So Long, Steve - Thanks?

Steve Trachsel has finally been designated for assignment by the O's. Assuming that no one picks him up, Trachsel's solid career is over. It may not have looked solid recently, but the guy pitched in the big leagues for 16 years. He had a string of five straight 200 inning seasons and was even an All-Star once (1996). He may not have been fantastic, but his 99 ERA+ shows him to be about a league average starter. While I admit that I always hated seeing him on the mound for the Birds, he did net them three OK prospects last year and seems like a pretty good guy. He just never developed the control that you need when you get older and your stuff goes away. I wish Steve all the best in whatever he decides to do now.

In related news, the team brought up Oscar Salazar from AAA to provide a righty bat off the bench. They guy is hitting well this year (311 / 355 / 486) but is already 30 and somewhat defensively challenged.