Email a copy of 'Minor League Free Agents Finding Major League Deals' to a friend
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By Tim Dierkes | at
Email a copy of 'Minor League Free Agents Finding Major League Deals' to a friend
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haplito
Define “upside”?
johnsilver
Baltimore has found one also like this.. One of their best SP who flies under the radar.. Miguel Gonzalez. Boston took him in the rule 5 draft several years ago, he promptly got hurt (forget what it was, but it was terribly bad) and he missed 2y. They released him, Baltimore picks him up and for 2y he has been a solid #2, if not 3 SP.
Ruben_Tomorrow
The chances of these guys succeeding in the majors, seems as equivalent to the chances of the Rule 5 guys making it. I instantly think of guys like Matt Antonelli and Greg Burke getting major league deals for doing nothing in the majors, and even having pedestrian minor league numbers. There are more but I guess it makes more sense to give “younger” guys a nice contract for not accomplishing much, instead of giving Jamey Carroll or Jason Kubel a major league deal at this point in their careers. Personally, I would like to see the Rule 5 gain more support. The spike in major league deals to minor leaguers seem to have weakened the Rule 5.
richardsteeleMD
Dan Duquette is redefining what it means to be a GM.
section 34
Let’s let him have a little more success first. The wild-card team in 2012 was largely Andy MacPhail’s creation.
It’s a shame Duquette has to work under inexplicably tight budget restrictions, but he does seem creative within them.
123redsox
he is a great GM. He has seemed to turn the O’s around and he put together the redSox 2003 team and the w.s. team in 04′ and many of those guys stuck around for 07′
whacked
If that’s so, I prefer Billy Beane’s definition.
Brian Baker
David Adams is an intriguing guy for the Indians. He struggled in 43 games with Yankees last year, but his minor league numbers show this guy is a very good hitter that had a lot of bad luck with injuries. If he’s healthy, he could end up playing everyday for Cleveland. He can play 2B or 3B. His numbers in the minors come out to 3 full seasons (even though he played 6). Career OPS over .800 with a ton of doubles. Kind of reminds me of Martin Prado.
Joe Orsatti
Peguero is a great signing. Give him some ABs and just watch.
Shankbone
He has a loyal following among Giants prospect hounds. His knee injury and the surgeries involved took a toll on his speed/defense/basepaths. Mainly his power just hasn’t filled in at all. Still, at ST last year, he could really hit. I can understand him wanting to get more chances with another club.
andrewk
I may be wrong but I was under the impression that one of the reasons that Cooper & Adams were signed to MLB rather than MILB deals for the Tribe was because they each have an option remaining and can be used as back-ups in AAA in 2014 (assuming they don’t make the 25-man). And of course, if they do then force their way onto the 25-man some time in 2014 then the Tribe has many years of contract control ahead.
Conversely, if they had been signed to MILB deals then they would likely have been able to secure their release immediately if/when they fail to make the 25-man after spring training, and the Tribe would have lost them as AAA depth.
martinfv2
You’re right, some of these guys do have options remaining. But there was no particular reason to do an MLB deal with them if the market didn’t warrant it.
Shankbone
With the Giants, it was my impression they designated Peguero for assignment in part to make room for 27 year old Erik Cordier – your story on it – mlbtraderumors.com/2013/11/giants-designate-johnny…
The Giants apparently had to offer him a major league deal to win the bid against other teams offering minor league deals.
As Cordier has no mlb experience, he might not fit in this story but it seems to me he fits pretty well with this profile you’ve outlined. In effect the Giants cut extra hitters to pick up another bullpen arm.
martinfv2
Cordier definitely fits in this story. I appreciate the note; I’m going to update the post to mention him.
Shankbone
I appreciate all your great work!
John Donovan
I appreciate that a lot of effort went into this story and it definitely is something to think about, but I really do think this is much ado about nothing, or more precisely much ado about very little. To think that any of these eight players is going to be the next Jose Quintana is stretching to say the least. There is a bit of information that was left out in order to make that statement and that the OTHER minor league free agents signed in 2011 as well as the entire class signed in 2012 and 2013. That info is needed, so the reader can determine the actual probability of success for this type of transaction.
In my mind this is very similar to the Rule V Draft where every now and then a Johan Santana will emerge, but for the most part few impact players change hands. No one remembers the majority of players that don’t work out, but they do remember the Josh Hamiltons and Joakim Sorias that are successful.
dickwhitman
You are right about the similarity to the Rule V draft. And you are also right about the amount of work that went into this report. We should all be tipping our collective cap to Tim Dierkes for shining a light on a roster management trend that would have gone completely unreported otherwise.
Shankbone
Definitely there is an “unofficial rule 5” draft that goes on at certain crunch times during the year where teams juggle their 40-man, and those guys get claimed early and often. Particularly choke points like preparing for the Rule 5, the end of ST and when FAs are signed.
I agree with Don Draper up above, cap tip to Tim Dierkes for sure, helping flesh out stories like this.
KingofKauff
It seems those who received “Major League Deals” or 40 man roster spots were younger, in terms of service time, due to roster flexibility and the optioning process. Players who have more than 5 years of service have the right to refuse an option therefore teams would rather not offer a “major league deal” to someone competing for a spot.
InsaneThunderCrusade
Does this have anything to do with the fact that players from the Rule 4 draft are no longer allowed to sing Major League Deals and be placed on the 40 man roster?
Although I think it might be too soon for it to have had a big impact. I believe there has only been two drafts since the new CBA
dave andras
Dave
dave andras
Judge , and I haven’t touch anyone.