After being DFAed by the Dodgers, the recently traded Yankees lefty is back to square one.
The Yankees’ decision to acquire the DFA’s left-handed reliever in exchange for their rivals’ signing of Josh Hader gave the impression that they had pulled a quick one on the Astros.
Sadly, Matt Gage’s wild offseason journey didn’t end with the Yankees claiming him; thus far, all he’s done is hang out in one spot long enough for Picture Day.
In order to attain roster balance, Gage was traded by the Yankees for Caleb Ferguson and roughly matched with the signing of Ryan Brasier by the Dodgers.
Rather than having an opportunity to make a big impact in the Dodgers patchwork bullpen, though, Gage was once again the corresponding trade, albeit for a less consequential addition than Hader.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Dodgers took a gamble on Taylor Trammell, a recent Mariner and former top prospect for the Reds, adding him to the active roster as Jason Heyward continues to receive treatment for his back ailment.
Gage was neither the first person out (Crismatt was DFA’d sooner), nor was he the final person in—that distinction went to Nabil Crismatt or Dinelson Lamet. Still, he’s disappeared again.
OF Taylor Trammell was claimed by the Dodgers from Seattle. The Dodgers released LHP Matt Gage to create space on the 40-man roster.
Dodgers DFA former Yankees lefty Matt Gage
In the event that you are not selected for spring camp, are you really a “former Yankees lefty” at all? Ippei Mizuhara recently got into difficulty for saying something about Hideki Okajima, Isn’t that right? We’re getting off topic.
Throughout his two seasons (in Houston and Toronto) and 19 2/3 career big-league innings, Gage has consistently produced an incredible amount of swing-and-miss with a less-than-impressive fastball. If he could hit a few more, he would most likely be a regular on a major-league club.
Even while teams continue to scoff at it, especially when it happens more than once in a single month, 20 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings with a career 1.83 ERA still doesn’t seem like much to be happy about.
Who knows? The Yankees just took a risk on Jake Cousins out of the blue, so perhaps Gage will return to the team.
Perhaps it’s the Astros; Jim Crane was persuaded to examine the bullpen again after the weekend series. The Blue Jays, perhaps? Hell, they combined a blowout and no-hitter on Monday by using IKF.
Gage has plenty of opportunities for meaningful reunions now that he was abruptly let go too soon on Tuesday.
