Catching up on some recent minor league moves from around the baseball world….
- The Cubs signed catcher Francisco Arcia to a minor league deal, as originally reported by the Cubs Prospects Twitter feed. Originally signed as a teenager by the Yankees in 2006, the 29-year-old Arcia finally cracked the big leagues last season, appearing 40 games for the Angels and hitting .204/.226/.427 with six homers over 106 plate appearances. Arcia will provide the Cubs with some depth behind backup Victor Caratini, and Arcia could also battle for the backup role himself in Spring Training.
- The Rays signed right-hander Luis Santos to a minors contract, Baseball America’s Matthew Eddy reports. Santos posted a 5.15 ERA over 36 2/3 innings out of the Blue Jays’ bullpen over the last two seasons, though a big problem with the long ball (2.0 HR/9) belied some better peripherals, such as a 9.8 K/9 and a 2.86 K/BB rate.
- Also from Eddy, the Rockies re-signed left-hander Sam Howard to a minors deal, after originally non-tendering Howard at the start of December. Howard was a third-round pick for the Rockies in 2014, and he made his Major League debut last season, tossing four innings over four games with Colorado. MLB.com ranks Howard as the 24th-best prospect in the Rockies’ farm system, describing him as a potential fourth starter in the big leagues “if he can improve his slider and command.”
- The Padres signed left-hander Eric Stout to a minor league contract, according to Zone Coverage’s Brandon Warne (Twitter link). Stout posted a 3.68 ERA, 2.63 K/BB rate, and 7.4 K/9 over 269 1/3 career innings in the Royals’ farm system, appearing as a reliever in all but five of his 153 career games. Stout also made his MLB debut in 2018, appearing in three games for Kansas City.
- Also from Warne, the Royals inked infielder Taylor Featherston to a minors contract. After playing in 137 games with the Angels, Phillies, and Rays from 2015-17, Featherston didn’t see any Major League action last season, spending time in the farm systems of the Twins and Reds, plus a short stint in independent ball. Featherston has offered more with the glove than his bat over his career, with a lot of experience at second base, third base, and shortstop, plus some time as a left field and first baseman.
- The Giants have signed righty Keyvius Sampson to a minors deal. Sampson makes his return to North American baseball after spending 2018 with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization, posting a 4.68 ERA over 161 2/3 IP for the Eagles and posting a league-best 195 strikeouts. Sampson has pitched for five different MLB organizations during his 10-year pro career, though he only reached the majors for 91 2/3 innings with the Reds in 2015-16.
- The Giants also signed second baseman Donovan Solano to a minors deal, as per the Giants Prospects Twitter feed. Solano was a regular for the Marlins in his first three MLB seasons, though he appeared more sporadically for the Marlins and Yankees in 2015-16 and hasn’t since returned to the Show, playing for the Yankees’ and Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliates over the last two seasons. Playing mostly as a second baseman but with some experience around the infield, Solano has a .257/.306/.331 slash line over 1168 MLB plate appearances.
…. I’m actually shocked at how terrible these minor league signings are from the Giants. I didn’t think it could get worse, but we are going for a guy with a 4.68 ERA in Korea (AA)
But, but, but, peripherals….
195 strikeouts in 162 innings is the more interesting stat here. He’s possible bullpen depth. ERAs are heavily inflated in the Korean league – every team basically plays in Coors field.
It’s like the PCL on steroids almost. He could be multi inning relief depth/spot starter. Remember how Derek Holland did last year?
I’m rooting for him. I’m a Reds fan and he seems like a genuinely good dude.
I won’t ever forget Arcia getting 10 RBI in his first two games. Only player to do it! Also he pitched haha!
Arcia waited along time to make his debut then cracked a key HR in his first game.
His smile that day was one of genuine joy.
I got a Realmuto trade. Send him to the Astros for C Garrett Stubbs, OF/2B Tony Kemp, 1B AJ Reed and CF Derek Fisher. Realmuto gets the Astros closer to the World Series while all those guys finally get some playing time. The real trade off is not giving up Kyle Tucker who basically untouchable. The Marlins would be taking quantity over quality by not getting Tucker or Yordan Alvarez but they still get a modest return for a star player.
who’s
I can’t see any HOU trade with the Marlins for JTR, without the Stros including at least one of Alvarez, Buk, or Beer..
Whitley, is not going anywhere, nor is Tucker, well at least not in my opinion..So yeah, if HOU also insists on keeping Alvarez, then they’d probably have to give up 2 of Bukauskas, Beer, Nova, and/or James..
Miami would probably want something along the lines of James or Bukauskas, along with Beer and Stubbs. Even still, I’d be prone to think Miami would hold out for an offer centered around Alvarez.
Teams are going to aim for the best available assets they can get their hands on, and as many of those same assets as they can get. No offense, but they don’t just want a team’s blocked/spare parts, especially when you’re trading away arguably the best Catcher in the world.
Yes, some of the guys you mentioned have value and are talented, but Houston has more attractive pieces that Miami would demand. Rarely will a team take quantity over quality, especially when they’re in a position to seek and likely receive better talent elsewhere.
The Marlins said they want a C with MLB experience as part of the package. That would be Stassi instead of Stubbs.
Kind of surprised Solano fizzled out so quickly. He was a solid if unspectacular player for the Marlins.
He had a really solid season in OKC last year. Played plus defense at 2nd, 3rd, and SS, and hit well. He was just completely blocked in LA. As much as I hate to say it, I think it was a good signing for the giants, especially if they start selling off other pieces like Panik…
Guys that you dont have to pay alot while still providing a major league product hold a lot of value to rebuilding teams like the giants.
Yeah, he was a pretty good utility guy that rookie year, then his walks cratered and he wasn’t quite so valuable because he had no power at all. But that first season, I remember he was a backup infielder on my strat team, and had a pretty good card, for what that’s worth!
That Arcia move happened weeks ago and I made a couple comments asking why you hadnt reported it. I guess this post fixes that, but strange why it took MLBTR, usually on top of EVERY move, so long to post.
JT is going to the Yankees. Derek Cheater only deals his star players to his old team. Besides…..does Cashman actually think Sanchez will work his defensive woes out? I wonder if Jesus Montero is available??
Stupid comment, especially now that Christian Yelich has won the 2018 National League MVP. For the BREWERS.
Your trolling game is weak..
You guys are missing alot of signing: baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-transacti…
A guy named Featherstone should provide a good glove. I can’t prove it but by gum it is ingrained.
I’m beginning to think that the Descalso signing may end up being this off season’s most significant addition for the Cubs.
Picking up Hamels option was the biggest.