Houston Astros Claim Brian Bixler Off Waivers From The Washington Nationals.

by Patrick Reddington on Nov 3, 2011 2:21 PM EDT

The Washington Nationals' purchased Brian Bixler's contract from the Pittsburgh Pirates in August 2010. The then-27-year-old '04 Pirates' 2nd Round pick had been traded to the Cleveland Indians that year then reacquired by the Pirates seven months later. Bixler finished the 2010 season with a .285/.347/.389 combined slash between the three organizations. In Spring Training last year, Bixler impressed with a .316/.339/.605 line, and he had a .326/.483/.370 slash in three weeks at Triple-A when the Nats brought him up to the majors in late April. It was Bixler's first major league action since 2009. The 29-year-old utility infielder had a .205/.267/.265 line in 79 games 94 plate appearances this past season, playing all outfield positions and everywhere but second in the infield. The 6'1'' right-handed hitting and throwing Sandusky, Ohio-born Bixler was reportedly claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros this afternoon, ending his time in the nation's capital. Sure he got picked off too much, but there will always be that catch...

BIXLER!!!

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That catch was all sorts of ugly.

Which is more-or-less what I expect from him out there.

So sorry to see him go. Can I help pack?

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Nov 3, 2011 2:24 PM EDT reply actions

[this comment makes ROBOBix sad]

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Patrick Reddington on Nov 3, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Poor 'Stros fans.

Their ownership must hate them.

"If you ain't got the pants, you ain't got a chance." --PerryMason (on the sartorial component of being a Real Ballplayer)

by Doghouse on Nov 3, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Bix had promise though, didn’t he? When he was first drafted? By Pitt?

"Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do" - USAF Core Values

by sullyzz on Nov 3, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

had a pretty good spring training last year too, and a great run at AAA

maybe he’ll do better again now that he’s back with a minor league team..

by dc Roach on Nov 3, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe his batt will have more pop in the AL

by chubias on Nov 3, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Did Houston move to the AL already? Wish they would already. I’m ready for balanced leagues, and year-long interleague play.

"Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do" - USAF Core Values

by sullyzz on Nov 3, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Never!

Never, I say!

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Nov 3, 2011 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Sad to see him go! Great utility guy even if he has no pop. Check out this blog post on his tenure with the nats. http://loveboatsports.blogspot.com/2011/11/brians-gone.html

by henry.emerson on Nov 3, 2011 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

He may be an upgrade over one of the Astros other utility players Angel Sanchez.

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by Timothy De Block on Nov 3, 2011 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I love his speed though

by Benson L on Nov 3, 2011 2:47 PM EDT reply actions

Can you make do with Lombo and the Shark's speed?

by dc Roach on Nov 3, 2011 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Hmmm

Again, a player cut when there was no particular roster pressure to do so; first Elvyn Ramirez & now RoboBix. Maybe Rizzo is getting warmer & fuzzier, making low cost moves that benefit the player by giving them a chance to hook on elsewhere while roster spots are open around the league.

by d_c_guy on Nov 3, 2011 3:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Elvin was going to happen within a week or so regardless. It’s sad that we didn’t get anything for Bix, but at least it gives the Nats another 40 man spot to play with, which they can certainly use.

by dc Roach on Nov 3, 2011 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions

We are gonna need all the roster spots we can generate, to make room for Fielder, Reyes, Ryan Madson, and Mark Buehrle. 2012 WS…..here we come.

"Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do" - USAF Core Values

by sullyzz on Nov 3, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I get that it opens a roster spot

But they certainly don’t need the spot yet, given that with the free agents off the roster they have several open spots even if you hold one for Wang. We are still a few weeks from when players have to be moved to protect the Rule 5 eligibles, so I just don’t see what is in it for the team to do the move now rather than later.

Except that it’s better for the player, and doing player friendly things can help down the road. That’s what I meant by a warmer & fuzzier Rizzo.

by d_c_guy on Nov 3, 2011 3:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That,

and holding a spot for Bixler is like leaving space on your bookshelf for all your old 8-tracks.

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Nov 3, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Gosh, I miss 8-Tracks! Never had to rewind them!

"Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do" - USAF Core Values

by sullyzz on Nov 3, 2011 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I just passed a guy in the hallway as he was mentioning that he grew up in Houston and is an Astros fan

Dcguy: the Astros just picked up a player from the Nats today
Houstonguy: no kidding? Who?
Dcguy: Brian Bixler
Houstonguy: … … rreeaallyy (clearly has never ever heard of teh RoboBix)

I didn’t tell him. He will learn on his own

by d_c_guy on Nov 3, 2011 4:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Should have told him that Bixler almost stole 40 bases last year,

and that he almost hit .300 with an OBP “near” .400. You don’t have to specify how far away from those numbers he actually was. You can easily spin a .200 BA into “almost .300”. We’re in Washington after all.

-------------------------------------------------
"Save it. I'm goin' for a smoothie."
The Washington Nationals, the team of the 2010s!

by Potomac Fan on Nov 3, 2011 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Clearing out space for the rule V draft

need to protect Norris, Moore, and Meyers IMO

MOAR SEVERINO!

by jeff550 on Nov 3, 2011 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep, plus the Nationals frequently add on the rule 5

by chubias on Nov 3, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Ladson has some Bixler quotes

“Any time you get a new opportunity where a team claims you off waivers, I’m excited about it,” Bixler said. "It is a new door that is opening. I’m excited to meet my new teammates and to be with Houston.

“I’m going to be a little disappointed because I had a good time [in Washington] this last year. I liked everybody in Washington — both on and off the field.”

Bixler said he is thankful the Nationals gave him a chance to show his versatility. For example, he played the outfield for the first time in his career, and made some nice catches in left field.

“I was able to play infield and outfield,” Bixler said. “I put a lot of hard work into it. I was thankful the Nationals gave me that opportunity and believed in me enough to put me out there in situations. That can’t hurt me.”

link

by dc Roach on Nov 3, 2011 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

Whoa, see that! RoboBix loved

Roomba-ing around the outfield! I’m sure Houston has some outfield corners that could use a little Roomba-ing. Good luck to him I guess, except when he comes to DC, pinch runs and gets picked off first or caught stealing by Ramos

by FreddieBallgame on Nov 3, 2011 4:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions