Sox Claim Rusty Tucker off waivers

[maggsmaggs]

Here was Tucker's 2004 write up from BA's Prospect Handbook: The Pads #12 prospect

 

"After a breakthrough in velocity in 2002, Tucker continued to pitch well after a promotion to AA last season. He continued to throw in the mid 90's, an astounding fastball for a short lefthander, and blew away Southern league hitters. But he lost some velocity and started to get hit in July, then felt a pop in his elbow when he threw a pitch in early august. He had Tommy John surgery shortly thereafter and probably won't pitch during the 2004 regular season. The track record with that operation is very good, so Tucker should be able to regain his fastball after diligent rehab. When he comes back, he'll need to continue to tighten a hard, slurvy breaking ball into a true slider. Tucker was starting to learn that there's more than pitching to sheer power, as he mixed in more two seam fastballs and changeups than in the past. His four seamer lacks much movement and he'll need to find something he can use to shutdown righthanders. They hit .256 and slugged .372 against him in 2003, compared to .188 and .250 by lefties. He'll also have to improve his control"

Well this guy seems to be the perfect guy. Can get lefties out and that's all were asking for our second reliever.

[Dick Allen]

Since it was the White Sox who claimed him from an NL team, that means every other team passed on him, correct?

[beck72]

Since it was the White Sox who claimed him from an NL team, that means every other team passed on him, correct?

 

Yes. I also read an article that the sox were one of the only teams who had spots left on their 40 man roster. Any team making a claim of a guy off waivers must make room for him on the 40 man roster.

 

That's why Jenks was let go by the Angels--to make room on the 40 man roster.

[SSH2005]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...ack=1&cset=true

Sox not left on sideline in search for southpaw

 

By Mark Gonzales

Tribune staff reporter

Published February 15, 2006

 

The White Sox's quest for a second left-hander to complement Neal Cotts in the bullpen continued Tuesday as they claimed Rusty Tucker off waivers from the Padres and placed him on their 40-man roster.

 

Tucker, 25, became the seventh candidate for Damaso Marte's vacated spot.

 

Tucker was 3-2 with a 5.31 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 52 relief appearances with Double-A Mobile. He missed nearly all of the 2004 season after reconstructive left elbow surgery on Aug. 14, 2003.

 

That operation stunted his progress as one of the top pitchers in the Padres' organization. He possessed a fastball clocked in the mid-90s and was ranked ninth among Padres prospects in Baseball America's 2003 Prospect Handbook--ahead of 2004 National League Rookie of the Year Jason Bay, who's now with the Pirates.

 

Before his surgery, Tucker was named to the 2003 Southern League All-Star team while earning 28 saves.

 

He was a Midwest League All-Star in 2002 thanks to a 1.01 ERA in 31 games for Class A Ft. Wayne.

 

Tucker has struck out 272 batters in 234 minor-league innings, but he has been plagued by control problems and an inability to retire right-handed hitters. He walked 49 in 62 2/3 innings at Mobile last season.

 

With the addition of Tucker, the Sox's 40-man roster stands at 34. Tucker has one minor-league option left.

 

Outfielder Joe Borchard, first baseman-outfielder Ross Gload and left-handed reliever Arnie Munoz are out of options and must make the Opening Day roster or other teams may claim them on waivers.

 

Tucker was acquired four days before spring training opens for Sox pitchers and catchers in Tucson, Ariz.

[thedoctor]

so, rusty tucker used to work under darren balsley.

 

that's just quality.

[UC76]

The name 'Rusty Tucker' just sounds like a lefty reliever. I'll take that as a good thing.

[chitownsportsfan]

Smart pickup by KW here. Classic low risk high potential signing. It's good that the Sox have room on the 40 man roster right now, but it might just mean a lack of organizational depth.

[SSH2005]

The Sox see Tucker possibly making an impact later in the season a la Jenks...

 

http://www.sapulpadailyherald.com/sports/c...eyword=topstory

Still, according to a source with the White Sox, the organization won’t be relying on Tucker making the big league club out of spring training, although the Chicago brass wouldn’t be surprised if he emerged in the majors at some point during the season.

The Red Sox were interested in Tucker at one time...

Initially, it appeared as though Tucker’s journey might lead him back to New England as a member of the Red Sox organization. After the announcement regarding the pitcher’s removal from the Padres’ roster, San Diego general manager Kevin Towers confirmed that he had placed calls to Boston to gauge its interest in Tucker. Before the reliever’s surgery in ‘03, the Sox had made inquiries to the Padres regarding his availability.

 

“I heard all the rumors. But I knew anything could happen, so I wasn’t getting my hopes up about coming to Boston,” Tucker said. “It would be great to play back there again, but the White Sox obviously wanted me.”

[beck72]

Smart pickup by KW here.  Classic low risk high potential signing.  It's good that the Sox have room on the 40 man roster right now, but it might just mean a lack of organizational depth.

It's more the sox got rid of some dead weight AAAA guys like Diaz, Adkins etc.

[Chisoxfn]

There is a great chance that at least one of these guys will pan out and be a decent lefty out of the pen.  Most of these guys have a lot of upside and a fresh start for some of them might unlock that potential.

I'd go with more of a slim chance. If it were as easy as getting about 10 guys and letting them compete, every team would have a couple quality left handed arms.

 

These guys were all available for a reason and they will seriously have to make some adjustments to turn into anything decent.

 

Oh and we would have won 1 or 2 more divisions cause one of the many 5th starters we ran out for a few years would have panned out.