Have you ever noticed that....

[Brisco]

... no one on the Zone ever opposes signing a recognized name player to a minor league contract?

Be it Freddie Garcia, Brandon Webb (the current two being discussed) or whomever, the idea receives almost instant universal support.

Why? I think its because most of us, who really only focus on the majors, view these type of contracts as nominal cost lottery tickets.

When we are talking about minor league contracts, however, isn't the roster spot and play time the real cost?

We always talk about keeping prospects in the minors, even though they could be effective bench players on the ML team, just so they can get regular playing time.

Doesn't every single name signing threaten that playing time?

I get that we have some pitching gaps at AAA, so maybe Garcia makes sense... but just once, i would like the debate over a propspective minor league contract focus on the playtime cost to the players already in our system rather than just focus on the potential for a given name player to return to their glory days and help the Major league ballclub.