The Athletics have claimed Tyler Nevin off waivers, as per an announcement from both the A’s and Orioles. Oakland has designated right-hander Adrian Martinez for assignment to create roster space. Baltimore designated Nevin, Ryan McKenna and Nick Maton for assignment in the lead-up to Opening Day, and McKenna and Maton have both cleared waivers and have been outrighted to the Orioles’ Triple-A club.
Nevin will now head to a new organization after spending the last few seasons with the Orioles and Tigers. Baltimore acquired Nevin from the Rockies in 2020, and he made his MLB debut in 2021 and appeared in 64 games for the Orioles in 2021-22. Detroit picked up Nevin in a deal during the 2022-23 offseason, and the Orioles then brought him back in another trade last January. Even with Baltimore’s wealth of young infielders and the presence of Ramon Urias and Jorge Mateo, the O’s still looked to add some more experienced utility depth, though Tony Kemp ended up taking that role rather than Nevin, Maton, or minor league signing Kolten Wong.
Nevin has a modest .203/.310/.301 slash line over 313 plate appearances in the majors, as his ability to handle both corner infield and corner outfield positions has been more valuable than his bat in garnering more time on big-league rosters. He has hit quite well at the Triple-A level of the last two seasons, and as a former first-round pick (38th overall by the Rockies in 2015), there might still be some hope that Nevin can unlock more at the plate as he approaches his 27th birthday.
Seth Brown, Lawrence Butler, and Ryan Noda are all left-handed regulars in the Athletics lineup, so Nevin might fit as a right-handed hitting complement at first base or as a corner outfielder. The rebuilding A’s figure to prioritize playing time for most of their younger players, but Nevin can provide some experienced depth if the Athletics want to give any of their youngsters (perhaps Darell Hernaiz) more regular playing time at Triple-A.
Martinez has a 5.51 ERA in 112 2/3 career MLB innings, all with Oakland in 2022-23. Martinez worked as a starter in 2022 but was used primarily in relief last year, though the role change didn’t lead to any uptick in his uninspiring strikeout or walk rates. Acquired from the Padres as part of the Sean Manaea trade almost exactly two years ago, Martinez’s big league numbers are actually better than his 6.19 ERA in 173 innings of Triple-A ball, as Pacific Coast League batters mashed 39 homers off Martinez in the hitter-friendly environment.