Complete list of minor league free agents

[And That]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-free-agents-2016/#mefEJEI9A1qrMoT6.97

 

Dig in.

 

From my reading of the situation, the Brewers don't have an abundance of need for depth at any particular position in the minor leagues, one of the benefits of having very arguably the deepest farm system in terms of prospect quality in baseball.

 

Forecast of 2017 rosters

 

They could probably use a middle infielder or two or three in the upper reaches of the minors. I currently have Angel Ortega being Colorado Springs' starting SS and Chris McFarland being the Sky Sox' second baseman, and I doubt that will be the case for either.

 

I assume they'll also bring in an upper level catcher or two, ala Rene Garcia, Josmil Pinto and Manny Pina last offseason.

 

They have a lot of pitching and outfield depth so I don't see those as needs at all, but I'm sure they'll find some people they like and bring them in anyway.

[JohnBriggs12]

They could probably use a lefty swinging power bat 1B/Corner OF type who could be called upon to provide bench help at some point. Wilkins fit the prototype last year but he just wasn't good enough. Maybe Ben Paulsen? Or maybe they can grab a bargain major league FA for that roll.

[And That]

Maybe, though I'd like to see if Cooper could finally tap into some of his power potential in Colorado Springs by playing him at first almost every day, and the outfield situation there already may be pretty crowded, with Brinson/Phillips/Cordell/Wren/Taylor all in the mix.

[And That]

Ran through the list last night and over lunch today, and these are the names I pulled out:

 

[pre]Arizona

RHP Palmer Betts ®

RHP Blake Perry (A+)

RHP Jency Solis (A+)

LHP Angelo Almonte (DSL)

 

Atlanta

RHP Maikel Cleto (AAA)

RHP Madison Younginer (AAA)

C Willians Astudillo (AA)

SS Daniel Castro (AAA)

 

Baltimore

RHP Jason Stoffel (AAA)

LHP Andy Oliver (AAA)

LHP Edgar Olmos (AAA)

C/1B Wynston Sawyer (AA)

CF L.J. Hoes (AAA)

 

Boston

RHP Roman Mendez (AAA)

C David Sopilka (A+)

CF Henry Ramos (AA)

 

Chicago Cubs

LHP Brian Matusz (AAA)

C Tim Federowicz (AAA)

RF Lane Adams (AAA)

 

Chicago White Sox

RHP Matt Heidenreich (AA)

RHP Peter Tago (AA)

RHP Jacob Turner (AAA)

 

Cincinnati

RHP Dayan Diaz (AAA)

CF Yorman Rodriquez (AAA)

RF Kyle Waldrop (AAA)

 

Cleveland

LHP TJ House (AAA)

 

Colorado

RHP Simon Castro (AAA)

RHP Johendi Jiminian (AA)

LHP Yoely Bello (A+)

2B Rafael Ynoa (AAA)

 

Detroit

OF Wynton Bernard (AA)

 

Houston

LHP Evan Grills (AAA)

C Roberto Pena (AA)

2B Chan Jong Moon (AAA)

 

Kansas City

IF/OF Orlando Calixte (AAA)

IF/OF Carlos Garcia (AA)

 

Los Angeles Angels

RHP Geoff Broussard (AAA)

RHP D.J. Johnson (AA)

LHP Brett Oberholtzer (AAA)

IF/OF Angelo Amendolare (A)

 

Los Angeles Dodgers

RHP Logan Bawcom (AAA)

RHP Lisalverto Bonilla (AAA)

RHP Daniel Corcino (AA)

RHP Seth Frankoff (AAA)

LHP Jeff Malm (A+)

IF/OF Zach Walters (AAA)

IF Drew Maggi (AAA)

1B/OF Alex Hassan (AAA)

CF Rico Noel (AAA)

 

Miami

RHP Kendry Flores (AAA)

RHP Asher Wojciechowski (AAA)

C Adrian Nieto (AAA)

IF Danny Muno (AA)

IF Garrett Weber (AA)

IF Elliot Soto (AAA)

RF Ronnie Mitchell (AA)

CF Kenny Wilson (AA)

 

Minnesota

None

 

New York Mets

LHP Andrew Barbosa (AA)

1B/3B Eric Campbell (AAA)

 

New York Yankees

RF Cesar Puello (AAA)

 

Oakland

RHP Andres Avila (AAA)

