We’ll use this post to catch up on some recent minor moves and track any new ones that emerge …
- The Dodgers reportedly have a minors deal in place with veteran backstop Josh Thole. Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter), the arrangement includes a $600K potential MLB salary as well as an opt-out opportunity on July 1st. Thole has seen time in eight MLB seasons, slashing a cumulative .242/.313/.306 through 1,499 plate appearances, but hasn’t been asked up to the bigs since 2016. He plied his trade last year at Double-A with the Tigers organization.
- Meanwhile, righty David Hale is reportedly headed to the Yankees on his own minor-league accord. The 31-year-old bounced on and off of the New York roster last season (as well as that of the Twins) and will again represent a depth piece for the Yanks. Hale’s chief appeal is his ability to function in a swing capacity, giving innings from the bullpen or if needed taking a spot start. He spent most of 2018 at Triple-A, working to a 4.20 ERA in 55 2/3 innings through 11 starts while compiling 7.1 K/9 against 2.7 BB/9.
- The Nationals have reportedly lined up on an agreement with outfielder Tyler Goeddel, the terms of which remain unknown. He’ll be hoping for an eventual shot to return to the majors after struggling in a 92-game stint with the Phillies back in 2016. Goeddel, 26, hit just .219/.298/.329 last year in the upper minors with the Reds and Dodgers organizations.
- Finally, the Cubs have also reportedly added a player on a minors deal, with infielder Cristhian Adames slated to join the organization. Now 27 years of age, the switch-hitter saw time over four MLB seasons with the Rockies but failed to make it back up last year. In his 498 Triple-A plate appearances with the Marlins org, Adames, put up a .269/.324/.370 batting line. Adames is capable of playing all over the infield and has primarily appeared at shortstop as a professional.
Welcome back Double Agent David Hale!
We can not wait to push the DFA button for David Hale again only a matter of time
Thole was the primary catcher for knuckleballer, RA Dickey.
Dodgers doesn’t have any knuckleballer pitcher though, right?
Maybe in there farm system?
any knuckleballers down there for thole?
Didn’t David Hale also pitch in Asia last season? Either Korea or Japan I forget
He did play for the Hanwha Eagles last year as well. He did surprisingly well in terms of his strikeout rate 55 in 66 1/3 IP. http://www.statiz.co.kr/player.php?name=헤일&birth=1987-09-27
Andrew, always good to hear from you in Korea. I thought Hale had finally left the US for Korea, but it did not state that in the article. Thanks for chiming in with KBO news!
Cristhian sounds like Mike Tyson trying to name his kid Christian.
Been waiting for the Thole signing. Now the dominoes will fall
As good as Ellis was last year with the glove and especially the bat. I’m rather surprised no one has reached out with something
Christian Bergman also signed with the Cubs.
Luis Sardinas signed with the Nationals as well.
Sardines is a double a player
Shouldn’t have a mlb spot ever
There is no baseball player with the last name Sardines. Luis Sardiñas signed a minor league deal with the Nationals, it isn’t even a big league deal.
No kidding
You gotta pay the Troll Toll
If You Wanna Get Into That Boy’s soul
You gotta pay the Troll Toll
To get in!
You want the baby boy’s soul
You gotta pay the Troll Toll
You gotta pay the Troll Toll
To get in!
Troll Toll!
Hahahaha. Good reference. Maybe better with gotta pay the “Thole Toll”
Glad someone got it!
Hmm cubs stock piling infielders maybe zobrist is on the trade block
Hale is a solid depth piece. Better than Sonny Gray for depth!
Depth piece alright piece of what? Of course I understand depth but they didn’t have to fish at the bottom feeders in the pond to haul in that prize. DFA before seasons end, mark it down you heard it here first
Thole will be assigned exclusively to Baez.
Baez throws everything
Well there goes the “finding a right handed bat” theory. Next move is trading Joc to the Braves for a bucket of ballz cuz that’d save them $5 million…for a +$3 billion team. Riddle me that