BD Hot Stove: Galarraga’s Strange Journey Continues | Baseball Digest

BD Hot Stove: Galarraga’s Strange Journey Continues | Baseball Digest

The hot stove is coming to you a little later today and a hot stove is really needed since it was below zero in the northeast today. It’s been a strange stretch of time for Armando Galarraga over the last seven months. On June 2 last year Galarraga was robbed of a perfect game by the very imperfect call of umpire Jim Joyce. Hugs, tearfests, ovations followed…yada yada yada.

One week ago Galarraga and the Tigers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one year, $2.3M contract. The very next day the Tigers designated Galarraga for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Brad Penny. Today, Galarraga was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-hander Kevin Eichhorn and lefty Ryan Robowski.

Galaragga will probably get a chance to compete for the Diamondbacks final spot in the rotation with second year man Barry Enright and Aaron “I want to be a starter again” Heilman. Eichorn was a third round pick by the Dbacks in 2008 and played primarily in rookie ball last season. He averaged nearly a strikeout per inning, but surrendered 12 home runs and gave up more hits than innings pitched. Robowski put up similar numbers for High Single-A Visalia last season after being selected in the 16th round out of Ohio Dominican University in 2009.

The Diamondbacks also brought back pitcher Micah Owings, who some feel would be better as a full time hitter at this point. Owings showed promise a rookie in 2007, posting an 8-8, 4.30 mark in 27 starts and a pair of relief appearances. But his command got worse the following season, so the Dbacks shipped him to the Reds in September as the PTBNL in the Adam Dunn deal. This past October he was granted free agency after two poor seasons with the Reds. As for his hitting, Owings had 4 HR and 15 RBI as a rookie and has a .293 lifetime batting average and an .861 OPS. Perhaps it’s time to pick up a fielder’s glove or become an AL DH.

One more Diamondbacks note – Rafael Rodriguez acquired in July’s trade deadline Dan Haren deal, was DFA’ed to make room for Galarraga on the Arizona 40-man roster.

The Rockies signed outfielder Willy Taveras to a minor league deal. Taveras played for Colorado from 2007-2008.

The Nationals have added pitcher Todd Coffey with a one year deal. Coffey was non-tendered by the Brewers in December.

Per Jon Heyman, the Rangers have re-opened talks with Vlad Guerrero.

Over the weekend the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo reported that the Red Sox will be willing to deal Jonathan Papelbon at any point before or during the season. Papelbon will earn $12M in 2011.