Minor transactions thread

[Post Count Padder]

Down with Megathreads? Nah.

Phillies signed LHP James Russell to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Russell posted a rough 5.29 ERA in 49 relief appearances this past season for the Cubs. He'll try to reestablish himself next spring in Phillies camp with the hope of landing a spot in the bullpen for Opening Day. Signing a minor league deal this early probably means Russell was given some assurances from the Philadelphia front office. The 29-year-old left-hander was very effective for the Cubs and Braves in 2014.

[ctcf]

Brian Schlitter signed with the Rockies, lol

[Post Count Padder]

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee is joining the Giants on a minor league deal, Matt Eddy reported as part of a slew of signings. (See his Twitter feed for these and more.) Formerly a top prospect with the Rays, the 25-year-old suffered a serious knee injury and has not hit much since at the Triple-A level. Among other deals, San Francisco also brought back righty Ricky Romero, per Eddy.

We've come a long way from what our Top 10 prospects looked like after the Garza trade.

[Cubswin11]

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee is joining the Giants on a minor league deal, Matt Eddy reported as part of a slew of signings. (See his Twitter feed for these and more.) Formerly a top prospect with the Rays, the 25-year-old suffered a serious knee injury and has not hit much since at the Triple-A level. Among other deals, San Francisco also brought back righty Ricky Romero, per Eddy.

We've come a long way from what our Top 10 prospects looked like after the Garza trade.

Keith Law weeps while eating a pie somewhere after hearing this news

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Alex Avila to the White Sox for 1/2.5.

Recently DFA'd Allen Webster to Pittsburgh for cash. I've always liked Webster, especially after the Fangraphs article about finding bullpen diamonds in the rough I was hoping the Cubs might target him.

[Post Count Padder]

Geovany Soto to the Angels on a one-year deal.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Alex Avila to the White Sox for 1/2.5.

Recently DFA'd Allen Webster to Pittsburgh for cash. I've always liked Webster, especially after the Fangraphs article about finding bullpen diamonds in the rough I was hoping the Cubs might target him.

I was definitely intrigued by Webster after that read, especially if a guy like Cahill bolted.

[davell]

Mark Bowman ‏@mlbbowman 25s25 seconds ago Sandy Springs, GA

The #Braves have agreed to a one-year deal with veteran starting pitcher Bud Norris.

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS 44s45 seconds ago

bud norris gets $2.5M on 1-year braves deal

Pretty solid signing, imo. I was hoping for him as depth at around that same price. That said, I'd say most of these guys would prefer a guaranteed spot and the Braves can probably offer him that.

[Derwood]

Geovany Soto to the Angels on a one-year deal.

$2.8 million can buy you a lot of weed

[StylesClash]

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee is joining the Giants on a minor league deal, Matt Eddy reported as part of a slew of signings. (See his Twitter feed for these and more.) Formerly a top prospect with the Rays, the 25-year-old suffered a serious knee injury and has not hit much since at the Triple-A level. Among other deals, San Francisco also brought back righty Ricky Romero, per Eddy.

We've come a long way from what our Top 10 prospects looked like after the Garza trade.

Any particular reason why his production dropped so much once he went to Tampa? I remember taking a look at Lee's number in Peoria years ago and thinking he was the potential leadoff man of the future. Solid Walk totals, punch out's not too high, and a quality base stealer. Combined with above average defensive range and I'll admit that at one time I was higher on Lee than Castro.

[NonProfitCow]

Phillies claimed Peter Bourjos off waivers

[SouthSideRyan]

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee is joining the Giants on a minor league deal, Matt Eddy reported as part of a slew of signings. (See his Twitter feed for these and more.) Formerly a top prospect with the Rays, the 25-year-old suffered a serious knee injury and has not hit much since at the Triple-A level. Among other deals, San Francisco also brought back righty Ricky Romero, per Eddy.

We've come a long way from what our Top 10 prospects looked like after the Garza trade.

Any particular reason why his production dropped so much once he went to Tampa? I remember taking a look at Lee's number in Peoria years ago and thinking he was the potential leadoff man of the future. Solid Walk totals, punch out's not too high, and a quality base stealer. Combined with above average defensive range and I'll admit that at one time I was higher on Lee than Castro.

I think he had a pretty significant leg injury (Broken leg?)

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Phillies claimed Peter Bourjos off waivers

Running out of RH CF options to use as a Parra platoon or a handcuff for Span. Hicks, Martin, and Maybin were traded, Bourjos got claimed, and Gentry cleared waivers so it's unlikely the Cubs like him all that much. Basically leaves FAs like Stubbs and (unlikely) Jackson, or maybe trading for Melvin Upton's contract.

[davell]

I hadn't even thought of Upton. I wonder how much they'd eat on his deal?

[Rob]

I hadn't even thought of Upton. I wonder how much they'd eat on his deal?

There's two years left on his deal. $15.4M next year, and $16.4M for 2017.

He snuck under the radar pretty well, but actually had a pretty sold year last year. He missed a bunch of time early in the season and was awful when he came back. But he picked it up considerably towards the end of the season. He was worth 1.6 fWAR in about a half season of games.

If the Padres are willing to eat $10-20M, I'd be interested.

[davell]

Neftali Feliz was non tendered, weren't we trying to get him when he was DFA'd during the season? At any rate, I'd like to see us take a chance with him.

[davell]

So we wound up non tendering Ryan Cook and DFA'd Leathersich as well. Came to an agreement with Richard.


Henderson Alvarez was non tendered. Just had shoulder surgery, supposed to be ready by June.

[Little Slide Rooter]

So we wound up non tendering Ryan Cook and DFA'd Leathersich as well. Came to an agreement with Richard.


Henderson Alvarez was non tendered. Just had shoulder surgery, supposed to be ready by June.

Mike Minor, also recovering from shoulder surgery, was non-tendered as well. He and Alvarez would be worth checking in on.

[Post Count Padder]

So we wound up non tendering Ryan Cook and DFA'd Leathersich as well. Came to an agreement with Richard.


Henderson Alvarez was non tendered. Just had shoulder surgery, supposed to be ready by June.

That's $2 mil for Clayton Richard.

[OleMissCub]

Pads and A's swap Drew Pomeranz and Yonder Alonso.

[David]

Would anyone want pedro Alvarez on our bench with Wrigley's friendliness to lefties?

[Cubswin11]

Would anyone want pedro Alvarez on our bench with Wrigley's friendliness to lefties?

Sure, in the Daryle Ward PH role. But I'm guessing he'll be able to find and get paid accordingly for a relative/platoon starting role, no?

[David]

Also wonder how thoyer feels about middlebrooks

[davell]

Alvarez will get decent money from an AL team. 7-10 mill maybe? I'm not thinking Middlebrooks is getting a major league deal at this stage.

[David]

Would anyone want pedro Alvarez on our bench with Wrigley's friendliness to lefties?

Sure, in the Daryle Ward PH role. But I'm guessing he'll be able to find and get paid accordingly for a relative/platoon starting role, no?

Dunno. Huntington said they had zero trade interest but that's obviously not the same thing.