Veterans Unite: Can’t All Be Prospects
Lost amid the unending chatter and Twitter updates related to the 2012 NFL Draft and the imminent call-ups of Mike Trout (Angels) and Bryce Harper (Nationals), a few major league teams turned to veteran options.
Brandon Inge, A’s – Inge was released by the Tigers last week after another slow start (2-for-20 with one home run, two RBI and six strikeouts) and signed with the A’s over the weekend. He’s expected to be with the team on Monday against the Red Sox. Inge batted .197 with three home runs and 23 RBI with 74 strikeouts in 269 at-bats over 102 games. He’s a .234 career batter with 140 home runs.
Hideki Matsui, Rays -Matsui hit 12 home runs and drove in 72 runs for the A’s last season. The nine-year MLB veteran owns a .285 career batting average. The Rays don’t appear to need additional left-handed batters, but they need outfield depth. Perhaps retaining the following hitter would have sufficed?
Johnny Damon, Indians – The 38-year-old veteran worked out for the Indians for two weeks in Arizona and will be brought in to jumpstart a lifeless offense. Damon hit 16 home runs and drove in 73 runs for Tampa Bay last season.
