Here are some minor moves to pass on …
- The Mariners announced three minor league signings that come with MLB Spring Training invites. Outfielder Cole Gillespie, along with righties Matt Palmer and Ramon Ramirez, will try to impress the Seattle brass in Peoria, AZ. All three players have seen MLB action, though only Ramirez (3.42 ERA in 433 2/3 innings as a reliever) has a history as a big league regular.
- Angels minor league backstop Carlos Ramirez has received a 100 game ban for his third positive test for a "drug of abuse," MLB announced. The 25-year-old has yet to see time above Double-A, and has largely failed to hit in three stints at that level.
- Two former big leaguers experienced status changes in December with regard to their current careers in Japan. Southpaw Travis Blackley reached terms on a one-year deal with the Rakuten Golden Eagles after spending most of last year in the Astros pen, while outfielder Nyjer Morgan has become a free agent after a productive first season with the Yokohama Bay Stars. (All information courtesy of Nikkan Sports, via Yakyu Baka.)
- You can keep track of any players currently in DFA limbo via MLBTR's DFA Tracker. Three players currently await a final disposition: Santos Rodriguez (White Sox), Rafael Ortega (Rangers), and Adys Portillo (Padres).
Angels should cut the fat and release Ramirez.
Weirdly, the Bay Stars still hold the rights to Tony Plush.
There are very few player I wish poor performances on but unless Nyjer Morgan learned some humility in Japan I hope he never gets another MLB AB! He was an absolute embarrassment to major league baseball in the 2011 postseason.
Hey but that rally monkey is keeping up with the proud tradition of MLB, so that’s ok right?
The rally monkey doesn’t scream obscenities on national TV after the game….
And yet the rally monkey is part of what got the Angels top voting in best fan experience at ESPN.
Wish the best of luck to Blackley. He had quite some shining moments with Oakland in 2012. Especially remember his game against the Texas Rangers near the end of the season.
Mariners matt Palmer signing is actually ok, he was good with the angels as a long relief pitcher/starter just as long as he didn’t excel 5 innings.
Ramon Ramirez has a pretty good and relatively recent track record of being a solid bullpen piece, and is certainly worth a look.