Update: It’s official, the Rays have acquired veteran outfielder David DeJesus from the Nationals for cash considerations or a player to be named later. He’s expected to join the team Friday. OF Jason Bourgeois has been DFA’d to make room for DeJesus on the roster. The Rays owe him $900 K of his $4.25 MM contract, and he has a $6.5 MM option for next season with a $1.5 MM buyout.
News broke that the Rays made a pair of acquisitions Thursday, re-signing Delmon Young to a minor league deal, while claiming David DeJesus off revocable waivers.
Young last played Aug. 8th, and he figures to need some at-bats in the Minors to get ready. Per MLB Trade Rumors, Young will head to Double-A Montgomery as opposed to Triple-A Durham for the time being, based on his own personal preference (cough, perhaps this is why). The 27-year-old was released by the Phillies last week and will now return to the organization that selected him first overall in the 2003 draft.
Young batted .261 BA/.302 OBP/.397 SLG/.697 OPS in 291 plate appearances with eight home runs and 31 RBI for the Phillies this season before being released. Originally drafted by Tampa Bay, Young played only one full season with the Rays before being traded to Minnesota in the trade that brought Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett to the Rays. Despite enjoying a strong season in Minnesota, Young has failed to translate the tools that made him the No. 1 overall pick into consistent Major League production. He’s a .283 BA/.316 OBP/.423 SLG/.739 OPS hitter in parts of eight big league seasons, however Young also grades out as one of baseball’s worst defenders in the outfield. That said, because of his success against left-handed pitchers Young could fit as part of a platoon at designated hitter.
The Rays acquired David DeJesus from the Nationals, who acquired him on Monday. DeJesus was and immediately placed on revocable waivers.
DeJesus is batting .248 BA/.328 OBP/.399 SLG/.727 OPS in 320 plate appearances this season. Nearly all of his damage has come against right-handed pitching, as evidenced by his .266 BA/.347 OBP/.440 SLG/.787 OPS/.346 wOBA batting line against opposite-handed pitching with 117 wRC+ this season, however he comes at a price — he is still owed about $1 MM to finish the season. Furthermore, his contract holds a $1.5 MM buy out for next season, should the Rays not be interested in his $6.5M contract.
Ian Malinowski of DRaysBay asserts, that, “DeJesus is a good baseball player with a good platoon split.”
I’d imagine that both may bide their time in the minors until the September roster expansion.