Finding some targets for minor league contracts
ByAh yes, the minor league contract. It’s usually the last resort for players still looking for work as reporting dates draw close, unless they want to try their hands in an independent league, of course. Teams will look for some veteran players to fill in the gaps in their minor league rosters, perhaps bring in an emergency catcher, maybe gamble on an arm coming back from injury, stuff like that. No one goes in expecting to find an above average player that will complete their roster when handing out minor league contracts.
The Yankees have already signed four players to minor league contracts that we know of (Jon Weber, Reid Gorecki, Royce Ring, and David Winfree), and they’ll surely add a few more. The important thing to do with minor league deals is keep expectations low. As in none at all. Most of the time they amount to nothing, but every once in a while you run into a Carlos Pena, who for no reason whatsoever puts it together and becomes a productive player (disclaimer: Pena was arguably the best prospect in baseball once upon a time). More often then not, you’re hoping to get 30 decent mid-season innings or 150 good at-bats as an injury fill-in. Nothing more, nothing less.
Most players who accept minor league deals after spending considerable times in the majors (like the ones I’m listing in this post) usually have an opt-out clause built into their contract, meaning that if they’re not called up the big leagues by a certain date (typically mid-May), they get to become a free agent and seek gainful employment elsewhere. This happened with Brett Tomko last year, who the Yanks called up in early May because he was killing it in Triple-A and they didn’t want to lose him to his opt out clause.
This post was originally going to feature three players I thought would help the Yankees on minor league deals, but then Tyler Walker had to go and sign with the Nationals yesterday afternoon. So now you get just two players. Blame Tyler, not me.
Gabe Gross, OF
After trading away Austin Jackson and Melky Cabrera earlier in the offseason, the Yankees’ outfield depth took a major hit. Gorecki alleviates some of that, however he has zero track record in the big leagues. Same deal with Weber and Colin Curtis. Gross, who you surely remember from his time with the Rays the last few years, was non-tendered despite his reasonable salary ($1.3M in 2009) and remains available.
At age-30, the lefty swinging Gross is what he is, and that’s a league average bat (at best) with very good defense in the outfield corners. Gross’ down season in 2009 (.227-.326-.355, .306 wOBA) followed a three year stretch in which he hit .247-.347-.438 with a .347 wOBA, so any team that signs him would be hoping for an offensive rebound. His three-year UZR in right field is +22.7, which is among the best in the game. Frankly, I’m surprised that someone didn’t gobble Gross up yet (and I’m not alone), even an NL team as a fourth or fifth outfielder. If the Yanks could bring him aboard on a minor league deal and are able to stash him away in Triple-A for a month or two (assuming he’ll get an opt out) as Brett Gardner/Jamie Hoffmann insurance, there’s absolutely no downside.
Photo Credit: Nam Y. Huh, AP
Will Ohman, LHP
One of the game’s more established lefty relievers, Ohman’s season ended in late-May because of an issue with the AC joint in his throwing shoulder. He managed to strain the flexor tendon in his elbow during his rehab, and ended up having surgery on the shoulder in September. Ohman is expected to be ready for Spring Training, though the Dodgers declined his $2.2M option after he posted a 5.84 ERA and lefties had a 1.295 OPS off him in 12.1 IP. They didn’t even bother to offer him arbitration even though he was a Type-B free agent.
When he has health on his side – which, admittedly, is a major question mark right now – Ohman is more than just a serviceable lefty specialist. Prior to his 2009 injury-aided disaster, he held lefty batters to a .197-.283-.317 batting line in 441 plate appearances, striking out close to 30% of ‘em (28.2%, actually). Believe it or not, he was actually throwing harder with the injury last year than he had in the previous few seasons. I’ve never been of the belief that having a lefty in the pen was essential, but when Damaso Marte‘s backup options include Boone Logan and Royce Ring, I don’t see the harm in bringing Ohman aboard on a minor league pact. Assuming he’s game for it, of course.
Photo Credit: James A. Finley, AP
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The Tyler Austin Watch
Gabe Gross is also tobacco free. He doesn’t smoke, dip or chew. That’s according to his constant running PSA’s he did in Florida. I guess they’re less annoying than St. Timmy Tebow’s anti-abortion ads coming to a Super Bowl near you, though.
I hope the Jaguars take Tebow in the second round, so that he can fulfill his dream to stay home in the ultra-conservative part of Florida with his friends, family, and acolytes.
It’ll make it all the more hilarious two years from now when the Jags move to LA.
… and hopefully change their name to the “Los Angeles Heathens” or “Los Angeles Sinners” or “Los Angeles Fornicators” or something awesome.
