Minor League Free Agent Signings

[camisadelgolf]

I guess we can keep them all in one thread for reference, just like last season.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: OF Ryan LaPensee (NDFA—Wayne State (Mich.)), 3B Sean Burroughs

Atlanta Braves
Signed: OF Brent Clevlen (re-signed), OF Beau Torbert (Sioux Falls (American Association)), RHP Jay Sborz, OF Jose Costanza, 3B Ed Lucas, UT Wilkin Castillo, 3B Shawn Bowman
Released: C Chris Anderson, 1B Alberto Odreman, 3B Samuel Sime, OF Luis Sumoza

Baltimore Orioles
Signed: LHP Will Startup (re-signed), C Adam Donachie (re-signed), 1B Austin Rauch (re-signed), SS Carlos Rojas (re-signed), RHP Mitch Atkins

Boston Red Sox
Signed: 2B Drew Sutton
Released: LHP Nestor Lastreto, LHP Richie Wasielewski, C Chia-Chu Chen, C Sean Killeen, 2B Jordan Sallis, RHP Chez Angeloni

Chicago Cubs
Signed: RHP Angel Guzman (re-signed), RHP Mike Parisi (re-signed), LHP J.R. Mathes (re-signed), OF Jim Adduci (re-signed), 1B/LF Bryan LaHair (re-signed), 2B Bobby Scales (re-signed)
Released: C Mark Johnson, OF Brad Snyder

Chicago White Sox
Signed: 3B Dallas McPherson
Released: C Donny Lucy

Cincinnati Reds
Signed: C Corky Miller (re-signed), LHP Dontrelle Willis
Released: LHP Ben Jukich

Cleveland Indians
Signed: RHP Anthony Reyes (re-signed)
Released: C Luke Carlin, C Chris Gimenez, C Miguel Fuentes

Colorado Rockies
Signed: RHP Jonnathan Aristil (re-signed), 2B Jason Van Kooten (re-signed)

Detroit Tigers
Signed: LHP Ramon Garcia (re-signed), C Max St. Pierre (re-signed), RHP Enrique Gonzalez (re-signed)
Released: RHP Eddie Bonine, 2B Carmelo Jaime

Florida Marlins
Signed: RHP Zach Dials, LHP Darin Downs, LHP Mark McLemore (Chico (Golden)), OF Jose Duarte, 1B/OF Josh Kroeger

Houston Astros
Signed: RHP Casey Fien, RHP Jose Valdez (re-signed), LHP Doug Arguello (re-signed), 2B Anderson Hernandez (re-signed), RHP Fernando Rodriguez, RHP Ross Wolf, C Carlos Corporan

Kansas City Royals
Signed: RHP Julio Pimentel (re-signed), SS Mario Lisson (re-signed), RHP Steven Shell (re-signed), OF Brett Carroll (re-signed), RHP Luis Mendoza (re-signed), RHP Julio Cesar Pimentel (re-signed), C Cody Clark (re-signed), SS Irving Falu (re-signed), 3B Mario Lisson (re-signed), 3B Jamie Romak (re-signed)
Released: Brian Bannister

Los Angeles Angels
Signed: RHP Tony Pluta (Victoria (Golden)), C Travis Scott (Rockford (Northern)), 3B Ricky Alvarez (re-signed)
Released: RHP Bobby Mosebach, OF Cory Aldridge

Los Angeles Dodgers
Signed: LHP Abner Ruiz (re-signed), SS Christian Lara (re-signed), RHP Kazuya Takano, LHP Kazuki Nishijima, C Hector Gimenez, LHP Dana Eveland

Milwaukee Brewers
Signed: RHP Tim Dillard (re-signed), RHP Zack Segovia

Minnesota Twins
Signed: RHP Kyle Waldrop (re-signed), C Jair Fernandez (re-signed), RHP Yorman Bazardo, LHP Jake Stevens, 2B Chase Lambin, LHP Phil Dumatrait, 1B/OF Jeff Bailey, 1B/OF Justin Huber
Released: C Frederic Hanvi, 1B In Kyun Kang, 2B Yancarlo Franco, 2B Drew Thompson, 3B Yorby Martinez, OF Michael Harrington

New York Mets
Signed: RHP Ryan Coultas (re-signed), RHP John Lujan (re-signed), OF Valentino Pascucci (re-signed), LHP Mike O'Connor (re-signed)
Released: RHP Cole Abbott, RHP Dan McDonald, RHP Tim Stronach, RHP Zach Von Tersch, C Jordan Abruzzo, 2B Andy Green, 3B Marinus Vernooij, OF Kurt Steinhauer, C Omir Santos, 3B Mike Hessman

New York Yankees
Signed: 2B Luis Nunez (re-signed), RHP Rafael DePaula, LHP Neal Cotts
Released: LHP Royce Ring, RHP Jonathan Albaladejo

Oakland Athletics
Signed: LHP Travis Blackley (re-signed), RHP Gabe DeHoyos, OF Jai Miller, 3B Adam Heether, RHP Anthony Lerew
Released: RHP Boof Bonser, 3B Jeff Larish

Philadelphia Phillies
Signed: LHP Drew Rundle (re-signed), C Torre Langley (re-signed), C Dane Sardinha (re-signed), 2B Keoni Ruth (re-signed), SS Fidel Hernandez (re-signed), LHP Dan Meyer, 3B/1B Jeff Larish, 2B Josh Barfield, LHP Ryan Feierabend, OF Brandon Moss

Pittsburgh Pirates
Signed: 2B Greg Picart (re-signed), LHP Justin Thomas (re-signed)
Released: RHP Chris Jakubauskas, RHP Steven Jackson, LHP Justin Thomas, OF Brandon Moss

St. Louis Cardinals
Signed: LHP Raul Valdes

San Diego Padres
Signed: 3B/LF Jesus Guzman

San Francisco Giants
Signed: LHP Matthew Yourkin (re-signed)

Seattle Mariners
Signed: RHP Jarrett Grube (re-signed), RHP Stephen Kahn (re-signed), RHP Mumba Rivera (re-signed), RHP Alfredo Venegas (re-signed), C Ralph Henriquez (re-signed), C Jose Yepez (re-signed), 3B Leury Bonilla (re-signed), RHP Justin Miller, RHP Yusmeiro Petit (re-signed), SS Sean Kazmar, SS Luis Rodriguez, LHP Fabio Castro
Released: C Guillermo Quiroz

Tampa Bay Rays
Signed: RHP Drew Leary (NDFA—San Diego State), 2B J.J. Furmaniak (re-signed), RHP Cory Wade
Released: 1B Jose Ruiz

Texas Rangers
Signed: RHP Chris Mobley (re-signed), C Kevin Cash, SS Travis Adair (re-signed), SS Guilder Rodriguez (re-signed), RHP Barret Loux
Released: RHP Brandon McCarthy

Toronto Blue Jays
Signed: RHP B.J. Lamura (re-signed), C Joe Bowen (re-signed), LHP Willie Collazo (re-signed), LHP Mike Hinckley
Released: RHP Zach Anderson, RHP Chris Enourato

Washington Nationals
Signed: 2B Adam Fox (re-signed), RHP Carlos Martinez (re-signed), RHP Tim Wood
Released: RHP Joe Bisenius

[Red Leader]

I think THIS is the year that Yusmeiro Petit finally puts it all together and wins the Cy Young.

[camisadelgolf]

Originally Posted by Red Leader

I think THIS is the year that Yusmeiro Petit finally puts it all together and wins the Cy Young.

He really is a franchise player. I just know the Mets are punching themselves for letting him go in the deal for Carlos Delgado + cash.

Anyway, the Mariners also signed LHP Chris Seddon and OF Mike Wilson.

The Dodgers signed RHP Oscar Villarreal.

[camisadelgolf]

The Orioles signed RHP Josh Rupe.

[camisadelgolf]

Dang, the Mariners sure are active this winter. They also signed RHP Charlie Heager and RHP Chris Smith.
The Milwaukee Brewers signed OF Brandon Boggs.
The Houston Astros released LHP Tim Byrdak and LHP Gustavo Chacin.
RHP Bryan Bullington, who was just released by the Royals, is going to sign with the Hiroshima Carp.

[corkedbat]

Have the Royals gone out and cornered the "Julio Pimentel" market or what?

[batsfan]

According to Baseball America's minor league transactions:

Cincinnati Reds
Signed: RHP Chad Reineke (re-signed)

Though Reineke seemed as though he got hit hard in many of his starts, and his peripheral numbers were not good (His stats at Statcorner.com are scary), he was pretty solid all year, and ended up with a 3.91 era. Hopefully, he can continue this performance with the Bats next year.

[Orenda]

I like that Sutton signing for Boston. One of my favorite moves Jocketty made was acquiring him for Jeff Keppinger. There is much to like about him from a roster perspective, switch hitter who plays multiple positions and has had some solid minor league numbers. Hopefully he'll be able to have some major league success for them, i'll be pulling for him.

