Off-Season Transactions - Prior To Rule 5

[lend d money]

I don't know that Tekulve would want to say anthing different. As I understand it(and please correct me if I am wrong), we have to pay the organization for his services. Therefore, it would be foolish for him to say he sold us a Yugo when advertised as a Cadillac. Not saying he doesn't have a chance, just trying to lend a little perspective.

[MassBrew]

Not a lot of online information available on Dave Bradley, but interestingly, twice Bradley won an award named for Kent Tekulve. This 1999 article discusses that and summarizes the college numbers that earned Bradley the honors he received:

 

www.marietta.edu/~marc/99...rts/3.html

 

Bradley's roster profile featuring his 2002 numbers and achievements:

 

www.washingtonwildthings....1052508835

[MassBrew]

According to the transaction page at milb.com, the Brewers have signed a right-handed starting pitcher by the name of Ricardo Gomez to a 2004 High Desert contract.

 

We've asked the Brewers to give us a hint as to his background, as there really is no record of any R. Gomez who pitched during 2003, including Latin leagues. Feel free to hunt until we update your further.

[hsvstarsfan]

The entire list is on Baseball America's site, but I'm tracking former Southern Leaguers as they get snapped up by new teams during the off season

 

www.starsboxscore.com

[MassBrew]

Regarding RHP Ricardo Gomez:

 

As squarepusher found for his player profile page, Gomez is listed at a slender 6'2", 165, and will be 26 next June.

 

We've learned from the Brewers that Gomez was in the Yankees' system. It seems he spent time at Staten Island in 2000 and 2001. For the last two years, he's pitched overseas, although we don't have details on the where's and how's.

 

Perhaps he's another starter slated to compete for a spot in Huntsville, while serving his offseason roster time with the Mavs.

 

Not sure how the signing came about, but it is a pretty unique signing based on Gomez's overseas activity the past two seasons.

 

Outside the box doesn't always help, but it rarely hurts (Takahito Nomura aside...)

[Al the Thinking Man]

I believe the proper term is, if you throw enough longshots against a wall, sooner or later, one of them will stick.

 

I think it's great that the Crew is scouring indy leagues and overseas for these kids, as they are low risk and shows they are open to doing whatever it takes.

 

It reminds me of the Kerry Lightenberg story...former catcher Greg Olson was managing him in an indy league somewhere in MN, and he called the Twins and said, "I got a guy that can play." He was told, and I quote, "We don't sign guys from independent leagues". Olson called the Braves, and they got a decent arm for some equipment and baseballs, if memory serves.

 

I wish we'd sign a couple players from each indy league, as it can't hurt, it'd be cheap, and at the very least, these guys are "battlers" who'll never complain about a 4 hour bus trip.

[MassBrew]

The young (17 year-old) South African infielder, Jonathan Phillips, has been removed from the Arizona Brewer roster on the Brewers' own site. Until we see an official transaction, we'll go on the assumption that he was released, which is normally the case when a name is removed this time of year. Given Phillips' home country, it's possible he left on his own -- we'll probably find out down the road.

 

Phillips' 2003 numbers:

 

www.baseballamerica.com/c...ips%2C+jon

 

Of course, we hope this wasn't all due to the hard time we gave Phillips' about his Dodger visor:

 

pub123.ezboard.com/fbrewe...1784.topic

[MassBrew]

Infielder Trent Durrington signed to a AAA deal, from the Angels' system:

 

www.indyindians.com/press...07b03.html

 

Trent Durrington Career Numbers:

A very nice 2003, could squueze in comfortably at 2B or 3B with the Tribe...

 

www.sports-wired.com/play...sp?ID=5200

 

2003 Detailed Numbers from BA:

 

www.baseballamerica.com/c...durrington

 

Along with Helena RHP Simon Beresford, the only Aussies in the organization for now...

[MassBrew]

Hey, any site could list Trent Durrington statistics for you. Only at Brewerfan will you learn why Trent can be mentioned along with Survivor Africa's Lindsey and even indirectly with Tawny Kitaen.

 

www.survivornews.net/snn....s3_lindsey

 

and

 

espn.go.com/page2/s/caple/020424.html

 

Can you tell it's Friday? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[gregmag]

A utility IF who will take a walk? God bless him . . .

 

Nice to see Ford and Childers back as well.

 

Greg.

[MassBrew]

Nice to see Ford and Childers back as well.

 

Certainly didn't mean to short-shrift them, but their signings had been known for some time, and were covered in detail in the lengthy Transactions thread for August / September.

[Al the Thinking Man]

I'm disappointed we signed this journeyman when our own younger journeyman, Pich Paz was available.

 

And how exactly does the guy spend parts of '99 and '00 in ANA, but 2003 was his first extended AAA stint?

[950opsLHcatcher]

Durrington is a very good signing, IMO. He's better than Paz in that he's faster, and that he has more pop. He's basically as good at the OBP thing... probably a better contact hitter and probably slightly worse with the eye. Better arm in the outfield too, though they are both average defenders wherever. Digging way back, in 2000, Sickles said that Durrington could hit about .250 with some "oomph" in the majors, and obviously steal a few bases. Hasn't worked out great in the majors so far, but Trent could be a guy to watch. Great player to replace Paz with.