Yeah, Jacksonville is a wingnut town. I can’t wait to see ole Timmy in the NFL. The first time he tries to throw a pass with his arm down around his waist and some huge defensive lineman almost rips his arm from his shoulder socket, will be fun to watch.
I hope he’s drafted by Oakland. Those would be the most genuine tears ever cried on the NFL draft podium.
What’s worse:
Being drafted by the Raiders
Being drafted by the Clippers
Being drafted by the Royals
Being drafted by an NHL franchise
Tough question.
The Royals isn’t that bad, worse case you serve your 6 years of servitude, and then go sign your big contract elsewhere. More likely is that you’ll be traded as a promising youngster for a veteran that is overpaid, isn’t good, and doesn’t fit with the team. Then you’ll be with a franchise that actually cares about your development.
Yeah, the baseball one is harder to do than the football and basketball ones. I guess it’s easier to play for a losing team during your initial stretch of indentured servitude when you’re playing a non-contact sport with minimal hitting and jumping.
Playing for the Royals/Pirates/Nationals/etc. sucks. But playing for the Raiders/Clippers, that’s a living hell.
Clippers. Easy. Blake Griffin.
I’d say the Clippers. Every top pick they touch goes bad. See Darius Miles, Michael Olowakandi and now Blake Griffin.
I’ll go with the Clip Joint as being the worst option. First off, the owner is a racist who just settled a lawsuit with the federal government concerning discriminatory housing practices. Second, the team itself has a serious history of suckitude. Third, the franchise has recently seen potentially transcendent players (Livingston, Griffin) go down with catastrophic injuries. And last, you automatically play second/third/fourth fiddle to the other pro sports teams in town (Lakers, Dodgers, USC Football).
Said by some dude sitting behind a computer, whom Tebow would leave cleat marks on, if he ever figured how to lace ‘em up and find the football field.
Keep your political opinions to yourself.
http://img144.imageshack.us/im.....lkavl3.jpg
Nice try, but I think the point is that Timmy should keep his political opinions to himself.
You get the ‘internet tough guy’ award for RAB today.
Congrats.
http://www.cracked.com/article.....rs_p2.html (Safe)
bo = ninja
Well done.
Myabe that commenter has an actual job unlike the liberals in this chat room.
This will end badly.
I’m sure Tim Tebow knows how to lace up cleats and find a football field.
I’m pretty sure I didn’t express my political opinions, I made light of Tebow’s political/religious opinions. And, I never said that I was going to rip his arm off, but a huge defensive lineman will. I can’t help it if Tim Tebow has poor throwing mechanics.
Vin, I’m the last person on here that tries to offend anyone, so, sorry if I offended you.
Now, go get your shinebox.
Vin, I’m the last person on here that tries to offend anyone, so, sorry if I offended you.
Yeah, that’s me, not Andy.
At least you do admit that you would not be able to rip Tebow’s arm off. LOL.
Oh no, it’s my capital V doppelganger.
I guess they’re less annoying than St. Timmy Tebow’s anti-abortion ads coming to a Super Bowl near you, though.
I’ll be so mad if I see this. All that home schooling shananigans messed up his ability to think clearly.
No, being a virgin this long messed him up.
Lets not go down this road on a baseball blog.
http://misterirrelevant.com/wp.....wcrocs.jpg safe
Crocs?
Dear God, someone please save that baby before it’s too late.
Tebow wears crocs when he isn’t wearing cleats.
I assume that Tebow’s non-gameday wardrobe consists of a pair of Crocs, a chastity belt, and an extra-large piece of the True Cross, borrowed from good buddy Ned Flanders.
Wow, Tebow would leave Croc marks on your face so watch yourself.
Ned Flanders… another lefty.
http://www.leftorium.com/
Figure for Ohman, Yanks are a good a fit as any, were if he performs there is definitely a bullpen spot available.
For Gross less so, with already 4 OF on the team (and only BG being able to be sent down) Gross would have more of an up-hill battle with the Yanks than potentially other teams, especially given there isn’t a right handed caddy for him to platoon with.
Figure for Ohman, Yanks are a good a fit as any, were if he performs there is definitely a bullpen spot available.
there is?
MO, marte, robertson, hughes/joba, gaudin, mitre, aceves.
Mitre’s gonna have to be traded for a bag of balls if we bring in Ohman and he has a dynamite spring.
right, im not saying that isnt an option, but there is not “definitely a bullpen spot available”
A few more names to consider who may be willing to settle for a MiL deal:
Wily Mo Peña
Marcus Thames
Hank Blalock
Noah Lowry (although he may be signing with the Mets http://metsmerizedonline.com/2.....-soon.html )
Eric Milton
Kevin Gregg (probably gets a ML deal from someone, though – still a great sleeper)
David Weathers
Wily Mo should be added just to take Shelley’s enforcer roll.
