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International Notes: Huff, Kim

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While it’s been slow on the free-agent front in the North America, plenty of recognizable names have been landing deals overseas in Japan and Korea. A couple of notes on the international market as the holiday season is in full swing…

  • Lefty David Huff has agreed to a one-year, $1.3MM deal with the Yakult Swallows in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, according to the Japan Times. The 33-year-old last suited up in the Majors for the 2016 Angels but spent parts of eight seasons in the bigs, posting a 5.17 ERA with 5.4 K/9, 3.0 BB/9 and a 38.8 percent ground-ball rate in 393 1/3 innings, spending time as both a starter and a reliever. Since his last big league appearance, Huff has been thriving with the LG Twins of the Korea Baseball Organization, pitching to a 2.66 ERA with 6.5 K/9 against 1.0 BB/9 in 199 1/3 innings in an extremely hitter-friendly setting.
  • Though Hyun Soo Kim recently signed a four-year contract to return to the KBO (worth a total of $10.7MM), the 29-year-old said at his introductory press conference with the LG Twins that he’s not totally closed off to taking another shot at the Majors if the opportunity presents itself (link via Jee-ho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency). Kim also spoke highly of his time in the Majors and the amount that he learned playing in parts of two seasons with the Orioles and Phillies. “[T]he biggest lesson is that I realized the importance of routines,” said Kim. “I thought I had built a solid routine myself, but it was nothing compared to what the big leaguers were doing. I thought players who stuck to their routines were always able to get out of their slumps quickly.” Yoo also “marveled” at the manner in which big league players took care of their bodies, Yoo writes, and offered a candid assessment of his time in the Majors. While he attributes many of his struggles to a lack of regular playing time, he takes responsibility for his lack of at-bats. “I didn’t play well when I did have my opportunity,” said Kim. “So it’s on me.”

International Signings: Huff, Schlitter, Mendez

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A few notes on some former big leaguers that have agreed to new deals overseas…

  • Left-hander David Huff is returning to the LG Twins of the Korea Baseball Organization after enjoying a strong half-season there in 2016, the team announced. Huff, who has pitched in the Majors for the Indians, Giants, Yankees, Dodgers and Angels, will receive a $1.4MM guarantee with another $300K worth of incentives. The 32-year-old made 13 starts in Korea last year, logging a 3.13 ERA with a 46-to-9 K/BB ratio in 77 2/3 innings in his run with LG.
  • Former Cubs righty Brian Schlitter has signed a deal with Japan’s Seibu Lions, the team announced earlier this month. He’ll take home about $700K in his first foray into Asia, per a report out of Japan. The 30-year-old spent parts of three seasons with the Cubs from 2012-15 but struggled to a 5.40 ERA In 71 2/3 innings in the Majors. He spent the 2016 season with the Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate, logging a 3.64 ERA with 9.2 K/9 against 4.5 BB/9 in 42 innings in an extremely hitter-friendly setting.
  • Former Rangers righty Roman Mendez has also signed on in Japan, where he’ll join the Hanshin Tigers, per Nikkan Sports. The 26-year-old hasn’t appeared in the Majors since 2015 but has a 3.09 ERA in 46 2/3 big league innings. He spent 2016 pitching with Boston’s Triple-A affiliate and recorded a 3.38 ERA with 8.3 K/9 against 3.8 BB/9 in 64 innings of work.

David Huff Signs With KBO’s LG Twins

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Left-hander David Huff has signed a contract with the LG Twins of the Korea Baseball Organization, the team announced (Korean link to Naver Sports; hat tip to Dan Kurtz of MyKBO.net). Huff’s base salary with his new club is $550K, per the announcement.

The 31-year-old Huff made a pair of appearances with the Angels this season but was tagged for seven earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. That marks the second abbreviated season of Major League work for Huff, who last saw significant time in the bigs with the Yankees and Giants in 2014 (combined 59 innings). The Indians selected Huff out of UCLA with the 39th overall pick in the 2006 draft, and while he debuted with Cleveland as a 24-year-old in 2009, Huff never fully established himself as a regular contributor in the Majors. He’s had some solid stretches, to be sure, but the overall result of his time in the Majors is a 5.17 ERA with 5.4 K/9 against 3.0 BB/9 in 393 1/3 innings. He’s logged a considerably better 4.06 ERA in 640 1/3 innings of Triple-A ball, however, and averaged more strikeouts (7.0) and fewer walks (2.2) on a per-nine-inning basis at that level.

Huff has been under contract with the Angels and made an appearance for the club’s Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake City as recently as Sunday, so the Halos are presumably receiving some type of financial compensation for selling his contractual rights to the KBO’s Twins.

