Off-Season Transactions: Latest - LHP Chris Michalak

[hsvstarsfan]

No doubt Huntsville Star historian David Weiser will recognize Scott Sheldon's name from his days in the A's organization

 

I did right away. Mostly a utility player who did well in the field, mostly at 3rd base, occasionally successful in the clutch, esp. during the Stars' championship season in 1994.

[RealityCheck]

While I'd rather have both, he's saying he'd rather have several older guys who can play at the AA/AAA level than one guy who was good in college, which I can kind of agree with.

 

I concur.

 

As an Indy fan, I would be happy to see veteran players like Rickey Henderson and John Burkett brought in. However, it is in the Brewers best interest to avoid short-term solutions (especially at critical positions - C, 1B, 3B, OF, SP, RP). The Brewers should use their playing time advantage to sign "young, starting potential" ML platoon players, back-ups, and fallen stars in order to avoid more "Mark Smith" type players. Although guys like Smith are well suited for Indy, they are not good enough to replace a missing ML starter (Jenkins) nor blossom into a future starter (Podsednik).

[MassBrew]

The Indy site also lists a preliminary roster (players not on the 40-man, but currently listed at AAA). Only one name is a surprise, and we will contact the Brewers to confirm. RHP Roberto Giron, the Tribe's closer for most of 2003, is listed. Perhaps he was re-signed by Milwaukee, as he had been a free agent.

 

The Brewers have confirmed for us that minor league free agent Roberto Giron has indeed been re-signed to a AAA contract. The lanky RH Dominican reliever's career began with the Blue Jays' organization, and detoured through four seasons of independent league ball before he joined High Desert in 2001. He'll be 28 in March.

 

Roberto Giron career numbers:

 

www.sports-wired.com/play...Name=CBHDA

[RealityCheck]

Roberto Giron ......http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/mad.gif

 

If Indy finishes below .500 again, I'll set Doug Melvin on fire!

 

http://www.gothamist.com/images/milton_looks.jpg

 

We haven't had 4 or more below .500 seasons in a row since 1909-1913.

[MassBrew]

We'll have to ask colbyjack to check his notes from the 2001 draft. The 60th overall pick (2nd round), RHP Garrett Berger was signed by the Brewers' today, the Journal's Tom Haudricourt reports.

 

Here's a Q&A from this winter's Florida Marlin Baseball America chat:

 

Q: Joe from Knoxville, Tenn asks:

What is the status / outlook for Marlins pitcher Garrett Berger? He was sidelined with Tommy John surgery following the 2001 draft.

 

A: Moderator: The man known as "Chunk" has had a hard time making it back so far, which is a shame. I really like the kid and his family. Unfortunately, he had bad control problems this year in the GCL and posted a 9.15 ERA in 14 outings. He received no support whatsoever for the Marlins Top 30 prospects list, so he'll drop off this year. Here's hoping he makes it back on the list next winter.

 

The Marlins released him in January. His signing bonus in 2001 was $795,000. The Marlins couldn't wait for more of a return on their investment in the 6'3", 240 lb. high schooler? He won't be 21 years old until May 11th.

 

Career numbers (all in 2003, rookie ball):

 

www.baseballamerica.com/c...erger%2C+g

 

Haudricourt also mentions the signing of RHP Jose de la Torre (no data available, other than to note he's only 18 years old).

 

Apparently Berger signed late in the summer of 2001, and was throwing in the high 90's during fall instructionals when he blew out his elbow, forcing surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament.

 

Perhaps a nice risk / reward signing, Dougie.

[mothershipconnection]

We haven't had 4 or more below .500 seasons in a row since 1909-1913.

I can't understand why Indy fans and personnel act so dissapointed about 3 consecutive losing seasons. Is this supposed to be a shocking disappointment? For god's sake, they signed a contract with a horrible team who had an absolutely barren farm system at the time, what in the world did they expect?

 

It's like paying to see an NSync concert and then complaining that it was no good. They're the one's who were dumb enough to sign the contract with the Brewers who had no one but Sheets, Neugebauer, and Hall in their farm system.

[MassBrew]

Haudricourt also mentions the signing of RHP Jose de la Torre (no data available).

 

Obviously the son the Yankee manager never mentioned before -- ahh, those winter league groupies!

[RealityCheck]

For god's sake, they signed a contract with a horrible team who had an absolutely barren farm system at the time, what in the world did they expect?

 

We didn't have many other options available.

