Minor League Transactions: Jan. 28-Feb. 3
Transactions involving minor league players, i.e. those not on 40-man rosters, for the period Jan. 28-Feb. 3. All transactions conveyed to Baseball America by Major League Baseball.
Atlanta Braves
Signed: LHP Rex Brothers (released by Cubs, March 10)
Removed from 40-man: OF Adam Brett Walker (outrighted to Triple-A)
The Twins selected Jacksonville corner outfielder Adam Brett Walker in the third round of the 2012 draft, and he claimed league home run titles in his first four pro seasons—Appalachian (2012), Midwest (2013), Florida State (2014) and Southern (2015)—before finishing runner-up in the Triple-A International League in 2016 with 27 homers. Walker’s strikeout rate has spiraled as he has climbed the ladder, however, and he led all minor league batters in strikeouts in both 2015 and 2016. Thus the Twins never called him up despite adding him to the 40-man roster after the 2015 season.
The new Minnesota front office didn’t waste time designating Walker for assignment in November, and he has touched down in three new organizations this offseason as each one attempted to sneak him through waivers (and off the 40-man roster). The Braves succeeded in doing so in January after failed attempts by the Brewers in November and the Orioles in December.
Chicago Cubs
Signed: RHP Williams Perez (released by Braves, Dec. 8)
Traded: RHP James Farris and 2016-17 international bonus slot one ($563,700) to Rockies for RHP Eddie Butler and 2016-17 international bonus slot three ($351,900)
Forbidden from signing any international amateurs for more than $300,000 in the current signing period, the Cubs traded their top bonus slot to the Rockies for righthander Eddie Butler, a 2012 supplemental first-round pick. He hasn’t been the same since suffering a shoulder injury and tinkering with his mechanics in 2014, and in 157 career innings at Triple-A he has allowed a 5.03 ERA with just 4.3 strikeouts per nine.
Chicago White Sox
Signed: OF Peter Bourjos
Cincinnati Reds
Signed: 3B Zach Walters
Cleveland Indians
Signed: C Adam Moore (re-signed)
Removed from 40-man: 3B Richie Shaffer (outrighted to Triple-A)
A Rays first-round pick out of Clemson in 2012, Richie Shaffer has been involved in four transactions this offseason, the latest of which removed him from the Indians’ 40-man roster following an outright assignment. The Mariners, Phillies and Reds had previously attempted to sneak him through waivers.
Colorado Rockies
Signed: C Elvin Soto (Sussex County (Can-Am)), SS Wilson Soriano (re-signed)
Traded: RHP Eddie Butler and 2016-17 international bonus slot three ($351,900) to Cubs for RHP James Farris and 2016-17 international bonus slot one ($563,700)
The Rockies added $211,800 in international bonus-pool money in the trade that surrenders 2012 supplemental first-rounder Eddie Butler.
Los Angeles Angels
Signed: RHP Bud Norris (released by Dodgers, Sept. 28)
Los Angeles Dodgers
Placed on inactive list: SS Damaso Marte Jr.
Minnesota Twins
Signed: OF Josh Romanski (Winnipeg (American Association)), 3B Tom Belza
The Twins signed 30-year-old Josh Romanski as an outfielder following two big seasons in the independent American Association in 2014 and 2016. The Brewers made him a fourth-round pick in 2008 out of San Diego, and he spent virtually all of his time in affiliated ball—he also played in the Yankees and White Sox systems—on the mound as a lefthanded pitcher.
St. Louis Cardinals
Signed: LHP Jordan Schafer, LHP Daniel Schlereth (released by Blue Jays, June 30), C Gabriel Lino
San Diego Padres
Voluntarily retired: LHP Elier Sanchez
San Francisco Giants
Released: SS Ramiro Pena
The Giants released 31-year-old utility infielder Ramiro Pena so that he could sign with Hiroshima in Japan.
Seattle Mariners
Removed from 40-man: RHP Jonathan Aro, C Jesus Sucre (both players outrighted to Triple-A)
Tampa Bay Rays
Signed: RHP Cory Rasmus
Texas Rangers
Signed: LHP Wesley Wright (released by Red Sox, July ), OF Michael O’Neill (released by Yankees, Dec. 16)
Toronto Blue Jays
Signed: RHP Lucas Harrell, SS Jonathan Diaz, SS Gregorio Petit (non-tendered by Angels)
Washington Nationals
Signed: RHP Matt Albers, RHP Joe Nathan, RHP Vance Worley, 2B Grant Green
Comments are closed.