The Minnesota Twins announced Friday morning that they’ve signed reliever Matt Belisle to a one-year deal worth $2.05 million.
(READ: Our full breakdown of the Belisle signing from Thursday.)
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Twins have designated first baseman/designated hitter Byungho Park for assignment.
It’s a moderate surprise that Park was on the chopping block, but most likely the expectation is that he’ll clear waivers and be outrighted to Rochester. From there, he’d receive a non-roster invitation to spring training, and could be sent to Triple-A at the end of spring assuming the Twins don’t have room for him.
Park will likely clear waivers due to being owed $8.75 million over the next three years with a $500k buyout of his 2020 on the books as well. In essence, the Park move was likely one of the least risky as far as losing actual talent in the organization. But if he is claimed, the Twins are off the hook for the rest of his salary.
The 30-year-old Park hit just .191/.275/.409 with 12 home runs in 62 MLB games and followed that up with a .224/.297/.526 line in 31 games at Rochester before his season ended in mid-August due to wrist/hand issues which required surgery.