Wright For Fryer
Posted by Steve L. on February 4th, 2009 · Comments (6)
Good guy Chase Wright is Brewer bound.
In sending Wright packing, the Yankees picked up Eric Fryer.
Fryer is not a terrible prospect. It looks like he can hit a bit. And, if he can catch, maybe he’ll turn into a Jim Leyritz type?
The fact that the Yankees were able to get someone like Fryer for Wright tells you something about Wright. In most cases, when you DFA a player, like the Yanks did with Chase, you have zero leverage in trying to deal him. Getting a somewhat prospect like Fryer says there was a market for Wright…even as a DFA guy.
I hope Wright makes the Brewers this season and wins 20 games this year. To me, that would be cool – in so many ways.
I hope Wright makes the Brewers this season and wins 20 games this year. To me, that would be cool – in so many ways.
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Particularly because it would be one more way to attack Cashman?
Beat me to it.
BTW, the Yankees did not necessarily have non-zero leveredge. There was a very good chance that he would be claimed and the Brewers didn’t feel that he would get to them, and rightfully so.
I hope Wright makes the Brewers this season and wins 20 games this year.
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Hard to imagine that happening. But it certainly would make for a Cinderella story, that’s for sure.
FWIW, Jim Callis of Baseball America said the following about this trade in yesterday’s BA Chat on ESPN.com:
Isaac (NYC): I was wondering what your take is on this Eric Fryer fellow the Yankees just acquired. any potential?
Jim Callis: He’s not really a big prospect. He’s not able to hack it as a full-time catcher and won’t have the bat to be a full-time catcher. Basically, he’s a body acquired for someone designated for assignment (Chase Wright, who’s no great shakes either).
And from Fangraphs;
Wright is best known for being wrong in four consecutive at-bats versus the Boston Red Sox, with each resulting in a homerun. Wright’s minor league numbers aren’t spectacular, but they aren’t exactly poor either. He’s a groundball inducer who works off a fastball and change-up combination with a slider thrown in. The Brewers already have R.J. Swindle and Mitch Stetter sitting around in the bullpen, so it seems unlikely Wright breaks camp with the big league team, but for a back of the pen type, Wright can be decent.
Fryer is a minor league catcher who really isn’t. In 2007 33 of Fryer’s 42 games involved catching, in 2008 that number was 39 of 105. Fryer hits well though, so the Yankees are getting a guy who likely won’t stick at catcher (five passed balls and 11 of 58 CS in 2008) but might have the bat to make it as a corner outfielder somewhere down the line. Frankly, Fryer seems like a bit much to give up for Wright, but I’ll give the Brewers and their exposure to Fryer the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise.