Free Agent Targets: Minor League Deals

Had a renaissance last year! Had him as my back up play-every-position man in fantasy.

MLBTR: The 37-year-old infielder played shortstop and second base for the Dodgers in 2011, posting a .290/.359/.347 line in 510 plate appearances. He hasn’t posted an on-base percentage below .355 in any of the past four seasons and he has a career mark of .356 after a decade in the Major Leagues. Carroll, who also has experience at third base and in the outfield, stole ten bases without getting caught this past season. He is not a ranked free agent and won’t cost his new team a draft pick.

I’d take both on a Kotchman-type deal and see how it works out. Although, it was telling that the Brewers went with no lefty rather than let Stetter pitch last year for most of the season and he’s done nothing over the past two seasons for them. He is recovering from hip surgery that he had in August so he shouldn’t take anything more than a low-risk minor league deal.

… I’m not on the Jamey Carroll-to-the-Rays wagon. Sure, he’d be a solid utility man who’d provide more value than Reid Brignac in ‘11 at short. But … his defense in ’11 was below average (according to UZR) across the board. He is right handed and (a bit) better against lefties and thus not providing anything over Sean Rodriguez against lefties and not enough for 350 PA’s against righties.

I think Nick Punto is a much better fit. His offense was ahead of Carroll’s in ‘11. His defense (at short, 2nd and 3rd) seems to be better than Carroll’s. He is slightly better against righties and thus complements Rodriguez much better and he is 3 years younger.

He’d be my first signing of the season for something like 2yrs, 5-7mio.

Max Ramirez C – put up good OBPs in the minors and in very limited time in the majors. Is he hopeless on defense? Did his wrist problem ruin his throwing? Scot Hatteberg?

Ryan Shealy 1b – knee problems, but he’s hit in the past.

Garrett Olson P – former 1st rounder, lefty, pitches decently in relief but doesn’t have the pitches to start.

Jason Bergmann P – was pretty good pre-injury.

Mark Prior P – talk about high upside! But the injury history is tragic.

Logan Kensing P – first year back after injury he was striking people out in AAA but was a bit wild. Only 28.

Adam Miller P – was a big-time prospect, got hurt, didn’t pitch well this year but with more time maybe he’d bounce back. Huge upside.

Adam Loewen OF – hit well at AAA this season.

What about Jonathan Broxton he is what the Rays love a good pitcher coming off an injury year. He would be a great add to our BP. I would also love to see the Rays go after Jeff Mathis of the Angels He doesn’t have the hits but neither did Shoppach. Mathis is a defensive machine the Angel pitchers only want Mathis behind the plate.

I would give Jeff Clement a ST invite and keep Adam Russell, as he is a FA also.

As of right now, their current closer is Kyle Farnsworth.

As any Yankee fan can tell you, that’s not a good thing.

Sure he was exceptionally good last season posting a 2.18 ERA with a WHIP of 0.99. However, he’s known as a hard thrower with little control. It’s hard to imagine him repeating those numbers especially since he’s only had back-to-back seasons with an ERA south of 3.00 just once.

Heath Bell is a real, legitimate closer. He would give the Tampa Bay Rays a reliable option at the end of the bullpen, something they haven’t had in years.

If I were Joe Maddon, I’d feel a lot better knowing Heath Bell was going to close out the game instead of Kyle Farnsworth.

No mention in the article anywhere about Type A status…..

reportedly signs with Philly.

Glad to see him out of Boston.

Can’t hit lefties but he has hit .298/.371/.501 vs RHP over the past 2 seasons (490 PA)

How about Matt Murton? We were interested in him previously, and he tore it up in Japan last year. He’ll certainly cost more than the guys mentioned in this article, but he also wouldn’t cost a pick.

At shortstop, also Munenori Kawasaki might be a candidate. I wouldn’t be shocked if he stays in Japan though. He’s a glove-first type who probably wouldn’t put up on OPS much above .700 in the majors, plus he’s had persistent injury problems to boot. But he’s another name to throw out there in a weak field of shortstops.

Should Type A matter that much this year? Maybe that’s where we can find an inefficiency. The lower-end Type A guys tend to get cheaper deals due to the fact they’re Type A. That said, since we had like 13 top draft picks in this past draft, it wouldn’t kill us to lose a pick or two this year.

Doumit turned down a 1yr, $3Million offer from the Dodgers.

Scratch him off the list.