On the Fringe

I had a draft of this story almost ready to go last week. The transaction wire, though, doesn’t slow down for my revisions, not anymore than the flu strain and various unidentified stomach viruses that have visited my home over the past few weeks.

(Here’s a friendly reminder to wash your hands.)

The two primary subjects of this piece, Ryan Brasier and Luis Vazquez, recently found themselves in a territory familiar to many players this time of year: roster limbo.

Brasier was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on January 30, giving Los Angeles seven days to trade or release the player. Vazquez was acquired by the Orioles from the Cubs on January 31 before being designated for assignment — after the O’s acquired a preferred player — four days later. Vazquez went unclaimed on outright waivers and remains a member of Baltimore’s organization, albeit in the minor leagues.

That last paragraph is not going to end up in any collections of the best baseball writing. I know that. But I must ad…