Pitcher Michael Roth Waives Goodbye to Angels

The Angels pulled pitcher Michael Roth off of their 40-Man roster last week to protect a few minor league prospects. He cleared waivers today but, having cleared them for the second time in his professional career with the same organization, had the right to choose free agency over a minor league assignment and he did just that.

Alden Gonzalez confirmed the news and MLB protocol...

Roth, 24, was able to become a FA 28 months into his pro career because it was his second time clearing waivers with the same organization.

— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) November 25, 2014

As a free agent. Roth can now have his agent work out a deal with any big league club While the Angels technically could try to sign him, the pitcher's tweeting was a sweet parting...

Thank you to the @Angels! Some great people in that organization. Looking forward to the next adventure!

— Michael Roth (@mtRoth29) November 26, 2014

Did Jerry Dipoto realize the rules when he waived Roth last week? Was he confident Roth would stay with the Halos without a spot on the club's roster? The club protected minor league pitcher Danny Reynolds in his spot.

Roth was the first player taken in the 2012 draft to reach the major leagues. Drafted in the ninth round, he was called up to the Halos in April of 2013 and pitched two innings of relief in a win over the Astros on April 13.

Although his 7.79 ERA in 32 big league innings over two season looks terrible, Roth had a 2.62 ERA in AA Arkansas last season when he was a smidge younger than the average player at that level. He will be 25 when Pitchers and Catchers report in Spring and the blame for his absence in Tempe then can be squarely laid at Dipoto's feet. The Halos ust got zilch for a developing able-bodied lefty who projects to be at worst an innings-eating fourth starter.