Bye, LOOGY
While the non-waivers trade deadline has passed, moves can still be made here in August and that's what has happened today. In August, most teams expose many of their players to the waiver wire in order to gauge interest on the market. When a claim is made, teams can then pull back the player for the remainder of the season, work out a trade, or simply give the player, contract and all, to the claiming team. In a surprising move, Matt Thornton has been claimed off waivers by the Nationals and the Yankees have handed him over to them.
While Thornton has been solid this season, an 83% contact rate with only a 7.8% swinging strike rate is not a recipe for a good future. The 37-year-old still makes $3.5 million in 2015, something the Yankees likely did not want to pay for and now won't have to. It's likely the Yankees saw an opportunity to dump a guy before his value flatlined and they're now better for it.
The new LOOGY will likely end up being David Huff, however, there are a few options in the minors who could get the call. Tyler Webb has made it through three levels this season and now has 13 strikeouts in only 8.2 innings at Triple-A. He previously racked up 51 Ks in only 35.2 innings at Double-A as well, so it's safe to say that he's ready for a taste of the big leagues. 2014 draft pick Jacob Lindgren has also just been promoted to Double-A after striking out 30 in only 13.1 innings this year. If the Strikeout Factory manages to make it up here after just a month in the minors that would definitely be something exciting to watch.
UPDATE:
Source says LHP Rich Hill coming up to take Thornton's bullpen spot.
— Daniel Barbarisi (@DanBarbarisi) August 5, 2014