Minor MLB Transactions: 6/16/16

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Some minor moves from around the game…

  • Righty Brandon Gomes has been released by the Cubs, as Baseball America’s Matt Eddy recently reported. The 31-year-old had thrown 167 relief innings over the last five years with the Rays, working to a 4.20 ERA with 7.8 K/9 against 3.3 BB/9. He had struggled with command this year at Triple-A in the Chicago organization, however. In his 22 2/3 frames, Gomes allowed ten earned runs on 14 hits and 14 walks while striking out twenty.
  • The Orioles have re-signed lefty Andy Oliver, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports on Twitter. Oliver, 28, had recently opted out of his minor league pact with Baltimore, but evidently did not find a better opportunity elsewhere. He owns a nice 2.08 ERA over 34 2/3 Triple-A frames on the year, with 8.8 K/9 against 2.6 BB/9.
  • Veteran catcher Gerald Laird has signed a contract with the Mexican League’s Tijuana Toros, MLBTR has learned. The 36-year-old Laird signed the with D-backs prior to the 2015 season but appeared in just one game before a back injury sidelined him into late August, at which point he was designated for assignment and released. Laird enjoyed a productive season with the Braves back in 2013, when he batted .281/.367/.372 in 141 plate appearances. In parts of 13 Major League seasons, Laird is a career .243/.305/.353 hitter. He’s spent time with the Rangers, Tigers and Cardinals in addition to Arizona and Atlanta.
  • The Angels announced that lefty David Huff has cleared waivers and been sent outright to Triple-A Salt Lake. The 31-year-old made a pair of spot starts for the Halos this season but struggled in each and ultimately yielded seven earned runs on 13 hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings. He’ll have the right to reject the outright assignment in favor of free agency, though he could very well accept due to the fact that the injury-riddled state of the Angels’ pitching staff could afford him another crack at the Majors later this summer.
  • Former Major League right-hander Robert Coello has been waived by the Nexen Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization, as Jeeho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency writes. In his place, the Heroes will sign right-hander Scott McGregor, who had been pitching for the Somerset Patriots of the independent Atlantic League (Mike Ashmore of MyCentralJersey.com reported the McGregor news earlier this week). The 31-year-old Coello hasn’t appeared in the Majors since 2013, when he posted a 3.71 ERA in 17 innings for the Angels. He had a 3.77 ERA in 62 innings out of the Heroes’ rotation this season, but Yoo notes that control problems (42 walks in those 62 innings) led him to be waived. McGregor, a longtime Cardinals farmhand, has a career 4.78 ERA at the Triple-A level and was throwing well for Somerset this season, having posted a 3.36 ERA with a 31-to-6 K/BB ratio in 59 innings.

Angels Designate David Huff, Select Al Alburquerque

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The Angels made a series of roster moves involving their oft-rotated pitching staff. As MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez first suggested (Twitter links), the team will designate lefty David Huff for assignment and place righty Cory Rasmus on the 15-day DL, clearing active roster spots for right-handers A.J. Achter and Al Alburquerque.

Huff, 31, surrendered ten earned runs in just 5 1/3 frames over two starts, allowing 13 hits and four home runs along the way. He had been tasked with stepping into the rotation while the club awaits Tim Lincecum, who is expected to be ready for major league action this weekend.

Achter has provided 11 1/3 innings of 4.76 ERA pitching on the year to the Halos’ pen, but this’ll be the first shot for the veteran Albuquerque. He has thrown 21 2/3 frames at Triple-A on the season, working to a 2.49 ERA with 10.4 K/9 with 4.2 BB/9.

Angels Designate Javy Guerra For Assignment; Place Joe Smith On DL

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The Angels have designated righty Javy Guerra for assignment, as MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez tweets. It’s the second trip through DFA limbo for Guerra this year; previously, he cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment. Guerra’s roster spot will go to lefty David Huff, who is starting tonight. Also coming up for the Halos is righty Mike Morin, who takes over with set-up man Joe Smith hitting the 15-day DL with a hamstring strain. Smith tried to pitch through the pain in his hamstring for three weeks, the L.A. Times’ Pedro Moura tweets, but he’s ultimately succumbed to a stint on the disabled list. His hope will to be ready for activation in the minimum allotment of 12 days (his stint is retroactive to Saturday).

Guerra, 30, has appeared in seven games for the Halos this season, totaling 6 1/3 innings and surrendering four runs on five hits and seven walks (one intentional) in that time. His last effective stint at the big league level came in 2014, when he pitched to a 2.91 ERA in 46 1/3 innings for the White Sox, and it’s also worth noting that he was a solid bullpen piece for the Dodgers back in 2011-12, even serving as the team’s closer for much of 2011. In 156 2/3 innings at the Major League level, Guerra has a 2.99 ERA, though his strikeout rate (7.4 K/9) is below average for a reliever, and he’s often battled through sub-par control as well (career 4.3 BB/9).