[fearofpopvol1]

Originally Posted by Orenda

One of my favorite moves Jocketty made was acquiring him for Jeff Keppinger.

Really? Keppinger this year over a full season's worth of PAs for the Astros was 2.5 WAR while Sutton did absolutely nothing in a Reds uniform. Not sure what there is to love about the move itself.

I would grant you that Keppinger was awful at SS with the Reds and with Phillips at 2B, there just wasn't much room for him in Cincy.

In my opinion, it's hard to see how the Sutton move was good for Cincy.

[camisadelgolf]

Originally Posted by fearofpopvol1

Really? Keppinger this year over a full season's worth of PAs for the Astros was 2.5 WAR while Sutton did absolutely nothing in a Reds uniform. Not sure what there is to love about the move itself.

I would grant you that Keppinger was awful at SS with the Reds and with Phillips at 2B, there just wasn't much room for him in Cincy.

In my opinion, it's hard to see how the Sutton move was good for Cincy.

He was an unneeded cog due for a raise into 7-digit category, and he would've blocked the progress of guys like Paul Janish, Juan Francisco, etc.

[fearofpopvol1]

Originally Posted by camisadelgolf

He was an unneeded cog due for a raise into 7-digit category, and he would've blocked the progress of guys like Paul Janish, Juan Francisco, etc.

Barely the 7 digit range. I'd hardly call 1.15M for 2.5 WAR a bad deal. For comparison, Francisco and Janish together combined to put up 1.1 WAR on the year.

At any rate, I don't really disagree with what you've said, but rather, I don't see how the Reds acquiring Sutton in exchange for Keppinger was all that great. While I agree that Keppinger didn't have much of a place on the team, Sutton did absolutely nothing (unless you count being released as something) while Keppinger actually had a pretty solid season.

[mth123]

I was all in favor of dealing Keppinger for Sutton when it happened, but Keppinger would look pretty good right now as the caddy for Rolen and Phillips and could probably play a little 1B when Votto needs a day. With Phillips and Rolen being RH, a LH Bat for that role would be better, but Kepp would be pretty good for that. I sure don't want to see him anywhere on an every day basis and only at SS in an emergency, but Kepp could be useful and he's probably a best case model for Chris Valaika.

[Orenda]

Originally Posted by fearofpopvol1

Barely the 7 digit range. I'd hardly call 1.15M for 2.5 WAR a bad deal. For comparison, Francisco and Janish together combined to put up 1.1 WAR on the year.

At any rate, I don't really disagree with what you've said, but rather, I don't see how the Reds acquiring Sutton in exchange for Keppinger was all that great. While I agree that Keppinger didn't have much of a place on the team, Sutton did absolutely nothing (unless you count being released as something) while Keppinger actually had a pretty solid season.

I know Sutton didn't do anything but I think that he was a good guy to target. He is a switch hitting infielder who is an on-base machine, at least in the minors. He plays all around the infield and started to play a little in the outfield. That is almost a perfect guy to have for the bench. Unfortunately he didn't do much in his brief stint.

He is probably better off with Boston anyways. Just because it was my favorite moves doesn't mean i think it was the best in terms of helping the reds. Personally, I was hoping Sutton and Rosales would have been on the bench last season but that's just me.

[Orenda]

Originally Posted by fearofpopvol1

Barely the 7 digit range. I'd hardly call 1.15M for 2.5 WAR a bad deal. For comparison, Francisco and Janish together combined to put up 1.1 WAR on the year.

At any rate, I don't really disagree with what you've said, but rather, I don't see how the Reds acquiring Sutton in exchange for Keppinger was all that great. While I agree that Keppinger didn't have much of a place on the team, Sutton did absolutely nothing (unless you count being released as something) while Keppinger actually had a pretty solid season.

what his WAR his 2 seasons prior to this past season? When they traded him he was coming off a year where he had just OPS'd 657. Actually I think that was a great trade. If Jocketty makes a habit of trading guys who OPS .657 over a full season and don't play great defense for guys with Sutton's skill set I think the Reds will be fine long term.

[fearofpopvol1]

Originally Posted by Orenda

what his WAR his 2 seasons prior to this past season? When they traded him he was coming off a year where he had just OPS'd 657. Actually I think that was a great trade. If Jocketty makes a habit of trading guys who OPS .657 over a full season and don't play great defense for guys with Sutton's skill set I think the Reds will be fine long term.

You cannot discount the fact that Keppinger was coming off a big injury and did not receive a full season's worth of PAs.