Cleveland Indians Claim Joey Butler

Cleveland Indians Claim Butler From Rays

The Cleveland Indians have claimed outfielder Joey Butler from the Tampa Bay Rays the team has announced. Butler was designated for assignment by the Rays last week.  If the name sounds somewhat familiar, it could be from a certain single he hit last year:

Butler was the Rays’ hitter that broke up Carlos Carrasco‘s no-hitter in the bottom of the ninth in Tampa earlier this year.  Thankfully it sounds like there is no bad blood lingering:  

To make room for Butler on the 40-man roster the Cleveland Indians designated minor league pitcher Jayson Aquino for assignment.  Aquino was acquired off waivers last year from the Pirates and was a guy I listed as a potential to be let go earlier this off-season.  Aquino is a lefty who, while possessing good stuff, was down to his final minor league option and has yet to appear above A-ball.  There’s still a very realistic chance he remains in the Tribe’s system although he was claimed a couple times last year so he’s a arm that other team’s like as well. 

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The addition of Butler is yet another right-handed hitting outfielder to add to the mix along with Jerry Sands and recently acquired Collin Cowgill.  Like Cowgill, Butler still has minor league options remaining so he could see time with Triple-A Columbus early in the year if he doesn’t make the club out of Spring Training. He provides the Indians with a cheap source of pop as he hit eight home runs in just 276 plate appearances for the Rays in 2015.  He also hit 20 home runs in Triple-A in 2012 while in the Rangers farm system. 

Next: Estimating a Carlos Carrasco Contract

One area that Butler has struggled though is with strikeouts.  He struck out nearly 30% of the time in 2015 and has a career 30.6% K-rate. He does, however, draw enough walks that he has a respectable .274/.330/.412 batting line, albeit in only 297 plate appearances.  He’s also rated out as an average-to-above average defensive outfielder in both corner spots.  He’s a nice depth addition for the Indians, nothing more, nothing less at this point. Solid, low-risk addition.