Guerra has already cleared waivers once this season, so one would think there’s a good chance that he can do so again. However, he’ll again have the option to reject an outright assignment in favor of free agency, which could come into play if Guerra believes there’s another club that presents him a better opportunity to return to the Majors.

Minor MLB Transactions: 6/7/2016

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We’ll keep tabs on the day’s minor moves here:

  • White Sox righty Phillippe Aumont has retired, according to an announcement from the club’s Triple-A affiliate. The 27-year-old, once a heralded prospect with the Phillies and Mariners — and a significant piece of the 2009 Cliff Lee trade — had surrendered 15 earned runs in 11 innings on the year, with 14 strikeouts but also 11 walks on his ledger. Aumont last appeared in the majors nearly one year ago, but it doesn’t appear as if he’ll continue trying to make his way back. Over 43 2/3 major league frames, he compiled a 6.80 ERA with 8.7 K/9 against 7.0 BB/9.
  • The Angels will select the contract of lefty David Huff to start tonight’s game, as Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports. As MLBTR reported, Huff signed on with the Halos in mid-May after opting out of his contract with the Royals. After carrying a sterling 29:2 K/BB ratio while working from the pen with the Royals’ organization, the 31-year-old has allowed 7 earned runs over 11 2/3 innings from the Triple-A Salt Lake rotation. He has continued to show an elevated strikeout rate as against his prior track record, however. It remains to be seen whether Huff can earn a longer shot at the major league level, whether from the rotation or as a multi-inning-capable reliever.

Angels Sign David Huff, Outright Javy Guerra

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The Angels have signed southpaw David Huff to a minor league deal, MLBTR has learned. In other pitching news, the club outrighted righty Javy Guerra after he cleared waivers, Halos media relations rep Adam Chodzko announced via Twitter.

Huff, 31, is expected to work as a starter at Triple-A. He’ll present Los Angeles with a swingman option moving forward as the team continues to build out its pitching depth amidst significant uncertainty in its staff.

After signing on with the Royals before the season, Huff opened with a strong showing at Triple-A Omaha and ultimately opted out of his deal with Kansas City. Over 23 2/3 innings of relief in a dozen outings, Huff racked up 29 strikeouts against just two walks, though he did surrender 29 hits while recording a 4.18 ERA. He has appeared in each of the last seven major league seasons, working to a 5.08 ERA with 5.4 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 388 frames.

Guerra is a one-inning reliever who’ll also continue to provide the organization with an arm on call. He has seen limited MLB action in each of the last two seasons after previously playing important roles with the Dodgers and White Sox. Prior to his brief call-up this year, he carried a 2.19 ERA in 12 1/3 Triple-A innings, with his 10.2 K/9 accompanied by a less-than-promising 7.3 BB/9.

Minor MLB Transactions: 5/15/16

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Here are today’s minor moves from around baseball…

  • Cubs outfielder Ryan Kalish has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A, MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat reports (Twitter link).  Kalish was designated for assignment yesterday.  The 28-year-old appeared in seven games for Chicago this season, upping his career total to 153 games with the Cubs and Red Sox since 2010.
  • The Pirates will promote infield prospect Alen Hanson to the majors on Monday, according to his agency, LA Sports Management (Twitter link). Hansen, who has appeared on various top-100 prospect lists in recent years, owns a .284/.342/.442 batting line in 2821 career minor league plate appearances.  In 126 PAs with Triple-A Indianapolis this season, the 23-year-old has slashed .288/.309/.398 with two home runs and seven steals. He swiped 35 bags with Indy in 2015.  Hanson’s first taste of the majors is unlikely to last long, as his call-up will come thanks to outfielder Starling Marte’s forthcoming placement on the paternity list.
  • Left-hander David Huff has exercised the May 15 opt-out clause in the minor league contract he signed with the Royals during the offseason and is now a free agent, MLBTR has learned.  Huff threw 23 2/3 innings for the Royals’ Triple-A affiliate and posted phenomenal nine-inning strikeout and walk rates of 11.03 and 0.76, respectively, along with a 4.18 ERA.  The 31-year-old has put up a 5.08 ERA, 5.4 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 as a starter and reliever in parts of seven major league seasons.
  • Left-hander Brian Duensing has asked to be released from his own minor league deal with the Royals, MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan reports (Twitter link).  Duensing’s contract also contained a May 15 opt-out date.  This is the second time that Duensing has opted out of a minor league deal with the Royals in the last two months, as the two sides came to terms on a new contract after Duensing opted out of his previous deal near the end of Spring Training.  The 33-year-old has a 3.10 ERA, 3.80 K/BB rate and 8.4 K/9 over 20 1/3 relief innings for Kansas City’s Triple-A affiliate this season.
  • The Yankees selected the contracts of right-handers Chad Green and Conor Mullee prior to Saturday’s game.  In corresponding moves, Greg Bird, Mason Williams and Bryan Mitchell were all moved from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL and top catching prospect Gary Sanchez was optioned back to Triple-A after appearing in just one game for New York.  Green and Mullee are both getting their first taste of the big leagues.  Green has a 3.29 ERA, 8.4 K/9 and 3.53 K/BB rate over 336 1/3 minor league innings, starting 59 of his 69 career games.  He will start the Yankees’ game on Monday against the Diamondbacks.  Mullee, a career reliever, has a 2.13 ERA, 8.9 K/9 and 3.46 K/BB rate over 143 1/3 pro innings since being picked in the 24th round of the 2010 draft.

