Here are today’s minor transactions throughout the game:
- The Tigers have announced that they’ve signed infielder Danny Muno and corner outfielder Matt Murton to minor-league contracts. The 28-year-old Muno appeared in the high minors with three organizations in 2016, posting a line of .223/.328/.307 while mostly playing second and third. He does, however, have a career .385 minor-league OBP and a bit of big-league experience, having collected 32 plate appearances with the 2015 Mets. Murton’s name will surely be a blast from the past for some readers — the 35-year-old was once a regular with the Cubs but hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since 2009. He played with the Hanshin Tigers in Japan from 2009 through 2015 (so he has plenty of experience in a Tigers uniform, just not a Detroit Tigers uniform), and he batted .314/.349/.398 in 255 plate appearances with the Cubs’ Triple-A team in Iowa last year.
Is the MLB really hurting that bad.
WHY would we do this?? Or is it just the Tigers approach?? Go to Utica independent
People make this same type of comment every time a story like this appears. My suggestion? Stop, take a deep breath, read the transaction, realize it’s a minor league signing and move on. There’s no need to stress about such things, ask why the Tigers (or any other team) would do this or give it that much consideration. These players are minor league filler at best and will get a huge bulk of their playing time on the back fields in Lakeland and be used as replacements during the WBC, where the Tigers will be without 15 players from their organization. One maybe two minor league signees at most will see Comerica Park this or any other future season.
Most overreact by not realizing these aren’t major league contracts. Keep in mind, the three new players on the 25 man roster in 2017 are Avila, Mahtook and Stumpf (the rule 5 lefty pitcher from KC).
Thank you. No matter what the team, you always hear comments like that. They have to have enough players to field minor league teams, and probably they’re not all prospects.
It doesn’t appear that either player was even invited to the major league spring training. While it would be cool to see Murton back in the majors after so long, these guys were signed for one purpose: minor league depth.
Matt Murton raked in Japan. May he now terrorize Toledo.
I feel the Tigers would be displeased if he terrorizes Toledo rather than their opponents.
Yes, I know they have to fill the minor league rosters. All teams do. BUT, until the Tigers actually sign someone, anyone, with the potential to actually help the major league team, I will continue to point it out. I read the articles of other teams signing Jon Neise like players and salivate. Detroit hasn’t done that. There are usually one or two they acquired over the winter that have potential (JD Martinez, Blaine Hardy, Al Alburqurque). Not all make it. (Wynton Bernard). Some make it with other teams (Jamie Moyer). If you want me to “shut up” about it, all you have to do is look at their signings this winter, and tell me who has the potential to be a positive for the Major League team. First, you’ll have to convince yourself. This seems to be Avila’s weakness, building depth. Last years bench stunk and this years doesn’t look much different.