photo: Anthony Misiewicz (Mark J. Reilas/USA TODAY Sports)
The St. Louis Cardinals acquired left-handed reliever Anthony Misiewicz from the Kansas City Royals and designated for assignment right-hander James Naile on his 30th birthday.
St. Louis Cardinals press release
The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Wednesday, February 8) that they have acquired left-handed reliever Anthony Misiewicz (mih-SEV-itch) from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for cash considerations.
Misiewicz, 28, split the 2022 season between Seattle and Kansas City, going a combined 1-2 with a 4.34 ERA (29.0 IP) and 27 strikeouts in 32 relief outings.
The 6-1, 196 lb. left-hander has pitched in 119 Major League games between Seattle (2020-22) and Kansas City (2022) over his three-year career, recording a 6-9 record, 4.43 ERA (103.2 IP) and 105 strikeouts, while limiting opposing left-handed batters to .250/.288/.361 (45-180) clip with a .649 OPS.
Since the Detroit, Michigan native made his Major League debut in 2020, Misiewicz ranks 7th among American League leaders in appearances (119, 7th) and holds (32, T-5th). The former Michigan State Spartan also led Seattle in appearances in back-to-back seasons: 66 games in 2021 and 21 games in 2020.
Additionally, St. Louis announced that it designated right-handed pitcher James Naile for assignment. The Cardinals 40-player roster remains at capacity with today’s transaction.
Brian Walton’s take
Well, the price is low and the risk is low, but how much upside is there?
St. Louis is Misiewicz’ fourth organization with his last two moves made in the last six months in return for cash. He was originally Tampa Bay’s 18th round selection in the 2015 draft and had reached Double-A when he was part of a multi-player trade with the Mariners in August 2017.
Misiewicz was a starter through 2019, when he first was promoted to Triple-A. After a non-roster camp invitation in 2020, he worked in Seattle’s alternate camp prior to his July 24, 2020 MLB debut. He remained in the majors through the remainder of 2020 and all of 2021.
However, Misiewicz’ 2021 was interrupted by three separate injured list moves, the last due to a forearm strain. Even so, he still led the M’s with 66 appearances. He began 2022 in the Seattle bullpen, but was optioned to the minors on June 10. On July 31, he was designated for assignment and sold to the Royals the next day.
In his 104 appearances with the Mariners from 2020-2022, he logged a 4.48 ERA to go with 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings and 2.8 walks per nine.
With Kansas City, Misiewicz was initially assigned to Triple-A Omaha before joining the Royals from August 24 through the remainder of the season. He made 15 appearances with a 4.11 ERA and an improved 11.2 K/9 rate.
The Royals had designated Misiewicz for assignment on Friday, February 3, removing him from their 40-man roster to make room for re-signed pitcher Zack Greinke. From there, the Cardinals acquired Misiewicz’ services.
Naile’s birthday present
Speaking of DFA, that is the same 30th birthday present Naile received from the Cardinals on Wednesday.
The Cape Girardeau native joined the Cardinals via minor league free agency in November 2021 and made his MLB and St. Louis debut on June 27, 2022. He was added to the 40-man roster at that time.
With the Cardinals, the right-hander allowed five earned runs in nine innings on seven hits including two home runs, two walks and five strikeouts. Sent down four times to Memphis, Naile made 44 appearances for the Redbirds with a 3.31 ERA.
Designated for assignment means unless Naile is claimed off waivers by another organization, the Cardinals have five days to trade, release or outright him to the minor leagues. The latter, in which case he remains in the organization, is the most likely scenario.
Where does Misiewicz fit?
Misiewicz becomes the fifth 40-man roster left-handed reliever candidate for likely two relief spots. The incumbents are Zack Thompson, Packy Naughton, Genesis Cabrera and JoJo Romero. Though all four received time with St. Louis, the former two ended 2022 with St. Louis with the other two at Triple-A Memphis.
Even if Misiewicz isn’t on the 26-man Opening Day roster, as long as he holds his 40-man spot, he should remain a primary candidate to return to St. Louis on the I-55 shuttle from Memphis, in contention with the other two 40-man roster lefties who won’t make the team initially. Misiewicz has two option years remaining.
This off-season, the Cardinals also added two other left-handers via minor league free agency prior to Misiewicz. However, neither are on the 40-man roster, and of the two, only recent free agent signee Andrew Suarez has a non-roster invitation to big league camp. Kenny Hernandez will open the spring in minor league camp so is not a short-term competitor for a spot with St. Louis.
Update 2/10
As expected, Naile cleared waivers.
RHP James Naile has been outrighted to the Memphis (AAA) roster and will remain at Major League camp as a non-roster invitee.
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) February 10, 2023
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