Brewer Minor League Free Agents; Propose Replacements From Other Organizations

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers will have exclusive rights until mid-October to sign (or add to the 40-man roster) the following players who otherwise will become minor league free agents. As per usual, if we've included or failed to include someone in error, let us know. BOLD = resigned

 

RHP Joe Bateman -- re-signed, big league training camp, non-roster invite

RHP Troy Cate -- officially a free agent

RHP Derrick Turnbow -- officially a free agent

RHP Nic Ungs -- officially a free agent

RHP Mike Jones -- re-signed to a minor league deal

RHP Juan Sandoval -- re-signed to a minor league deal

 

RHP John Axford

 

LHP Randy Choate -- officially a free agent

LHP Lindsay Gulin -- re-signed, big league training camp, non-roster invite

LHP Sam Narron -- re-signed, big league training camp, non-roster invite

LHP Chris Narveson -- re-signed, big league training camp, non-roster invite

LHP Erasmo Ramirez -- officially a free agent

LHP Derrick Ellison

LHP Rafael Lluberes -- re-signed to a minor league deal

 

INF Chris Woodward -- officially a free agent

INF Ozzie Chavez -- officially a free agent

INF Guilder Rodriguez

 

UT Callix Crabbe -- officially a free agent

UT Michael Garciaparra -- re-signed to a minor league deal

 

OF Jay Gibbons -- officially a free agent

OF Mel Stocker -- officially a free agent

 

C Eric Munson -- officially a free agent

[battlekow]

I'm sure Richie Gardner is soon for this list. He's not going to last very much longer on the 40-man.

[Mass Haas]

I'm sure Richie Gardner is soon for this list. He's not going to last very much longer on the 40-man.

Even if he was waived, if he cleared, he'd still be Brewer property for 2009.

 

And certainly there are those now in Milwaukee (Laynce Nix) who will be leaving as well, but that's not what this thread was about. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[craigharmann]

RHP Derrick Turnbow

Buh-bye! Hopefully you invested your money wisely! Or you're prepared to do something other than baseball to pay the bills!

[brwrsfan]

So, realistically...how many of these guys can we expect to be either on the 40 man or in the system somewhere next year?

[Mass Haas]

Joe Bateman perhaps a 40-man spot, moe likely enticed back with a nice AAA deal and a non-roster spring training invite.

 

The others, maybe they'll try and keep Axford and Lluberes.

 

If Guilder Rodriguez wants to continue to be a semi-coach in Huntsville, he might be asked back.

 

Likely goodbye to all the others. Not unusual turnover, especially all the AAA guys.

[paul253]

Any chance we resign Mike Jones and move him to the pen? I know his numbers are bad this year but it was nice to finally see him healthy. Anyone know how hard he throws now?

[Mass Haas]

Lots on Jones in this article we recently linked to here, including velocity.

 

The only thing that makes you think the Brewers are considering re-signing him is that they stuck out each and every bit of 2008 with him.

[JoeHova]

I wouldn't mind them trying to keep Erasmo Ramirez and Callix Crabbe around as well. Ramirez will probably want to try another org after not getting the call this September, I would think, but he seems like he could be useful in an emergency. I just kind of like Crabbe, though he hasn't ever really hit (2007 excepted). I still feel he could be a late blooming average starter, a la Eric Young.

[battlekow]

Mass, I think you're right and I'm wrong. I asked Keith Law, and he said that a player can become a free agent after being outrighted twice, rather than DFA. Since Gardner was DFA by the Reds but not outrighted, because the Brewers claimed him, he'll be around next year if he passes through waivers.

[twobrewers]

C Eric Munson (his official affiliation with the club has probably already ended, including final paperwork)

I heard a few updates about Munson about a month back. He was still rehabbing with the Brewers at that time.

[CheezWizHed]

Lots on Jones in this article we recently linked to here, including velocity.

 

The only thing that makes you think the Brewers are considering re-signing him is that they stuck out each and every bit of 2008 with him.

Although, if his wife covers Seattle, he may be inclined to head to their system instead.

 

If he does resign with Milwaukee (which I hope he will), it would be nice to see him in AAA or A+, just for the change in scenery. Sounds like it was going south with the fans in Huntsville.

[Minigoon]

According to Baseball America, Rafael Lluberes was resigned after the season. It also lists the Brewers signing outfielder Luis Chirinos and right handed pitcher Vladimir Diaz. Edgar Trejo and Wily Peralta were officially reinstated from the DL.

[Mass Haas]

Baseball America reports that the Brewers have resigned RHP Joe Bateman and utility man Michael Garciaparra to new minor league deals for 2009. They still have time to consider adding Bateman to the 40-man as well to protect him from Rule 5.

 

Also in that same report, the Brewers have officially cut ties with RHP Derrick Turnbow, LHP Randy Choate, and C Eric Munson.

Others listed above not re-signed will formally become free agents in another week or two.

[dadofandrew]

Very rare for a team to take a lower ceiling guy like Bateman in the rule 5. It's happened, but I think the Crew will take that chance...there will be better options on waivers.

[craigharmann]

Also in that same report, the Brewers have officially cut ties with RHP Derrick Turnbow

He may love puppies and be a super nice guy, but thank God that experiment is over. Goodbye Derrick!

[Mass Haas]

Joe Bateman did indeed receive a non-roster spring training invite for 2009.