Minor MLB Transactions: 1/9/16

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Here are today’s minor moves from around the league.

  • The Royals have agreed to terms with lefty David Huff on a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite, MLBTR has learned. Huff will receive $1.1MM plus a possible $300K in performance bonuses if he’s in the Majors, and his deal contains opt-outs on May 15 and June 15. Huff appeared briefly with the Dodgers last season, but spent most of the year at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he posted a 2.20 ERA, 6.8 K/9 and 1.3 BB/9 over 57 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old has a 5.08 ERA, 5.4 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in parts of seven big-league seasons, which he’s split between starting and relieving.
  • The Padres have selected the contract of lefty Ryan Buchter, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune tweets. The Friars had previously signed Buchter to a minor league deal, but now, before he had even pitched an inning for them, they’ve placed him on their 40-man roster. Buchter had an excellent (if somewhat control-challenged) season at Triple-A in 2015, posting a 1.78 ERA, 11.0 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 in 50 2/3 innings of relief for two teams, and he has good velocity and is very tough on lefties. Getting him on a minor league deal looked like a small coup for the Padres, and it’s possible they’re adding him to their 40-man roster in order to avoid losing him, maybe to an opt-out clause or an offer from overseas.
  • The Pirates have released righty Casey Sadler, Matt Eddy of Baseball America tweets. Sadler underwent Tommy John surgery after the 2015 season and was subsequently outrighted. The 25-year-old made one strong start with the Bucs in 2015 and spent the rest of the year at Triple-A Indianapolis, where he posted a 4.56 ERA, 5.3 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 before getting hurt.
  • The Brewers have announced that they’ve signed lefty Pat Misch to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite. The 34-year-old Misch appeared in parts of six big-league seasons with the Giants and Mets, but he hasn’t been in the Majors since 2011. He’s had a strange journey since having Tommy John surgery in August 2013, as BA’s John Manuel writes — beginning last winter, he pitched in the Puerto Rican Winter League, then pitched 72 innings in a swingman role with Triple-A New Orleans in the Marlins system (posting a 3.25 ERA, 5.0 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9), then 64 2/3 with Lamigo in the Chinese Professional Baseball League. That stint finished with a Game 7 no-hitter to end the Taiwan Series.
  • The Yankees have signed infielders Donovan Solano and Jonathan Diaz to minor league deals with Spring Training invites, Eddy tweets. Solano, formerly the Marlins’ semi-regular second baseman, did not hit well in 2015 and bounced back and forth between Miami and New Orleans. He has a career .257/.307/.328 batting line in parts of four big-league seasons. The 30-year-old Diaz has played briefly with the Red Sox and Blue Jays; he spent most of 2015 with the Jays’ Triple-A Buffalo affiliate, where he played shortstop, second base and center field and batted .223/.328/.284.
  • The Braves have agreed to terms with righty Rob Wooten, SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo tweets. The 30-year-old appeared in the Brewers bullpen in the 2013 through 2015 seasons, posting a combined 5.03 ERA, 7.0 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 and throwing in the high 80s. He spent most of 2015, in a tough pitching environment at Triple-A Colorado Springs, with a 4.67 ERA, 8.7 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 over 52 innings.
  • The Reds have signed infielder Carlos Triunfel to a minor league deal, tweets Eddy. The former top Mariners prospect, now 25, batted .264/.287/.398 in 329 plate appearances with Triple-A Sacramento in the Giants organization in 2015, splitting his time between shortstop, second and third. He has appeared briefly in the big leagues with the Mariners and Dodgers.

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