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More on Minor League Free Agents

We previously have mentioned some Quad-A type players who would be worth a a gamble at the 3d base position.  Dave Cameron has an article at Fangraphs which picks out a few minor league free agents of interest.  I particularly like Reuben Gotay, who might be a nice gamble for the 3d base position.  Gotay used to be a 2d base prospect, but defensive range issues held him back, but now he is playing 3d base more. Cameron says of Gotay:

 

While playing for the Diamondbacks affiliate in the PCL, Gotay racked up a .272/.429/.450 line that shows off a strong ability to control the strike zone. He drew 102 walks and struck out just 69 times, and unlike some minor league walk aficionados, he actually flashed some power – 42 of his 101 hits went for extra bases.

As a switch-hitter with plate discipline and power, Gotay has a good enough bat to play in the majors. His defense is the question mark, but teams with an opening at 3B or a willingness to sacrifice some range at 2B should be willing to give him a shot. Heading into his age 27 season, his best days may still be ahead of him.

I particularly like looking at these Quad-A players because the team doesn't take much risk signing them.  Cameron also links the full list of minor league free agents, but I haven't had time to look through it yet.  If you want to take perusal and comment on the list, I can give the direct link.  Most of you know the term, "Quad A" or 4A player, but I'll explain it for those who don't.  Some players are prospects who succeed at AAA, but--for whatever reason---do not succeed at the MLB level, and then leave the prospect stage after they age beyond 25 years old or so.  These players often continue to excel at AAA, thus earning the title "Quad A player" as if they are ready for a new league between the majors and AAA.  Some of these players never made it in in the majors because they weren't given a good chance, had bad luck, or just played behind better players.

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I saw that note about Gotay and thought the same thing you did. If nothing else, it’s worth taking a shot on signing Gotay to the Round Rock roster with a shot at making the team in Spring Training. He might take up time for a guy like Jose Vallejo in Triple-A, but if they could play Maysonet, Johnson, Manzella, Jason Smith, Mark Saccomanno and a host of others on the Round Rock infield last season, they can do this.

by David Coleman on Nov 17, 2009 12:05 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

May take some bidding to get Gotay

But surely it would still be inexpensive and worthwhile.

Holy god, 21.6% walk rate. That’s downright… Puma like. Of course, it’s just one season, but still. Sign him up, Wade!

by OremLK on Nov 17, 2009 12:52 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

I love it, way more impressive numbers than johnson in the PCL. He’s a defensive question mark but so is Johnson. This is high up on my list of options at 3rd. I’d rather keep tejada but if payroll doesn’t allow it, this is a great option. He has a better chance at getting the job at the big league level here than many other places which may sway him to pick us in a bidding war. Plus we’d have manzella next to him to compensate for his lack of range.

by Subber10 on Nov 17, 2009 2:24 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

How about the rule 5 draft?

I’ve mentioned him before, but it looks like Kevin Russo still isn’t on the Yankees roster. We’ll see if that changes, but if he isn’t added, he will be Rule 5 eligible. Russo batted .326/.397/.431 this year. He played 67 games at second base, 18 at third base, and 6 at shortstop.

Any other possibilities?

by OremLK on Nov 17, 2009 4:41 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Blast from the Past

Mike Lamb is a minor league free agent this offseason. He seems to have taken a hit to whatever skills made him an Astros fan favorite once he left Minute Maid Park. It could just be the sort of mojo-loss that happens as a player gets older, but it’d be interesting to see if he could regain it in a familiar setting.

by AstroAndy on Nov 17, 2009 9:48 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Blast from the past 2

I see Jason Lane is a minor league free agent as well….

by astro_boy on Nov 17, 2009 11:48 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I noticed that Lamb is with the Mets’ minor league organization. I guess the Brewers gave up on trying to get anything more out of him. My assumption is that his skills fell off a cliff, like Jason Lane and Morgan Ensberg. But if scouts think otherwise, it might be worth seeing if he can pinch hit. Lamb was a great streak hitter.

There are some other names on that free agent lists of note. Dallas McPherson is still around as one of the most oft-mentioned Quad A player. I think McPherson was out last season with an injury. Supposedly he is healthy and ready to play now. Eric Duncan seemed like a possibility—-until I looked at his stats and saw that he couldn’t hit a lick last year. Duncan, a former first round draft choice, used to be one of the most highly touted 3d base prospects in baseball (to some extent this was probably the “hype effect” for Yankees prospects), and his wikipedia page indicates he was AFL MVP a couple of times and a minor league all star third baseman. I remember when the Astros were 16-30 to start 2005 and Astros fan internet posters were saying, “If we trade Roger Clemens to the Yankees, we can get Eric Duncan, and he will be a superstar.” What happened to him? Duncan is only 24 and his hitting fell off a cliff a few years ago.

by clack on Nov 18, 2009 1:40 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I wouldn’t mind givng Clint Everts a shot in AAA. Former Cy-Falls product drafted over Scott Kazmir in the same draft. 25 years old. Had a TJ Surgery setback and didn’t post good stats until last year. Nationals dropped him.

by GhostOfGlennDavis on Nov 18, 2009 6:57 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

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