RHP Aaron Kurcz (AAA)

3B Colin Walsh (AAA)

 

Philadelphia

C Gabriel Lino (AA)

3B Carlos Alonso (AAA)

SS KC Serna (AA)

 

Pittsburgh

RHP Jhondaniel Medina (AAA)

LHP Kelvin Marte (AAA)

RF Stetson Allie (AA)

 

St. Louis

RHP Jhonatan Escudero (A-)

RHP Silfredo Garcia (A+)

LF/1B Jonathan Rodriguez (AA)

1B/RF David Washington (AAA)

 

San Diego

3B Mike Olt (AA)

 

San Francisco

RHP Preston Claiborne (AA)

 

Seattle Mariners

RHP Osmer Morales (A+)

RHP Isaac Sanchez (AA)

RHP Forrest Snow (AAA)

LHP Kraig Sitton (AAA)

SS Benji Gonzalez (AA)

 

Tampa Bay

RHP Jose Alonzo (A-)

RHP Andrew Bellatti (AA)

RHP Casey Coleman (AAA)

LHP Adam Wilk (AAA)

C Armando Araiza (AA)

 

Texas

RHP Jefri Hernandez (AAA)

RHP David Perez (AA)

LHP Juan Grullon (AA)

LHP Victor Payano (AA)

C Carson Blair (AAA)

 

Toronto

RHP Wilmer Font (AA)

 

Washington

RHP Paolo Espino (AAA)[/pre]

[JohnBriggs12]

Maybe, though I'd like to see if Cooper could finally tap into some of his power potential in Colorado Springs by playing him at first almost every day, and the outfield situation there already may be pretty crowded, with Brinson/Phillips/Cordell/Wren/Taylor all in the mix.

 

Don't disagree on Cooper, but they will be down 2 LH bats at CS, Cecchini and Wilkins, and it's far from sure thing that either Phillips or Taylor make CS roster. Reed, Cordell, Brinson and Cooper are all RH bats as are Broxton and Santana in Milwaukee. Wren isn't a power guy. Organizationally, they are lacking LH power at the higher levels including Milwaukee. Maybe they'll add a value FA at the major league level instead. There are guys out there for sure They need to get one somewhere.

[FVBrewerFan]

Cooper will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft, really doubt he gets added to the Brewers 40 man. Not high odds another team would take him, but you never know.

 

Also, no, they don't need a LH power bat in Milwaukee next season, and they certainly don't need one in CS.

[nate82]

From And That's list I like KC Serna, Kraig Sitton, Andrew Barbosa, Cesar Puello and Brian Matusz.

[And That]

After throwing these guys into the Power 50 scoring system that CWH came up with, my top 25 players to sign in order of priority would be (excluding guys who have already signed):

 

1. Daniel Castro - SS Rockies

2. Kendry Flores - RHSP Cardinals

3. Henry Ramos - CF Dodgers

4. Peter Tago - RHRP Mariners

5. Johendi Jiminian - RHRP Rockies

6. Roberto Pena - C White Sox

7. Yorman Rodriguez - OF

8. Jhondaniel Medina - RHRP Cubs

9. Cesar Puello - OF Rangers

10. KC Serna - SS Marlins

11. Benji Gonzalez - SS Twins

12. Willians Astudillo - C

13. Andrew Bellatti - RHRP

14. David Washington - 1B Orioles

15. Evan Grills - LHRP Rockies

16. Palmer Betts - RHSP

17. Elliot Soto - SS

18. Kenny Wilson - CF A's

19. Armando Araiza - C Braves

20. Drew Maggi - SS

21. Carson Blair - C

22. LJ Hoes - CF

23. Wynton Bernard - OF Giants

24. Aaron Kurcz - RHRP A's

25. Colin Walsh - 3B Braves

26. Edgar Olmos - LHRP Red Sox

...

64. Paolo Espino - RHSP

75. Andrew Barbosa - LHRP

82. Andy Oliver - LHRP

 

Edit: Apparently as soon as I clicked submit, Walsh was signed by Atlanta.

[jerichoholicninja]

Walsh singed a minor league deal with the Braves. Kind of surprising that Stearns was willing to give up a 25 man roster spot for him last year but didn't get him on a minor league deal this year.

