Baseball America’s Matt Eddy has released a long list of minor transactions from over the holidays. Here are a few of the bigger moves from that list not already noted elsewhere on MLBTR (we’ll also keep track of additional minor moves from Saturday as they happen):
- The Brewers have signed first baseman Cody Decker to a minor league deal, tweets Tommy Stokke of FanRag. The pact doesn’t include an invitation to big league camp, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com (Twitter link). Decker announced (via Twitter) that he’ll move to catcher, where he has seen action in 23 games during parts of eight minor league seasons. The 29-year-old has slashed an impressive .255/.333/.501 in 1,498 Triple-A plate appearances, though he has only logged eight PAs in the majors (with San Diego in 2015).
- The Cubs have signed catcher Carlos Corporan and re-signed infielder Munenori Kawasaki to minor league contracts. Corporan spent several years as a backup in Houston and last appeared in the Majors in 2015 with Texas; he hit .197/.246/.333 at two Triple-A stops in 2016. The 35-year-old Kawasaki played briefly for the Cubs last season and spent most of the year playing shortstop with Triple-A Iowa, where he batted .255/.352/.312. The popular former Blue Jays infielder has now appeared in parts of five seasons in the big leagues, as well as 11 in Japan.
- The Red Sox have signed outfielder Brian Bogusevic to a minor league deal. The 32-year-old had a tough season with Orix in Japan in 2016, batting just .187/.320/.322 over 193 plate appearances. He last appeared in the big leagues with the Phillies in 2015.
- The White Sox have released hard-throwing righty Jorge Rondon so that he can sign with Chunichi in Japan. They had previously signed him to a minor league deal after he posted a 2.67 ERA, 5.8 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 pitching in the bullpen of the Pirates’ Triple-A Indianapolis bullpen in 2016.
- The Angels have re-signed lefty reliever Cody Ege to a minor league deal. They had previously non-tendered him even though he had far less than three years of service time and was very effective in 8 2/3 innings for them last season, although he struggled in three innings with the Marlins and posted a modest 4.50 ERA, 7.2 K/9 and 5.5 BB/9 in 44 innings at Triple-A.
- The Phillies have signed righty reliever Pedro Beato to a minor league deal. The 30-year-old Beato was very effective for Triple-A Norfolk in 2016, with a 2.65 ERA, 8.2 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in 68 innings (although he allowed nine unearned runs). He’s pitched in the big leagues for three teams, but hasn’t appeared in the Majors since 2014 and hasn’t logged significant time since he was a Met in 2011.
- The Nationals have signed reliever lefty Josh Outman to a minor league deal. The 32-year-old last pitched in the big leagues in 2014, when he appeared with the Indians and Yankees. He posted a 4.95 ERA, albeit with 6.8 K/9 and 1.4 BB/9, in 20 innings with Indianapolis in 2016 before being released.
- The Tigers have signed first baseman Efren Navarro to a minor league deal. The 30-year-old batted .275/.337/.368 at two Triple-A stops in 2016. He’s appeared in parts of four big-league seasons, all with Anaheim.
Munenori Kawasaki’s contract includes an invite to spring training. And will reportedly earn 900,000 USD in annual salary if he makes it to the Major league roster. (Via: link to sponichi.co.jp)
He will probably be Tommy La Stella’s replacement off the bench. After what he pulled last season, I can’t imagine him being back.
I can. I gave Tommy a good talking-to. He’s a fine young boy, and could start or platoon with other MLB teams. I understand 3AM’s frustration being sent down last year when he was hitting .280. Plus he missed most of 2015 with an oblique after starting the season penciled into the starting lineup.
If TLS isn’t on the roster, neither will Kawasaki. Theo and Co. have stated that the plan is to carry 13 pitchers, and 12 PPs. Miggy, Willson, Rizzo, Zo, Javy, Addy, KB, KS, JJ, AA, J-Hey, Scezur. All of those guys minus Scezur are virtual locks to make the roster out of spring training, whilst TLS and Scezur will battle for the 12th spot, or both make it and they carry 13. Only way Kawasaki is on the roster to start the season is injuries, as he’s the 14th man at best in the organization.
