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Where will Armando Galarraga land?

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If there is anyone in baseball who views pitchers with attitudes as a problem in the clubhouse it would be Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers. The Diamondbacks announced that they designated Armando Galarraga for assignment to make room for infielder Willie Bloomquist after Galarraga had a mini-meltdown talking to reporters after he went five innings and surrendered five runs. 

"It was kind of a breaking point for us, and we just felt it was time to make a change there," D-backs GM Kevin Towers said. "Armando's got good stuff. We saw that in the American League, that was what was attractive about bringing him on here to add depth to the rotation. For him it was just the location of his fastball."

Towers made headlines in 2009 when he released former first overall draft pick Matt Bush. Bush, a converted pitcher, was involved in a drunken altercation at high school campus, which triggered his release. It was a big deal that not surprisingly came with a bulk of criticism, especially because it would make sense to see what can come of your top overall draft pick. It has had little ramifications for the Padres, who at least got something in return when they traded him to the Blue Jays.

The Diamondbacks now have 10 days to either trade, release, or send him to the minors. If he is sent outright to the Minors and refuses, he would forfeit the 2.3 million dollars he is owed this season. But Galarraga, 29, won over a lot of fans after the way he handled the blown call during his near-perfect game with Detroit, and could serve as an extra arm in the bullpen to be worked into the rotation if he can show signs of life. Let's take a look at who could benefit from the right-hander. 

The Pirates were what one executive would describe as "luke-warm" on Galarraga over the offseason, and could benefit from Galarraga in the bullpen or rotation. The Pirates are holding on to fourth place in the division, but what do they have to lose by adding him. He will be looking to join a new team and prove he is capable of being a great pitcher. He has shown flashes of that greatness, but has never been able to put it fully together. 

The Red Sox are also an interesting option mostly because they are looking for depth around the league and are especially hot. He would likely have to go to Triple-A for a start or two, but that is hardly a sacrifice if you will be pitching for the Red Sox come the All-Star Break.

Other teams that have expressed interest in the past few months include the Indians, Nationals, Rockies, and Royals.

 

Eli Greenspan is a featured writer for MLB Daily Dish. He has written about baseball since 2006, in that time covering four Winter Meetings and amassing over 70 interviews with players, agents, and executives. He founded Eli's MLB Rumors, which went on to become MLB Daily Dish. You can email him here or follow him on twitter here.