[JohnBriggs12]

David Washington is the guy I'd target. Will be just 26, and bats lefthanded. Basically same age that Broxton was when he was acquired last winter. Posted an .877 OPS at AAA in 2016 (.913 vs. RHP). Had 30 HR. Substantial experience at both 1B and corner OF. Strikes out a lot, but power is enough that you can live with it if it transfers to majors. Longshot but not impossible for him to show enough to make dealing Carter more likely.

[JohnBriggs12]

Cooper will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft, really doubt he gets added to the Brewers 40 man. Not high odds another team would take him, but you never know.

 

Also, no, they don't need a LH power bat in Milwaukee next season, and they certainly don't need one in CS.

 

Every team needs power bats from both sides. You want one in AAA just in case your major league team outperforms expectations and is missing that piece. The Brewers proved they have a desire for that type of player when they promoted Wilkins last year, even though they are in a rebuild. They also wanted to see more power out of Flores and the one thing they do like about Nieuwenhuis is his occasional power surges.

 

There's plenty of available AB's in AAA for two 1B/OF/DH types. Preference would be on RH and one LH. David Washington and Garrett Cooper were born 35 days apart.

[And That]

David Washington is the guy I'd target. Will be just 26, and bats lefthanded. Basically same age that Broxton was when he was acquired last winter. Posted an .877 OPS at AAA in 2016 (.913 vs. RHP). Had 30 HR. Substantial experience at both 1B and corner OF. Strikes out a lot, but power is enough that you can live with it if it transfers to majors. Longshot but not impossible for him to show enough to make dealing Carter more likely.

Agreed. He's one of the guys that really stood out to me, and not just because he's 6'5, 260. Given that he's just 25, there's a chance he might get a major league contract because he would still have three options. If I were the Brewers, I would consider it. I'd rather take a shot on Washington than continue to hang on to Goforth, or maybe even Blazek.

[pacopete4]

David Washington is the guy I'd target. Will be just 26, and bats lefthanded. Basically same age that Broxton was when he was acquired last winter. Posted an .877 OPS at AAA in 2016 (.913 vs. RHP). Had 30 HR. Substantial experience at both 1B and corner OF. Strikes out a lot, but power is enough that you can live with it if it transfers to majors. Longshot but not impossible for him to show enough to make dealing Carter more likely.

 

 

Couldn't agree more. He should be our 4th/5th OF, backup 1B to go into the season. Give this guy a look and maybe, just maybe he's our 1B to fill the gap. Plus stealing one from the Cardinals would be oh so sweet.

[And That]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/analytical-look-minor-league-free-agents/#EFLmvrXv1Vb4ag6x.97

 

Pretty cool look at minor league FA analytics.

[JohnBriggs12]

David Washington is the guy I'd target. Will be just 26, and bats lefthanded. Basically same age that Broxton was when he was acquired last winter. Posted an .877 OPS at AAA in 2016 (.913 vs. RHP). Had 30 HR. Substantial experience at both 1B and corner OF. Strikes out a lot, but power is enough that you can live with it if it transfers to majors. Longshot but not impossible for him to show enough to make dealing Carter more likely.

Agreed. He's one of the guys that really stood out to me, and not just because he's 6'5, 260. Given that he's just 25, there's a chance he might get a major league contract because he would still have three options. If I were the Brewers, I would consider it. I'd rather take a shot on Washington than continue to hang on to Goforth, or maybe even Blazek.

 

Would have more value on the 40 man than Reed at this point too wouldn't he? No knock on Reed, but they are loaded with RH hitting OF but are short on lefty power and 1B.

[Crash2303]

fwiw- my top "10" guys I'd look to sign. They are ranked in groupings of position based on need/talent and I wouldn't sign more than one player from each positional grouping. (I re-edited it based off of the original minor league free agent list and updated signings as of 11/21).

Position Players:

1B/OF

1a) David Washington - (for all the reasons people have mentioned above)

1b) Jesus Montero - (his 50 game drug suspension would give cooper time to see what he can do)

 

C

2a) Michael McKenry - (resign for AAA depth and outside shot at MLB if Maldy is dealt)

2b) Josmil Pinto - (resign- bat is MLB capable, c/1b and other parts of game, well...)