Omg I forgot about kyleschwarbersmom!! You’re like the best commenter ever lol
6 outfielders? (I counted Wilson and Kyle as .5)
With all the Tigers minor league signings, we are going to have one of the oldest AAA teams.
Efrin is just another player Avila has signed for the minors that has ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE of benefitting the major league team. Build some depth already!!!
Oh my god! Thank you Cubs for resigning the legendary Munenori Kawasaki. I think with more playing time he will be the MVP instead of Kris Bryant. He hit .333 in limited action. Unbelievable! I am calling it Kawasaki 2017 MVP!
You can’t be serious…
If you have seen him play, he is fun to watch. Extremely popular player.
hes trolling
Raykozel you obvi have not seen Muni play. That speed and those wheels. 40-40 potential. I think he might force the Cubs to trade Addison Russell when he takes over at Short
his defense draws rave reviews
Haha
You really need to get back on your MED’S!!!!!
I am getting really tired of Nationals Rizzo signing retread relievers rather than fixing the problem. Who the heck is Josh Outman? Come on Mike- get some real relievers!!!!
With a last name like outman, he has to be a good pitcher, right?
He’s actually really terrible. I had to watch him with the A’s and Rockies. He’s still terrible.
Outman had a series of arm injuries and hasn’t been any good since.
Kawasaki is an idiot. When he played in Toronto he made a fool out of himself with those stupid hand gestures and other antics. Extremely annoying. Also he is not a very good ball player. Marginally AAA at best. The smartest thing shapiro did was not to resign him. I’m glad the cubs have him.
World Champion Kawasaki. He makes baseball fun again. Saw him at Spring training this year, very fan friendly.
And you are a major leaguer? Kawasaki keeps the bench loose, fun guy to see and talk to. I’ll never forget the interview about him cramping lol hilarious.
Ha I’m a fan who he was friendly too. My 13 year old son and I go every year.
Muni is fun and a great guy off the bench. The guys that don’t like him are probably the SABR guys that have taken fun out of the game and made it a stats game only. They have forgotten at the core that it is a game and entertainment. I know it is big business but as a fan I want to be entertained and he did that. Loved his short time in Seattle.
Yes. It is impossible to enjoy baseball and want to understand it better.
You mean the old school people who don’t like fun, not analytics people right
Yes that is exactly what I said Mr SABR you nailed it.
Eye roll
Oh yeah. Shapiro will bring a championship to the city of Toronto as well as Canada with all his clever moves and risk-taking. Pearce and Morales will totally replace all the production that Encarnacion and Bautista gave the team last year at a fraction of the price.
In all seriousness though, I really like Kawasaki and enjoyed his time in Toronto. Scrappy fella with a fun demeanor. He was great with the media and had some nice plays. Was really sad to see Toronto lose him, but I’m glad he’s still signed with an MLB team.
It’s funny that you call out his antics, when they are the exact reason he’s still employed. He’s a great clubhouse guy which in the MLB will give you a nice long career. He won’t complain, he won’t be trouble, he does his job and has fun doing it, guys him around and enjoy him. When you are a 25th guy on the roster, or a shuttle guy, that is what the front office looks for. He’s not going to play much, so they want a guy around who plays his role, and doesn’t bring the clubhouse down. That is exactly why he makes Money still in the league and he gets it. I mean I could go ahead and give you the list of guys that are similar clubhouse guys, but the best one recently is David ross, that guys career was sub par and yet he will be remembered, it will also end up getting David ross numerous job offers from media and different front office positions. You sir just don’t understand that part of baseball, and it’s fine, most people who enjoy baseball are one sided, split between stats guys, and character/intangibles guys. There are very few who understand and go to the church of both. Theo and his crew Happen to be very devout to both
Beato now gives the Phillies 3 former 1st Rd picks to compete for bullpen spots,along with Burnett and C.Ramos.
Beato is a guy who seems like he should have been more successful in the majors than he has been. He could be a sleeper bullpen candidate
They need Travis wood. Deunseng won’t make the team out of spring training.