We'll keep track of today's minor moves here…
- Right-hander Scott Atchison signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox after being removed from the 40-man roster and clearing waivers, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America.
- The Cubs signed left-hander Nate Robertson to a minor league deal, Eddy writes. Robertson had a 7.14 ERA with 5.3 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 in 18 starts with the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate last season.
- The Rockies signed left-handed pitcher Royce Ring, according to Eddy. The former first-round pick saw time in the majors for four different clubs between 2005-2010. Ring spent time with the Triple-A affiliates for Seattle and Boston last season.
- The Nationals signed right-hander Mike Schultz, who has one big league inning to his credit from his time with Arizona in 2007. The 32-year-old has been pitching well in Japan for the last four years, posting a 2.55 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9.
- MLBTR has learned that the Orioles signed catcher Josh Johnson. The 29-year-old played the last three years in the Atlantic League but prior to that spent time with the Rays and Astros Triple-A affiliates.
- The Red Sox signed right-handed pitchers Garrett Mock and Billy Buckner to minor league deals and will report to minor league camp, an industry source tells Alex Speier of WEEI.com. Mock, 28, was once considered a top pitching prospect by Washington but strugged in 2011 as he posted a 6.39 ERA with 9.3 K/9 and 5.3 BB/9. Buckner, meanwhile, made 21 starts and two relief appearances for the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate in 2011.
- The Dodgers signed right-hander Blake Johnson and shortstop Brandon Mims to minor league deals following this week's open tryout, Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times tweets. Johnson spent the 2011 season in the upper minors with the Royals and Rockies, posting a 5.59 ERA in 77 1/3 innings. Mims, 19, was the Blue Jays' ninth round selection in 2010.
- The Orioles signed 27-year-old Mexican pitcher Miguel Gonzalez to a minor league deal, the pitcher told Fernando Ballesteros at Puro Béisbol (link in Spanish). Gonzalez posted decent strikeout rates across three levels in the Red Sox system last year after two years away from the minors. He told Ballesteros he will start off at Triple-A for the Orioles.
Oh god for a minute I thought it said Mike Gonzalez….thank Tebow
What’s the story with Mims? He had a grand total of 2 ABs in 2010 in the rookie leagues then nothing.
Just what the Red Sox needed… another Bill Buckner.
Actually a lot of us wanted the original Buckner back as some kind of coach. Despite history being rewritten, almost none of the fans who were rooting for the Sox before they won the Series blame Buckner.
Billy Bucks was High stylin’ in those cute high top shoes he wore for a little while in?? Was in ’86? For those horrible ankles of his..
Have to wonder how many players there really are who went from as blazing fast as Billy Bucks was as a kid.. not to mention pre surgeries.. To couldn’t even walk without waddling and limping along at the end..
He deserved kudos for putting on a glove and attempting to play a defensive position at all.. Donnie Baylor got the DH job that season (86) and didn’t have any real injury history.. just moved like a sloth period..
Like you said.. Most LT fans know the history of Billy Bucks.. The tragedies that led up to what was considered “his” fault and that he should never have been in that position from the start.
The wild pitch was the real issue
Calvin Schiraldi was the real issue
And Nipper… it was a team effort..
I couldn’t believe they brought in Nipper, who was awful anyway when Sammy Stewart was available..
Johnny “Mac” was another in a line of awful managers boston had.. In the Don Zimmer mold of uselessness.
buckner was at the cubs convention this year signing autographs. the guy was a total jerk to everybody that came through his line. even the little kids. i can understand him being bitter towards red sox fans, but not cubs fans. even though he is the hitting coach for the single A boise hawks, i really hope he isn’t invited back.
Kind of a sidenote to this and irrelevant to Billy Bucks..
I went to one of these sessions (paid signings) in the .. Late 80’s to a HOF’er and the guy was totally toasted.. he smelled of booze and acted like it even.. He was charging 25.00 a pop also for a signature on pictures, 50.00 on a bat even.. Fans in line were complaining and yes.. This not named player was a real jerk…
I was with my son, who at the time was a teenager was not happy and was one reason we went.
This was a very, very popular player in his day..
I leave it to guess who it was, but am not going to name him…
Kind of a sidenote to this and irrelevant to Billy Bucks..
I went to one of these sessions (paid signings) in the .. Late 80’s to a HOF’er and the guy was totally toasted.. he smelled of booze and acted like it even.. He was charging 25.00 a pop also for a signature on pictures, 50.00 on a bat even.. Fans in line were complaining and yes.. This not named player was a real jerk…
I was with my son, who at the time was a teenager was not happy and was one reason we went.
This was a very, very popular player in his day..
I leave it to guess who it was, but am not going to name him…
Awful lot of double Josh Johnson, Bill Buckner, Chris Carpenter, and Mike Stanton news lately.
The Red Sox just set themselves up for numerous snarky comments
You mean like “hit back to the pitcher, and it goes through Buckner’s legs”? If that happens, I’ll totally lose it.
Why does Nate Robertson even try anymore? Also, I read Nate Robinson first, and tried to imagine him pitching. Not seeing it.
He might be better at it
You must not know Nate Robertson very well then
As in the 7+ ERA guy in AAA with no stuff? I would take Pat White over him…
As in the 7+ ERA guy in AAA with no stuff? I would take Pat White over him…
LHP, that is all
“MLBTR has learned that the Orioles released catcher Josh Johnson. At the time of signing, Orioles believed Josh was ex-Marlins pitcher. Dan Duquette was not available for comments.”
“MLBTR has learned that the Orioles released catcher Josh Johnson. At the time of signing, Orioles believed Josh was ex-Marlins pitcher. Dan Duquette was not available for comments.”
We will know Boston made a terrible choice at best for a #5 SP with all the retreads they brought in when by June Atch is recalled and has made 3-4 starts.
Not that would mind seeing him as another long guy, paired up with Aceves, but certainly not going 4IP at best and making starts again.
I know it was only 1 inning but Nate Robertson’s 54.00 ERA for the Phillies in 2010 is kinda legendary.
Chad Fox had a 135 ERA in the previous year.
Amazing how quickly some pitchers collapse.
Amazing how quickly some pitchers collapse.