 

3B

3a) Colin Walsh- 3b/2b (resign- now with some AAA time under belt- ready for the MLB challenge again)

3b) Garin Cecchini- 3b/1b (resign- still hasn't reach potential- would be a nice AAA starting 3b with some upside)

3c) Travis Denker - 3b/2b/of (intriguing- spent like five years in independent and Mexican leagues- came back and crushed AA last year, but is 30 years old)

3d) Gabriel Quintana -3b/2b/of (only 24 and has big power- not much else)

3e) Jermaine Curtis - 3b/2b/of (think Orf, but 29 years old)

 

2B/SS

4a) Daniel Castro - (brought up at 22 and still only 24, not much bat but good D for AAA middle infield utility depth)

4b) Jose Vinicio - (only 23- worth a flyer for infield depth)

 

OF (if braun is traded and major league outfield is filled with young in house options)

5a) Ramon Flores - (ok, last year sucked- agreed, but wish we could keep his talent in the system)

5b) Shane Peterson - (great organizational outfield depth and 1b depth)

5c) Cesar Puello- (high OB% and 25 years old)

5d) Yorman Rodriguez- (solid all around and only 24- was out most of last year)

 

 

Pitchers:

intriguing position player turned pitcher

1a) Yhonathan Barrios (resign- coming off injury, but still so new to pitching- too intriguing to let go)

1b) Luis Ramirez- (nice K numbers)

 

organizational depth

2a) Cesar Valdez (my pick for this year's Junior Guerra)

2b) Hiram Burgos (resign- but if he has a shot at MLB elsewhere- hope he takes that instead)

2c) Tim Dillard (resign for morale- but hope he continues in marketing in some capacity)

 

younger talent to take a flyer on

3a) Kender Villegas (resign- only 23)

3b) Jhondaniel Medina (only 23 and pitched well at AAA)

3c) Peter Tago- (recently turned 24 with nice numbers through AA including some big Ks this past season)

3d) Kendry Flores (only 24 and in majors with good looking minor league numbers)

 

left-handed relief depth

4a) Adam Wilk

4b) Adam Kolarek

 

veteran right-handed relief depth (only if we lose some AAA pitching depth in trades)

5a) Maikel Cleto (big K numbers)

5b) Ben Rowen (did not do well after trade, but good track record)

5c) Austin Ross (stuck in Colorado for too long- one more go round?)

[And That]

Barrios has already been re-signed. Vinicio, Villegas and Tago have signed elsewhere.

[Mass Haas]

Catcher Sebastian Valle (Baseball Reference), 26 years old, a longtime Phillies farmhand who played at the AA level in the Yankees system in 2016, is apparently being considered by the Crew, via this tweet out of his native Mexico. He last appeared in AAA in 2014, and his caught stealing percentage in his two most recent U.S.-based seasons (2014, 2016) is 44% (48-of-109). That defense provides value despite the pedestrian offensive numbers.

 

Sebastián Valle negotiating his permanence in the USA. Yankees, Brewers and Blue Jays are interested.

[JohnBriggs12]

O's signed David Washington to a minor league deal. Missed opportunity.

[brewmann04]

maybe the O's offered more or maybe he felt he had a better shot with the Birds.

[MKE81]

O's have a DH spot too and Trumbo is a FA

[Crash2303]

I'd also like to bring back Gian Rizzo to the states, particularly Milwaukee, or even more particularly Biloxi

[Mass Haas]

Via Baseball America, Reds transactions littered with former Brewers --

 

Signed: RHP Kevin Shackelford (re-signed), LHP Lucas Luetge, C Shawn Zarraga

Added to 40-man: RHP Barrett Astin

 

Shackelford and Astin was the combo that netted Jonathan Broxton.

 

Giants signed RHP Neil Ramirez, who was briefly a 2016 big league Brewer. RHP Derek Eitel signed with the Nationals.

[Mass Haas]

Catcher Sebastian Valle (Baseball Reference), 26 years old, a longtime Phillies farmhand who played at the AA level in the Yankees system in 2016, is apparently being considered by the Crew, via this tweet out of his native Mexico. He last appeared in AAA in 2014, and his caught stealing percentage in his two most recent U.S.-based seasons (2014, 2016) is 44% (48-of-109). That defense provides value despite the pedestrian offensive numbers.

 

Sebastián Valle negotiating his permanence in the USA. Yankees, Brewers and Blue Jays are interested.

 

Ended up signing with a "mystery team" -- Mariners.

[nate82]

Wow the Brewers actually signed someone on my list of players I thought were interesting.