Former Pirates Jack Taschner and Ramon Vazquez have found new homes in the minor league systems of the Dodgers and Astros, respectively.
↵Taschner, who posted a 6.05 ERA in 17 games for the Pirates this year, will play for Triple-A Albuquerque. Taschner refused a minor league assignment from the Pirates a few weeks back, arguing that his ERA was artificially inflated by a disastrous four-run outing against Philadelphia on May 17 and that he had pitched well overall. Unfortunately, disaster outings do count in the stats, and it isn't as if Taschner has any sustained record of success, with a 5.10 career ERA and an awful 1.63 career WHIP. The Dodgers' bullpen had a few weak links at the start of the season, but it has come together nicely since then; Taschner probably would have had a better shot at a big-league role if he'd stayed with the Pirates.
↵Vazquez, meanwhile, will be the new shortstop for the Astros' Triple-A affiliate in Round Rock. It's hard to imagine Vazquez getting another extended shot in the majors, even with a team with as dire a shortstop situation as the Astros, who have gotten less offense from the position than any team except Baltimore and who recently lost starter Tommy Manzella with a broken finger.