Athletics Outright Michael Stefanic

Michael Stefanic was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas after the Athletics designated him for assignment to acquire Alika Williams from Pittsburgh as a utility infielder. Stefanic previously had a short major league stint, called up after Jacob Wilson went on the injured list. He appeared in two games, starting at second base in one and pinch-hitting in another, going 2-for-5 with a run scored. He has five straight years with some MLB action and carries a lifetime .231/.315/.269 batting 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/third base more than shortstop, reducing bench value. Having been outrighted multiple times, he can elect free agency but is more likely to return to Las Vegas as non-roster depth.

"The Athletics sent infielder Michael Stefanic outright to Triple-A Las Vegas, per the MLB.com transaction tracker. They'd designated him for assignment on Saturday when they acquired Alika Williams from Pittsburgh to replace Stefanic as a utility infielder."

"Stefanic had a brief stint on the big league roster. The A's had called him up on 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."

"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."

"Stefanic has been outrighted a handful of times throughout his career. That gives him the right to elect free agency, though it seems likelier he'll accept the assignment back to Las Vegas and hang around as non-roster infield depth."

Read at MLB Trade Rumors