivers:

 

I actually think there is a possibility the Angels claim him. His defense is abysmal but he has had excellent Minor League numbers that just haven't translated to the Majors.

Career Minor League slash line: .297/.358/.519, wRC+ 146 (since June 2009)

Career Major League slash line: .231/.293/.413, wRC+ 90 (split over 4 seasons and 272 games)

He has good power and is a left-handed bat. He strikes me as someone Eppler might have interest in. Can't really hurt the rest of the season to stick him in Left Field or give him some time at 1st base or DH (wherever we can play him).

[Angel Oracle]

Can't be any worse defensively in LF than Ji-Man Choi is.

[gurn67]

Can't be any worse defensively than the Abreu/Rivera "Manos de Piedra" platoon was.

[Oz27]

Sure, why not? I'm pretty comfortable at this point that we have seen enough of Choi to know he isn't good and the view seems to be that Marte can't play left - which from the limited action we've seen his hard to dispute.

[ettin]

Interestingly Arcia has a 28.3% LD% rate which is 7th best in the Majors with a minimum of 150 PA's for 2016. In the Minors he had high BABIP's (of which LD% contributes the most) so at age 25 he could be on the cusp of a breakout possibly. I'd take a flyer on him and I think he potentially  fits into the Angels offseason plans.

[Second Base]

Arcia has been rumored to be a little difficult in the clubhouse, but yes, I'd claim him and give him a month long audition for a losing ball club in September. If he figured it out, LF is solved (or we can trade Cron). If not, Buss has earned his way into the lineup at least.

I also wouldn't hesitate on Puig. If he's exposed to waiver, that negates much of the risk. I'd like to see the Angeks chase Blackmon via trade this offseason, but I think Maybin is a higher likelihood.