Transactions Notes: 5/19 - 5/25, 2011

Very few transactions to discuss this week. Though it may not seem that way due to several high profile MLB level moves happening, the fallout back down into the minors leagues has been relatively minimal.

First one thing to clear up: the transactions mystery transactions for Asheville on may 13th involving the return of Josh Slaats and Craig Bennigson involved Ricardo Ferrer (who returned to Extended Spring Training) and Albert Campos (who briefly went on the Temporarily Inactive List). Campos was reactivated on the 18th, again in last week's window. The corresponding move was sending the recently activated Bennigson to Extended Spring Training.

Now, onto this week's stuff.

5/19/11

A+:
- Daniel Perkins activated from the 7 Day Disabled List.
- Parker Frazier placed on the 7 Day Disabled List.

A swap for Modesto's rotation. Frazier, who had been struggling this year through 8 starts with the Nuts, was hit in the arm with a line drive in a game last week. Perkins has started three games this season, first with Colorado Springs as a spot starter, then one with the Nuts as a temporary replacement for Nick Schnaitmann before going back on the DL. The third has come since being activated.

More after the jump.

5/20/11

MLB:
- Matt Daley recalled from AAA Colorado Springs.
- Franklin Morales traded to Boston Red Sox.

I've already discussed my personal thoughts on the Morales trade at length in comments sections and on the podcast. From a depth standpoint, the Morales trade opens up a path for Rex Brothers to ascend, but it won't be right away. For the time being, the team has chosen to go with one lefty reliever in Matt Reynolds. After a solid start to the season, Daley had had some difficulties over his past couple of outings with the Sky Sox, but got the call regardless. Daley doesn't necessarily project as a long term member of the pen, but with the designation of Felipe Paulino (see below), he appears set to occupy the spot for at least the foreseeable future.

The loss of Morales opened up a spot on the 40 man Roster, moving it to 39 players. A corresponding move to replace Daley on the Sky Sox wasn't made in time for the day; it would happen the next day.

A:
- Peter Tago assigned to A Asheville.
- Erik Stavert assigned to Extended Spring Training Huhwhaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?!

We had known that Tago was going to get the call via Twitter, as he confirmed that he was with the Tourists a few days before his activation. Tago has taken the roster spot of Erik Stavert, another pitcher who had struggled through eight starts with his team. Stavert becomes yet another player given the chance to make an impression at Asheville that was sent back to extended before the short season begins.

UPDATE: Now this is just perplexing. Stavert was the only player on the Asheville roster not to have thrownj since Tago's activation. He wasn't placed on the TIL or DL and Brad McAtee confirmed via Twitter that Stavert did not get sent out to EST. So who in the world left the roster for Tago? Who knows.... come on Asheville roster people, post your stuff better!

5/21/11

AAA:
- Andy Graham activated from the Temporarily Inactive List and assigned to AAA Colorado Springs.

Just filling up Daley's spot on the AAA roster. Graham continues to fill in as the "fifth starter" for the Sky Sox, even though he is only pitching 2-3 innings each outing and is still very much a reliever.

5/22/11

MLB:
- Greg Reynolds recalled from AAA Colorado Springs.
- Felipe Paulino designated for assignment.

Two days after the Morales trade, the Rockies bit the second bullet and with no trading partner in sight, designated Paulino for assignment, opening up a 38th spot on the 40 Man Roster. News on Paulino has yet to appear. The Rockies are presumably trying to pass him through waivers at this point unless they found a potential trade partner.

Reynolds was called up with the intent to serve as long relief in the forthcoming games, and then make a start on this upcoming Saturday. It would turn out that with Jorge De La Rosa coming out early in his start, Reynolds would have to throw on Tuesday. The Rockies then decided not to have Reynolds start the Saturday game. With DLR now known to be out for the season and Aaron Cook on the way back, Reynolds will compete with Clay Mortensen and Juan Nicasio, who is currently to tabbed to take over that Saturday start, to keep a rotation spot long-term.

AAA:
- Billy Buckner activated from the 7 Day Disabled List.

Buckner takes over Reynolds' rotation spot. He had been on the DL since early May with elbow inflammation.

5/23/11

No transactions.

5/24/11

No transactions.

5/25/11

MLB:
- Bruce Billings recalled from AAA Colorado Springs.
- Jorge De La Rosa placed on the 15 Day Disabled List.

De La Rosa will be out for the year and more with a torn UCL; moving him to the 15 Day is just a temporary choice, and he will presumably be moved to the 60 Day as soon as necessary. Billings is no longer a starter and is not replacing De La Rosa in that regard. Rather, he was called up to provide more bullpen relief as the team experiences the consequences of the double header. I believe his time with the Rockies will be limited. If he isn't sent down when Nicasio is activated this weekend (could also be Reynolds or Mortensen), when the team decides to move on Brothers, he'll be the casualty.

AAA:
- Joey Williamson assigned to AAA Colorado Springs from AA Tulsa Drillers.

Williamson is not likely to be a long-term option at AAA. Though he has handled the promotion to AA in spite of coming off a year of retirement reasonably well, there's no real reason, developmental or otherwise, to keep him with the Sky Sox. In some ways, Williamson's promotion to AAA is a lot like Billings' to the majors: a potential innings eater stabilizing a bullpen that is wonky due to further instability in the starting rotation. Williamson made one start for the Drillers, but has worked mostly out of the pen. There is a chance Williamson gets starts in the empty fifth starter spot at AAA (the one Graham had been keeping warm), but I doubt he's being looked at as a permanent addition in either the rotation or pen there.

AA:
- Sean Jarrett activated from the 7 Day Disabled List.

Jarrett has seen multiple DL trips and an assignment to Extended Spring Training this season after spending much of last year down. For this stretch, he was down since April 30th, and had thrown only four innings prior to that for the Drillers.

And that's that. See you next week!