The latest minor moves from around baseball:
- Veteran right-hander Steve Johnson, 31, announced his retirement Friday on Instagram (hat tip to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com), ending a pro career that began when the Dodgers used a 13th-round pick on him in 2005. Johnson never got past the Double-A level with the Dodgers, though the Baltimore native eventually reached the majors with his hometown Orioles. The O’s selected Johnson in the 2009 Rule 5 Draft, and he went on to amass 59 1/3 innings with the club from 2012-15. Johnson added another 16 2/3 frames with the Mariners in 2016, the last time he appeared in the bigs. In total, Johnson tossed 76 innings of 4.26 ERA ball with 10.2 K/9 and 5.6 BB/9 at the game’s highest level. He wrapped up his career last season with Lancaster of the independent Atlantic League.
- The Cubs have signed left-hander Mike Zagurski to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league camp, Jerry Crasnick reports. The 35-year-old spent last season with the division-rival Brewers, though he only threw one big league inning – a disastrous frame in which he yielded seven earned runs. But Zagurski did thrive as a member of the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate in hitter-friendly Colorado Springs, with which he posted a 3.20 ERA, 13.2 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 in 45 innings. Zagurski has held his own in Triple-A with a few organizations, evidenced by his 2.84 ERA, 12.3 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 over 294 1/3 frames. However, Zagurski has had a horrid time across 76 1/3 MLB innings with the Brewers, Philles, Diamondbacks, Yankees and Pirates, having logged a 7.78 ERA with 9.08 K/9 and 5.66 BB/9.
Minor mlb transactions? Naw lets have some major MiLB transactions (:
Announce Machado already
Thinking the only reason why Manny has not announced (Harper too, for that matter) is because no team offered near what was wanted going into this offseason.
It doesn’t seem like there are nearly as many AAAA pitchers as there are AAAA hitters, but Zagurski is one of them. I’d add Preston Guilmet to that list too.
Cheers to Steve Johnson (whose dad was a part of the beloved “Why Not?” Orioles of 1989). I enjoyed following him and rooting for him during his brief time with the O’s. Always loved how he worked to get the most of his talent.
The Cubs also signed former MLB players Phillip Evans and Jim Adduci to minor league contracts but nobody says anything about them. Oh boy the Cubs haven’t won it in two years, one month and already nobody cares about them.
Uhhhh are you ok? Lmao like give it up, you say this on almost every post.
Nobody cared about them before either.
You’re right, they are only in the top 3 of most popular teams in all of baseball. Nobody cared
THE Jim Adduci? Where did I put that season ticket application. That changes EVERYTHING.
If there was a post for every single minor league signing then there would also be people that complain and comment that no one cares. It can’t be both ways.
I also don’t like that people think these writers have some sort of bias against any of the teams. They have a lot to cover; sometimes things slip through the cracks.
Good for Zagurski he got a contact. I wonder if he has any incentives for his weight lol He is the next Colon but younger lol. Before people rip on me about giving the business on his weight I’m happy for the guy he is doing what he loves. I’m sure he is someone like Colon, Sabathia where they pitch better with the weight on
Yes. Had to feel sorry for the guy last year. I think they took him right from the mound to the airport that day.
But you have to wonder what’s up with the Cubs? Are they trying to appear so pathetic that their fans will start a go fund me account for them to buy a player or two?
I love the rule 5 draft. It gives guys the opportunity to play in the major leagues who might otherwise never make it.
I get irrationally excited for the Rule 5 Draft every year
Same. I love tracking all of them
Good teams never due Rule 5 small markets like Baltimore must do it to et lucky with one out of10
I do like the rule 5 draft think there are a lot of good players there just wish teams would work harder in keeping the players even if they dont stay on the major league roster.
I think the orioles got Steve Johnson as part of a trade. They then briefly lost him to the rule v draft only to have him returned. I remember him having a really strong run for the 2012 O’s that helped them make the wild card game.
Your memory is quite good. Steve Johnson was acquired along with Josh Bell for George Sherrill.
definitely a true baseball fan !! those are the ones I like talking baseball with