[MassBrew]

The Brewers have added a new name to their Helena roster, posted at their web site:

 

RHP Jorge Fermin, 6'3", 175, 18 years old (9/23/85)

 

We likely won't have any additional information on Fermin until the spring. It's not like the Arizona roster is maxxed out, so the placement on the Helena squad is a bit odd. Of course, it's not like that assignment is set in stone for next season.

 

While I'm pretty sure that Fermin is a Latin American "find", it may not be 100% safe to say that for sure. The name of former Arizona Brewer first baseman Ricky Pijuan came up in a similar manner last December. We assumed he was a Latin kid, and it turned out he was California born and bred.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/embarassed.gif

[MassBrew]

According to mlb.com, The Brewers have signed three additional minor league free agents to AAA Indianapolis contracts. As of this moment, we're not aware if major league spring training invites have been extended. In the case of catcher Chris Coste, an invite is likely -- there's always a need for backstops in camp.

 

Catcher Chris Coste will be 31 in February. He spent three productive seasons in Cleveland's farm system after toiling for four years in independent league ball. Injury cut short his 2003 season with the Red Sox, but he managed an .816 OPS in 2002. He certainly appears to be Indianapolis' starting catcher for now.

 

Chris Coste career numbers:

 

www.sports-wired.com/play...?Name=EJIC

 

26-year-old switch-hitting outfielder Chris Magruder is a former 2nd round pick of the Giants ('98 ). When viewing career numbers from the linked "Baseball Cube" web site, keep in mind that numbers like OBP are incorrect based on early years when that information was not available.

 

Chris Magruder career numbers:

 

www.sports-wired.com/play....asp?ID=44

 

Outfielder Jacob Cruz will be 31 in January. When you review his long career path here, many of you will refresh yourselves with your knowledge of him:

 

Jacob Cruz career numbers:

 

www.sports-wired.com/play...?Name=BAJF

 

The Indianapolis squad is looking to be a slap-happy bunch for 2004. The outfield consists now of Ryan Knox, Pete Zoccolillo, Magruder and Cruz. Steve Scarborough, Trent Durrington and Coste are the other position players under contract. Where is Izzy Alcantara these days, anyway?

 

No doubt there will be an Indianapolis press release down the road on these signings, and we'll dig up a bit more on these three later on.

[squarepusher]

Brewerfan.net Player Profiles:

(with complete stats and photos)

 

Jacob Cruz:

www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=623

 

Chris Magruder:

www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=622

 

Chris Coste:

www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=621

[Al the Thinking Man]

Coste is a very good signing. I would assume the other two are nothing but filler, but Cruz has spent a decent amount of time in the bigs, and I've heard of Magruder.

 

EDIT: Magruder may well have an outside shot at a roster spot, if he gets a chance. He's young and has solid AAA numbers.

 

Also Brian, Cruz is listed at 10 lbs.

[squarepusher]

Magruder's a corner OF who was with the Texas system. How soon will it be until we see the all-former-Texas-scrapheap OF?

 

After the Podsednik waiver claim, I feel optimistic.

[Al the Thinking Man]

If the stats I see for Magruder are accurate, as a switch-hitting 27 year-old who has very respectable AAA numbers, he might well have been the best minor league FA corner OF out there.

 

I think all three of these fellas were coveted. None are likely to be Pods types "breakouts"...but who is? I'd say Magruder is an excellent example of what to look for, a younger guy who has produced, but never got much of a chance in the bigs.

[MassBrew]

Definitely rooting for a guy like Chris Coste -- check out this website on Coste the author -- there's a lot of Jim Rushford-esque perseverence in this tale:

 

www.chriscoste.com/index.html

 

If you didn't stop by while visiting his site, the bio page is a must-read:

 

www.chriscoste.com/biography.html

 

Squarepusher, definitely sounds like a guy who might be willing to spend some time talking with Brewerfan; I'm sure we could push the books here as well (excerpts, links, etc.). I wouldn't mind tracking down a copy for off-season reading.

 

Nice job on the six-year free agent front by the Crew thus far. Perusing the wires, they've been as active as any organization. I can't imagine an agent ignoring the opportunities signing with the Brewers might provide for their client.

[igor67]

What kind of defense does Coste have? With that fairly proliffic batting average it's easy to see how he could work his way onto the team and be a solid member. Kind of reminds me of Casanova, The biggest potential difference being that Casanova wasn't a very good defensive catcher so he looked pretty worthless when the hits didn't fall in.

[Al the Thinking Man]

It would seem obvious Coste is no Brad Ausmus with the glove. He reminds me a lot of Tom Wilson, who waited for decades for a chance, until he was rescued by Beane/JP.

 

All 3 are very capable of being on the 25 man next April. Unlikely we'd see all 3, of course, but any could easily make it. Cruz is a LH Brady Clark; Coste hits like a replacement level 1B, but catches; and McGruder is a couple years from being a legit Top 10 prospect.

[DuWayne Steurer]

All 3 of these guys look like really solid signings. Like Al said I could see any one of them in Milwaukee next year. Magruder's my sleeper to make the roster. I could see him being a very servicable 5th OF. Sure , he hasn't done much in his 300 + big league at bats, but hey.

[baseballfan101]

Does anyone know what happened to Matt Childers? I was hoping he would return next year.

[MassBrew]

Matt Childers is on the 40-man and is also out of options, we believe. If he does not make the big league bullpen next April, he'd have to be outrighted off the 40-man, could be claimed, and even if he were not, could choose to accept free agency.