 

The Brewers have re-signed three members of the Sounds 2008 rotation, and have invited all to join Bateman as non-roster spring training invites -- LHP's Chris Narveson, Sam Narron, and Lindsay Gulin.

 

Sounds Website with the Details

[dadofandrew]

They seem to be going hard after anyone they want to return. I would guess they have offers out to 2-3 more, and then will focus on who else is out there.

[Mass Haas]

Baseball America has done a fantastic job of organizing the six-year minor league free agent list this year, including an explanation of why the list is out later than usual.

LINK

The Brewers' portion of the list looks like this --

Milwaukee Brewers (9)
RHP: Nestor Corredor ®, Nick Ungs (AAA)
LHP: Troy Cate (AAA), Erasmo Ramirez (AAA)
2B: Callix Crabbe (AAA)
SS: Ozzie Chavez (AA), Chris Woodward (AAA)
OF: Jay Gibbons (AAA), Mel Stocker (Hi A)

I had forgotten to include converted catcher Nestor Corredor on the initial post in this thread. Also, it appears RHP John Axford and LHP Derrick Ellison are still Brewers' property. You would think INF Guilder Rodriguez would be a free agent, maybe the perpetual AA utility man has been re-signed yet again.

Feel free to use this thread to also discuss which free agents intrigue you as potential future Brewers.

[colbyjack]

Uh-oh, Keith Ginter and Jason Lane are available...

 

There are quite a few names that stand out to me. I didn't really look at the pitchers that much, since they're harder to keep track of than the positional players, and IMO the team does need to try and collect a handful of left-handed bats that could be options off of the bench. One name that doesn't fit this bill but that really stands out is Joel Guzman, who was a top 10 prospect overall not too long ago. He has a big power stroke, but just needs someone to convince him to take a pitch, and a walk, once and a while.

 

Here are the others:

 

Hector Gimenez: Switch-hitting catcher, better as a LH hitter, missed '07 due to injury, great arm behind the plate, progressed as a hitter as he moved up.

Kevin Howard: Left-handed hitting infielder, more of a 2B/3B type. Tons of patience, walks more than he Ks, good numbers in the minors, a little surprised he hasn't been given more of a chance to stick (which usually says something more than the stats do).

D'Angelo Jimenez: A Craig Counsell type at a fraction of the cost. Switch-hitter with infield versatility.

Tim Raines Jr.: Switch hitting OF that has put up good numbers. Can steal bases.

Rob Mackowiak: A personal fave of mine for a long time. Not great numbers, but is versatile and better vs. RHP.

Todd Linden: Switch-hitting OF with some MLB experience. Hits well from both sides.

Val Majewski: Big, powerful left-handed hitting OF. Potential good bench bat for corner OF/1B/DH (although that could be Brad Nelson).

Bronson Sardinha: Still young (26 next April), good left-handed bat, can hit, good approach, limited power. OF tweener (similar to Melky Cabrera).

Mike Stodolka: Converted from LHP to 1B just a couple of years ago, as he was a two-way star in HS. Doesn't have a place with KC, who has a glut of fringe 1B types, but Stodolka still could blossom with patience since he's relatively new to hitting.

Scott Thorman: Big, left-handed thumper from North of the border. Was never given a chance to stick at 1B in Atlanta with LaRoche/Kotchman, and may have gotten stale at AAA.

[Minigoon]

As Colby gave some position players, I figured I would give a quick rundown on a few pitchers I like.

Ryan Wing: Lefty reliever. Oakland organization. Will be 27 this season. Really seemed to find his roll last season out of the bullpen. Only 2 HR's allowed in 54 innings at Sacramento of the PCL. Good arm to have in AAA.
R.J. Swindel: Lefty reliever. Philadelphia organization. Cup of coffee with the Phils last season. Extreme soft tosser. Curve in the low 50's. Dominating #'s in the minors. K/BB ration of 5.6 to 1. Turns 26 in July, and he's a Canadian.
Jesse English: Lefty starter. Giants organization. Hasn't pitched above A+ level. Upper 80's to low 90's fastball, plus change, curve. Was talked about early on as a better prospect than Matt Cain. Change is very effective on righties. Expected to fast track through the minors. Still only 24 years old. Seemed like he became more motivated once he became a father. Would love to see him get a shot to start in Huntsville.
Jason Waddell: Lefty reliever. Giants organization. Seems to have stagnated at AA. Will be 28 in June. Upper 80's fastball, change, slider. LOOGY potential.
Ferdin Tejeda: Righty reliever. Braves organization. Former shortstop that was converted to a pitcher in 2005 Live arm and good control. Definately would like to see if he can hold his own at AA. Will be 26 this season. Very much a sleeper.

I also liked Lee Gronkiewicz who was with Boston last season but he is out until mid 2009 after under going Tommy John surgery.

The need appears to be right handed starters as right now, the AAA rotation looks like it could be 5 lefties, Narron, Narvason, Gulin, Welch, and Wright.

[clancyphile]

Actually, the Giants lefty to pinch - Erick Threets. He's two years younger and one level higher.

[Mass Haas]

This Twins blogger did some nice minor league free agent analysis.

[Mass Haas]

I'd happily take a chance on JD Martin

 

 

Paul Bush is a former AFL player and a high character guy.

 

I also think we should take this with a grain of salt, as this writer claims that Capellan throws 100. With the Brewers he rarely went above 92, except for that one dominant outing in relief vs the Rockies when he was hitting 97.

Edit -- moved to proper thread -- my error, not DHonks...