Minor League FA Signings- 2008-09 Offseason

[camisadelgolf]

I want to see Angel Cabrera back with the Reds for 2009

He was just starting to come into his own when he got mixed up with all of that crap involving the brawl

Seeing as how the Reds already have Chris Valaika, Drew M. Anderson, Jake Kahaulelio, Alex Buchholz, Danny Richar, Jeff Keppinger, Luis Bolivar, Mike DeJesus, Jose Castro, Kevyn Feiner, Jose Gualdron, etc., I'm in no hurry to bring back a guy with a history of taunting opposing teams just for the sake of organizational depth. When Cabrera was released, the Reds described him as a non-prospect, so I really don't think he could ever do more than become a Jose Castro-type.

[Doc. Scott]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=2287

Cincinnati Reds
Signed: RHP Mark James, RHP David Shafer, C Humberto Cota, 1B Daryle Ward, OF Jacque Jones

Ward and Jones we know about; not much of a comment from me about either. If they're starting, the Reds are in trouble.

Shafer was traded to Oakland for Kirk Saarloos. David has struggled very badly ever since leaving the Cincinnati organization, both with control as well as health.

Cota is basically replacing the retired Ryan Jorgensen. Humberto spent parts of seven straight years- 2001 through 2007- with the Pirates, of course. Only one year- 2005- did he ever see an abundance of playing time. Last year, with AAA Colorado Springs (Rockies), he appeared in just 37 games.

James, 21, was signed after spending 2008 with Quebec in the independent Can-Am League. It'd be interesting to see how the Reds found out about this guy, as he had logged just twenty-four appearances in pro ball in the Milwaukee system after being drafted by them in the 14th round four years ago.

Colorado Rockies
Signed: RHP Matt Belisle

New York Mets
Signed: RHP Elmer Dessens

Washington Nationals
Signed: C Javier Valentin

[redsmetz]

James, 21, was signed after spending 2008 with Quebec in the independent Can-Am League. It'd be interesting to see how the Reds found out about this guy, as he had logged just twenty-four appearances in pro ball in the Milwaukee system after being drafted by them in the 14th round four years ago.

I found this on a web page here:

http://www.mlntherawfeed.com/basebal...o-cincinn.html

DURHAM, NC – The Can-Am League announced today that Quebec Capitales RHP Mark James has been sold to the Cincinnati Reds organization. James will report to the Reds Spring Training in Sarasota, FL.

James, 21, made 31 appearances for the Capitales going 4-3 with one save and a 3.02 ERA. He fanned 45 batters and walked only 19 in 50 2/3 innings pitched. The Toronto native was a 14th round selection of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2005. He spent two seasons with the Brewers at the rookie level Arizona League.

James is the fifth Can-Am League player to be sold to a major league organization since the end of the 2008 season.

[Slyder]

anyone with any clue as to equivilance of Can-Am ball and the minors?

[redsmetz]

anyone with any clue as to equivilance of Can-Am ball and the minors?

Take it with a grain of salt, but the Wikipedia entry on the league suggests it's similar to Low A.

[Slyder]

Take it with a grain of salt, but the Wikipedia entry on the league suggests it's similar to Low A.

The dude is 21 so there may still time for him. Better showing than he put up for the Brew Crew farm. Maybe he'll find "it" and become something. If not every team needs "filler" so as to not kill the actual prospects.

[M2]

Take it with a grain of salt, but the Wikipedia entry on the league suggests it's similar to Low A.

It's decidedly below that. It's a league of guys who are mostly AA/AAA age who'd struggle in short season ball. Fun to watch, one of the better baseball values out there, but very few players there are ever going to progress to the majors. Reds minor league legend Guye Senjem had himself a few good years in the Can-Am League.

[Slyder]

forgot cant edit after 4 hrs or however long.

