Mar

Yankees claim Craig Tatum

The Yankees have claimed catcher Craig Tatum off waivers from the Diamondbacks, the team announced. The 29-year-old is a no-hit, defense-first backstop. He’s produced a .256 wOBA in 299 big league plate appearances, most coming with the Orioles. He’s thrown attempted basestealers out at a 21% rate in the show and a 35% rate in the minors, but that doesn’t do his glovework justice. Tatum figures to be just a depth pickup given Austin Romine‘s persistent back trouble, but he is out of options and will have to pass through waivers to go to the minors. No corresponding 40-man roster move is needed.

Categories : Asides, Transactions

14 Comments»

Mike Myers says:

March 28, 2012 at 3:17 pm

yESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Playoffs heere we come!

STONE COLD Austin Romine says:

March 28, 2012 at 3:19 pm

Good.

Nice pick up for the Empire State Yankees of Wilkes-Barre Scranton Pennsylvania.

Robinson Tilapia says:

March 28, 2012 at 3:21 pm

This is a good move to provide that much needed fire under Gustavo Molina’s butt.

RetroRob says:

March 28, 2012 at 3:22 pm

A bad sign that Austin Romine will be out for a while and the Yankees are adding depth?

ROBTEN says:

March 28, 2012 at 3:23 pm

He was the bomb in “21 Jump Street,” yo.

jsbrendog says:

March 28, 2012 at 3:31 pm

so is this bye bye gus, this guy is gonna teach austin how to catch betterer or is it oh shit romine’s hurt we need a warm body to sit on the bus every day?

Rainbow Connection says:

March 28, 2012 at 4:39 pm

Little known fact: He is Art Tatum’s son

Manny's BanWagon says:

March 28, 2012 at 4:53 pm

and his nickname is the assassin.

Reply

DM says:

March 28, 2012 at 4:54 pm

Romine had a “set back” and has been shut down again.

Gonzo says:

March 28, 2012 at 5:05 pm

Ooooof, that’s not a good thing.

Reply
- DM says:
  
  March 28, 2012 at 5:11 pm
  
  Maybe Tatum as backup — and Cervelli to AAA to take Romine’s role as every day catcher to start the season.
  
  Reply
  - hogsmog says:
    
    March 28, 2012 at 7:01 pm
    
    Why? Cervelli isn’t a terrible fielder, and is much better offensively (wOBA .315 2010, .322 2011).
    
    Reply
    - DM says:
      
      March 28, 2012 at 7:35 pm
      
      Tatum can’t be optioned (according to reports).
      
      Reply