Jose

Paniagua

There’s a name from the past. Paniagua has been out of baseball since the White Sox released him last September after he made an obscene gesture at the home plate umpire following his only appearance. If the Phillies sign him, it will be to a minor league contract.

Paniagua, who has been out of baseball since last September, auditioned for the Phillies in New York. Obviously, the Philadelphia braintrust was not impressed.

Paniagua made the smart move, picking a team he had a chance to pitch for instead of signing with the Red Sox. Paniagua will be behind the rest of Tampa Bay’s pitchers, so he might begin the year in Triple-A. However, he’ll probably join the team’s bullpen eventually and it’s not an impossibility that he’ll enter the mix at closer.

Paniagua is worthy of a minor league contract, but since Boston has signed several relievers both for itself and Pawtucket, the former Mariner and Tiger would be better off heading elsewhere.

It was probably the bad behavior last night that got Paniagua released, but he didn’t deserve the roster spot anyway. Assuming no other team picks him up, Paniagua will finish the year with a 108.00 ERA.

Paniagua, who making his first appearance since being called up a week ago, doesn’t really have any business being in the majors right now. The White Sox might just go ahead and release him on Wednesday.

Paniagua, who was released by Tampa Bay during the spring, had pitched for a couple of teams in Mexico this season. It’s unlikely that he’ll join the White Sox next month.

We don’t understand what the team’s sudden love affair with Paniagua is all about. He didn’t even pitch well in his three appearances for Charlotte, and it’s not like he was throwing well in Mexico before signing last week. He should just be a mop-up man.

Paniagua made just one appearance in a major league game after signing with the Devil Rays last month.

He’s not going to get one. When he decides he’s willing to accept a minor league contract, the Red Sox will offer him one.