Dodgers DFA Travis Blankenhorn

[bighat]

Dodgers just DFA'ed Blankenhorn. From MLB Trade Rumors:

The Dodgers will have a week to trade Blankenhorn or attempt to pass him through outright waivers. He has a minor league option remaining beyond the 2021 season and has ample experience at second base and third base, so it’s not out of the question that another club with some infield needs might look to place a claim or pick him up in a small trade.

[Seth Stohs]

DFA Limbo stinks... 

[ashbury]

2 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

DFA Limbo stinks... 

I thought you liked the system because it gives players on the bubble more time on someone's 40-man.

[Seth Stohs]

4 hours ago, ashbury said:

I thought you liked the system because it gives players on the bubble more time on someone's 40-man.

I just don't like when a guy gets DFAd, claimed, DFAd, claimed, DFAd, claimed, DFAd... you see it more in the offseason, but this is another case. I remember Adam Brett Walker got DFAd and claimed three or four times that offseason it happened to him. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

On 5/22/2021 at 4:09 PM, Seth Stohs said:

I just don't like when a guy gets DFAd, claimed, DFAd, claimed, DFAd, claimed, DFAd... you see it more in the offseason, but this is another case. I remember Adam Brett Walker got DFAd and claimed three or four times that offseason it happened to him. 

I'm the guy that doesn't mind the system.

In the offseason, it's pretty much just a paper transaction until it's time to report to spring training -- no games lost. It can affect future housing plans, etc. but even without DFA limbo, those things are usually in flux for minor leaguers anyway.

During the season, the biggest downside might be losing up to a week of game action. Although getting MLB salary/benefits/service time while in DFA limbo is probably a good trade-off for most of these guys. By my calculations, the Twins DFA of Blankenhorn was basically like a $15k bonus for him (the net increase in MLB salary over AAA salary during the DFA period); the Dodgers DFA should net him another $15k. Losing a week of games sucks, but the service time can help too -- looks like Blankenhorn only had ~11 days service time prior to being DFA'd; by the end of the Dodgers DFA, his service time will likely have more than doubled up to 23 days -- not insignificant when 43 days qualifies a player for the pension plan.

I'm not without sympathy for these guys, of course. I'd love to see the DFA/waiver period reduced again, to reduce the games lost, but still give the players the same 6-7 days salary/service time. Encouraging team-arranged/provided housing is good too.

[Musk21]

Blankenhorn claimed by Seattle.

[AceWrigley]

Reeled in from the castoff pool by the seafaring men, probably bound for Tacoma where they climb mountains and play baseball and stuff.

[jimbo92107]

Best of luck to Blankenhorn. He was drafted as a very athletic guy that needed to learn a lot about baseball. Let's hope he gets a chance in the Show before he gets too old.