I agree. He should also take Shelley’s enforcer role as well.
hank blaylock…wow!
how the mighty have fallen. is he down to minor league offers, at age 29 no less?
OPS+ Of 86 will do that to ya
Yeah, I just looked at Hanks’ numbers for the last few seasons on fangraphs and they are underwhelming to say the least. He may still be worth taking a flier on as there is no way he could be as craptastic as Handsome Cody.
What foresight by the writers of Major League when writing Pedro Cerrano’s character. He is Wily Mo Pena in nutshell.
Wily Mo need hats for bats.
Wily Mo just needs to find Jobu. And the Yankees have Joba. Match made in heaven.
Here’s a quick question. What ever happened to Kris Benson? I looked him up because I got him confused with Eric Milton for some reason. Apparently he didn’t pitch at all in 2007 or 2008 and got lit up last year throwing 22 innings for Texas in 2009?
His hot wife must have left him by now…
His shoulder gave out on him.
Probably blew it out in a fight with another guy… over his wife.
I read his rotator cuff was torn when he was trying to extract his arm.
Wikipedia says they’re still married.
So now you get just two players. Blame Tyler, not me.
Tyler Walker & his agent should be consulting RAB before the timing of any contract announcements, very poor decision on his part.
I blame Tyler.
Tyler Durden.
Not a bad website for those who like comical celebrity news lol
http://www.wwtdd.com (SAFE)
Yeah, that’s not necessarily the “safest” website to bring up at work. Just sayin…
Roy Munson: Is this legal?
Ernie McCracken: I don’t know. It’s fun, though, isn’t it?
Yeah that’s probably best in the “safe-ish” to “not safe” category
For whatever reason that website is not blocked at my work…but if I want results of last night’s Monday Night Raw card…that will be blocked on some sites.
Make any sense?
I’ll save you the suspense. The answer is “No.”
If the Yankees put in a claim for Joe Inglett he would have to go to the big boys roster right?
Yes. I was thinking about him as a utility guy, but he kinda stinks.
As do most bench players. Doesnt seem THAT bad tho. Can hit at a decent clip, but obviously no power at all. Can play everywhere. Couldnt be that bad
Still a ton of veteran guys out there are versatile fielders with league-average bats.
Hank Blalock, Adam Kennedy, Ronnie Belliard, Chad Tracy, Ryan Garko and Nomar round out the infielders
Ryan Freel, Darin Erstad, Fernando Tatis and Marcus Thames are the guys who are better suited to the OF
Formerly productive pitchers like Adam Eaton, Braden Looper, Todd Wellemeyer, Odalis Perez, Jason Jennings and Miguel Batista could probably be had for under a million
Also a few notable relievers still looking for employment: Russ Springer, Joe Nelson, Ron Mahay, Joe Beimel and Duaner Sanchez have all had varying levels of success in the past
Wow – if you keep reading -some of this thread was actually about baseball! Here’s hoping Brett’s extra bat work over the off season helps make this clear cut in ST.
Meanwhile, I really can’t wait to see what we’re all saying about this topic by the All Star Break. I bet it’s something totally er, um, out of left field. . ..
RAB: Come for the insults, stay for the profanity.
And the great view from the Garden Apartment’s.
If you can get past all the useless movie quotes, memes and nonsense you can actually get some baseball talk. It ain’t easy.
Bo’s right.
One of our most persistent memes here at RAB is Bo. He’s the most frequently appearing meme, and the least entertaining one by far.
So are we officially rooting for the A’s to sign Sheets so they’ll be priced out on Damon?
I still Like Gomes.. Only has to start a third or so of the games.. hits lefties well.. and has AL east experience.. and Cheap… Young yada yada yada
I think the Cubs are itching to give him a major league contract. That’s why I left him out of my list.
Unfortunately Gomes is a horrendous fielder
But he’s a splendiferous hitter!
/ClydeFrazier’d
What will prob end up happening is they’ll go into ST wanting to see what one of their invites has in them… and go from there.
All i know for sure is if Levine was still making decisions we’d probably have already signed Jim Edmonds to a 3 year deal..
Plus, Will Ohman is really, really funny:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZWjdDTjtXw (safe)
The one thing they will def target and add is minor league depth in the OF. One injury means Curtis is starting games. And that cant happen.
i was home schooled when i was still very young and i have to stay that it is also a great way to educate your kids ‘;*