[lynchmobster]

MassBrew: Perhaps a nice risk / reward signing, Dougie.

 

I'd say ditto on that. Pre-injury mid-90s stuff, young (20), and the nickname of "Chunk" definitely makes him a nugget, er chunk, for the "ol' Nugget Miner". Here is a previous BA chat on the Marlins' prospects before last season:

www.baseballamerica.com/t...11003.html

 

Q: Will from Indiana asks:

What do you know about the Marlins 2nd rounder in 2000 Garrett Berger? I know he touched the mid 90s in high school.

 

A: Jim Callis: Berger blew out his elbow in instructional league in 2001, when he was the Marlins' top pick (second round) and signed for $795,000. He had Tommy John surgery and is working his way back. You have to root for a guy nicknamed "Chunk," don't you?

[MassBrew]

You could make the case Luis Martinez' situation made room for yet another AAA signing, but the fact remains Indy's roster simply cannot remain this crowded:

 

Indyindians Press Release:

 

www.indyindians.com/press..._1104.html

 

RHP Jason Dickson Career Numbers through 2002:

 

www.sports-wired.com/play...Name=BAHDG

 

Many will remember Dickson's seemingly stellar rookie campaign with Anaheim in 1997, although his secondary numbers that season did not indicate a strong chance of sustained success.

 

2003 in the independent Atlantic League:

 

www.baseballamerica.com/c...ckson%2C+j

[gregmag]

Wow . . . he really fell off the face of the Earth after '97. His minor league numbers up to that point didn't suck at all. Does anybody know whether he got hurt? If he's healthy, he's actually the rare type of player for whom a spring training look-see might provide meaningful information.

 

Greg.

[MassBrew]

The Brewers have reached again into the independent baseball ranks, signing RHP Greg Modica of the Frontier League's River City (Missouri) Rascals. Current Brewer and former Ranger farmhand RHP Justin Backsmeyer (High Desert) was signed off of the same club last season.

 

Link:

 

www.rivercityrascals.com/...odica.html

 

Greg Modica's 2003 Frontier League Numbers:

 

www.baseballamerica.com/c...yer=modica

 

2001 / 2002 in the Padres organization (Rookie +):

 

www.sports-wired.com/play...sp?ID=6317

 

Brief article on his background and "stuff" from prior to his first pro contract:

 

www.timesnewsweekly.com/O...RGMVM.html

 

You'd have to think that at age 24 in May, Modica might squeeze into the pitching staff at A+ High Desert. Until the Brewers' site squares away its minor league pages, we can't know for sure.

 

This signing occurred on January 29th. Thanks for the heads-up from Baseball America, currently the only active source on the web for player signings / releases.

[MassBrew]

In a pleasant surprise, the Brewers' own site has updated minor league roster pages for the first time in months, now in sync with Brewerfan's http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

 

Recent RHP signee's Garrett Berger and Greg Modica have each been assigned to the Beloit roster.

 

Two new names at the Arizona rookie level:

 

Soon-to-be 22 year-old Carlos de la Cruz, a 6'3", 175 lb. infielder born 03/01/82, bats/throws right

 

Soon-to-be 19-year-old Jhonathan Blanc (listed spelling), a 6'3", 180 lb. outfielder born 03/22/85, bats/throws right

 

One name announced earlier is no longer listed -- Erickson Volcan, a 17-year-old RHP. Unless he re-appears, we'll assume that signing fell through.

 

Toby, still no sight of any of the DSL names on the Arizona roster. Maybe they'll be lent to an existing DSL squad down the road...

[MassBrew]

As mentioned in the Journal Sentinel today, LHP Chris Michalak has been signed to a minor league deal with a major league camp invite:

 

www.sports-wired.com/play...p?Name=HAE

[lynchmobster]

Imagine that, ANOTHER ex-Texas Ranger....

[950opsLHcatcher]

Maybe this is our new lefty specialist. Or shall we sign another 10 pitchers? The Brewers are going to have to take out a loan for all these balls they are going to need for throwing around.

[MassBrew]

Imagine that, ANOTHER ex-Texas Ranger....

 

And Michalak's 2001 season was split between Texas and Toronto, so given the Gord Ash connection it's a wonder he wasn't signed back in November...

 

Interesting to see a successful age 26 season in relief in High Desert with the D-Backs' system -- kind of gives hope to a lot of the current so-called "non-prospects" that you can get to the show.

[clancyphile]

Michalak has been a starter, too. A nice option if someone gets hurt.