[redsmetz]

It's decidedly below that. It's a league of guys who are mostly AA/AAA age who'd struggle in short season ball. Fun to watch, one of the better baseball values out there, but very few players there are ever going to progress to the majors. Reds minor league legend Guye Senjem had himself a few good years in the Can-Am League.

That's why I put up the caveat about taking it with a grain of salt. I will say, though, that I'm all for the club looking under every stone to see if it can come up with the occasional gem. Guys making it from an indy league to the majors are rare, but we'll see what we've got with this guy.

[TRF]

That's why I put up the caveat about taking it with a grain of salt. I will say, though, that I'm all for the club looking under every stone to see if it can come up with the occasional gem. Guys making it from an indy league to the majors are rare, but we'll see what we've got with this guy.

Yeah, The Yankees have had recent success doing this. I love that the Reds are signing guys under 24 from Indy leagues.

[ian_madden]

I like the idea of the reds signing extremely young talent from obscure places, ( ie. 21 yr old from Can Am, teenagers from the Dominican Republic). What I don't like are the constant signings of Dusty's former players from Chicago. Jones hopefully will return to his previous numbers, but if not, I hope that he doesn't eat up a significant amount of time in left field, time that could be better spent giving young inexperienced players needed exposure to major league pitching.

[redsmetz]

I like the idea of the reds signing extremely young talent from obscure places, ( ie. 21 yr old from Can Am, teenagers from the Dominican Republic). What I don't like are the constant signings of Dusty's former players from Chicago. Jones hopefully will return to his previous numbers, but if not, I hope that he doesn't eat up a significant amount of time in left field, time that could be better spent giving young inexperienced players needed exposure to major league pitching.

Constant signings of Dusty's former players? Patterson, Bako and Hairston last year and Jones this year? That's hardly "constant", really.

[camisadelgolf]

The Reds signed Luis Pardo, a 23-year-old who was drafted in the 9th round and signed by the Astros in 2007 for $80,000. He was released in November and is infamous for losing his first 13 decisions as a professional. Overall, his record is 1-17, split between A- and A over two seasons. He throws a fastball (88-92), curveball, and changeup.

http://minors.baseball-reference.com....cgi?pid=34089

I am in awe at just how bad the Astros' 2007 draft was. They lost their first two picks as compensation and failed to sign their 3rd, 4th, and 8th round picks. The 6th and 9th round picks are already released, and their 5th and 7th round draft picks are hardly prospects. And here are many of us on RedsZone, complaining about the Reds drafting Drew Stubbs. Anyway, back to the free agents . . .

In ex-Reds news:
Eric Schaler (2006 31st round draft pick) was released by the Rockies.
Eric Milton was signed by the Dodgers.
The Giants signed three ex-Reds in Rich Aurilia, Ramon Ortiz, and Gabe Suarez.

[ian_madden]

4 players in 2 yrs is pretty constant in my opinion, really. Especially since only 1 last yr was even close to an impact player, JHJ, and he was hurt for a significant portion of the yr. Corey Patterson was a complete waste in cf. Like I said, I would love for Jones to step up and bring his previous numbers to the table. I'm excited, lets see what happens.

[Doc. Scott]

Add one more ex-Cubs player.

Cincinnati signed OF Adam Greenberg.

Greenberg, 28, is famous for an unfortunate thing: he was hit in the head in his very first major league at-bat on July 9, 2005. This finished his season and he's never been back to the bigs since.

Following a troubled 2006 that saw him migrate from the Cubs system to the Dodgers, Greenberg spent 2007 at Double-A Wichita (KC) and divided 2008 between independent Bridgeport in the Atlantic League and Double-A Arkansas (LA Angels).

He's got a fourth outfielder's profile- lacking power but possessing decent plate discipline and speed. As a pro, he's .286/.376/.392. Adam was a ninth-round pick out of the University of North Carolina in 2002.

This YouTube link goes to the SportsCenter Outside the Lines story on Greenberg's 2007 comeback with KC. Interestingly, in the posting, Greenberg says he is likely to begin 2009 with Louisville.