A's Re-Sign Michael Stefanic To Minor League Deal

Michael Stefanic re-signed with the Athletics on a minor league contract and returned to Triple-A as the designated hitter for the Aviators. He elected free agency after being outrighted from the A’s roster, following a designation for assignment tied to the acquisition of Alika Williams from Pittsburgh. Stefanic previously returned to the majors after Jacob Wilson went on the injured list, appearing in two games and going 2-for-5 with a run scored. He has five consecutive years with MLB action and a lifetime .231/.315/.269 major league slash line. In Triple-A, he has produced a .326/.422/.447 line over more than 2,000 plate appearances, with strong strike-zone judgment and contact skills but limited power. His defensive profile fits second and third base more than shortstop, reducing bench value, which influenced the A’s middle-infield choices.

"The Athletics re-signed infielder Michael Stefanic to a minor league contract. He's back in the Triple-A lineup tonight as the designated hitter for the Aviators. Stefanic elected free agency yesterday after being outrighted from the A's roster one day earlier. He'd been designated him for assignment on Saturday when they acquired Alika Williams from Pittsburgh. That ended Stefanic's brief stint on the big league roster."

"The A's had called him up last Tuesday when they lost Jacob Wilson to the injured list. Stefanic played twice, once starting at second base and entering the other game as a pinch-hitter. He went 2-5 with a run scored. It marks five consecutive years with some MLB action for the 30-year-old infielder. He's a lifetime .231/.315/.269 hitter at the major league level."

"The righty-hitting Stefanic has been a fantastic Triple-A performer throughout his career. He owns a .326/.422/.447 batting line in more than 2000 plate appearances. Stefanic has elite strike zone judgment and pure contact skills, but he doesn't hit for much power. He's also more of a second/third baseman than a true shortstop, which limits his value off the bench for MLB clubs."

"That's evidenced by the A's going with Williams as a more valuable defender behind their middle infield pairing of Jeff McNeil and fill-in shortstop Darell Hernaiz."

Read at MLB Trade Rumors