Minor moves: Yankees add three players on minor league deals
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jan 31, 2013 
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From the fine folks at Baseball America, the latest minor league transactions include three signings for the Yankees.
LHP Josh Romanski
Spent the past three years in the Yankees organization, filling holes in bullpens and rotations from Low-A to Double-A. Romanski had a terrific year in 2011 — 2.97 ERA between Tampa and Trenton — but injury problems held him to just 36 innings last season. Romanski went to Puerto Rico for winter ball and pitched well (seven starts, 2.83 ERA, one nine-inning, three-hit shutout).
RHP Chris Smith
Signed out of the Frontier League, the move was actually announced by Smith’s independent league team last week. He went 9-6 with a 2.92 ERA and 116 strikeouts 19 starts last season, then he went to the Australian winter league and pitched to a 2.31 ERA through nine starts. , with a 2.92 ERA and 116 strikeouts. He’s 24 years old and the numbers are good. Should help fill a mid-level rotation spot if nothing else.
SS Leugim Barroso
How many baseball players named Leugim Barroso could there be? I assume this has to be this Cuban infielder. He played in the States last year, hitting .317/.345/.364 with two different independent league teams. He rarely struck out and rarely walked. I obviously don’t know much about guy. Sounds like organizational filler who might have some ability to work with.
A few other names you’ll recognize from this week’s minor league transactions: RHP Andrew Brackman signed with the White Sox, RHP Manny Delcarmen signed with the Orioles, OF Greg Golson signed with the Rockies, RHP Chad Qualls landed with the Marlins and OF Shelley Duncan signed with the Rays (but we already knew that).
So Melky Barroso is still available?
Not the Cuban SS I was hoping for.
Speaking of…
Cuban defector and SS Aledmys Diaz draws mild interest from Tigers: http://www.freep.com/article/2.....dyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports
By the way – did anyone see the pics from the Venezuelan WS of Kung Fu Panda? It looks like he’s been eating since the WS ended – guy is bigger than Prince at the hot corner.
SF Giants get: Curtis Granderson
NYY get: Brandon Belt, Connor Gillaspie (3b), Hector Sanchez (c)
Putting on some fat might be A-Rod’s best defense against steroid accusations.
or get Susac instead of Sanchez
Rich in NJ January 31st, 2013 at 7:50 pm
Putting on some fat might be A-Rod’s best defense against steroid accusations.
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Being smart enough to not use your own name when ordering steroids might be A-Rod’s best defense against steroid accusations.
Isn’t Diaz still being investigated for age fraud?
Repost
yankeefeminista says:
January 31, 2013 at 7:45 pm
Flores had a great start in AA last year but I wouldn’t overvalue his stats esp at home with the Trenton Park suppressing hits/SLG.
“Being smart enough to not use your own name when ordering steroids might be A-Rod’s best defense against steroid accusations.”
Yeah, I think it’s possible that he isn’t that stupid. So I still think there is a chance that the reports are bs.
Seriously – you’re Alex Rodriguez – you have more money than God and all the apostles; you don’t have the forethought to:
a) pay for your drugs in cash
b) have your doc put you down with an assumed name
c) rent a PO Box and have them shipped there
d) slip a buddy a couple of dollars to go pick them up for you
I haven’t heard an update in a few days.. they’re probably still looking into it, but no new developments yet.
GB7 would be happy to see Romanski back in the fold.
Rich in NJ January 31st, 2013 at 7:58 pm
“Being smart enough to not use your own name when ordering steroids might be A-Rod’s best defense against steroid accusations.”
Yeah, I think it’s possible that he isn’t that stupid. So I still think there is a chance that the reports are bs.
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Oh I have no problem believing he’s that stupid. It’s the same thought process that has these guys thinking that they can cheat on their wives and girlfriends and not get caught.
Alex has never watched The Wire.
And it may have led to his downfall.
this was regarding Diaz, btw:
Shame Spencer January 31st, 2013 at 7:59 pm
I haven’t heard an update in a few days.. they’re probably still looking into it, but no new developments yet.
“Oh I have no problem believing he’s that stupid. It’s the same thought process that has these guys thinking that they can cheat on their wives and girlfriends and not get caught.”
Except, at least to some (not me!), women are replaceable. You’re reputation isn’t.
I’ve seen Alex at press conferences; he has as much trouble processing simple questions as I did trying to understand why people thought District 9 was a good movie.
btw, Chip, you advice reminds of times during my college days (from stories other people told me, not though personal experience…)
Rich in NJ January 31st, 2013 at 8:01 pm
“Oh I have no problem believing he’s that stupid. It’s the same thought process that has these guys thinking that they can cheat on their wives and girlfriends and not get caught.”
Except, at least to some (not me!), women are replaceable. You’re reputation isn’t.
————————
Yeah but I truly believe Alex and the others are dumb enough/arrogant enough to think that they’re not going to get caught.
Remember, the ability to hit and catch does not mean that you’re particularly bright.
Rich in NJ January 31st, 2013 at 8:03 pm
btw, Chip, you advice reminds of times during my college days (from stories other people told me, not though personal experience…)
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I know – an 18-year old frosh knows how to get drugs without getting caught yet ML ball players can’t figure this out.
Drug people I knew turned out to be very successful.
Rich in NJ January 31st, 2013 at 8:07 pm
Drug people I knew turned out to be very successful.
—————–
Alex is very successful and while money can’t buy happiness it does allow you to isolate yourself from the people who think you’re a douche.
“Alex is very successful and while money can’t buy happiness it does allow you to isolate yourself from the people who think you’re a douche.”
I was just pointing out a counterfactual to the common view of drug people, of course, I was talking about pot, not some nefarious substance.
There’s a flip side to this. A-Rod has probably lived most of his life finding it tough to distinguish between people who really liked him, and people who were trying to exploit him because of his obvious talent. I think that can distort a young person’s values and perceptions.
I don’t mean that as an excuse, because as I have said, I don’t believe there are excuses in life, but it may help explain why he has made some bad choices.
You know those Dove commercials…. The “I am comfortable in my own skin” ones…..I think Alex is basically not one of those guys.
Rich,
My guess is that Alex is probably the most insecure person in sports today. That’s probably why a guy as talented as he is felt the need to cheat.
Peter Gammons loves to tell a story about seeing Alex in the clubhouse after a game where he knocked the crap out of the ball asking people if they thought his swing was ok because he had struck out in one of the at bats….
…or it could be that he’s just a douche.
So, here’s my projected lineup for Scranton (because I know you were all waiting for it)
C – Bobby Wilson
1b – Dan Johnson
2b – CoJo
3b – Adams
SS – Eduardo Nunez
LF – Melky Mesa
CF – Abe Almonte
RF – Zoilo Almonte
DH – Juan Rivera (I think Matt Diaz will opt out of his contract)
Bench: Cervelli, Maruszak, Thomas Neal, Gil Velazquez
dont be surprised if nunez ends up playing as many games at 3b as youkilis.
Ys Guy says:
January 31, 2013 at 8:43 pm
dont be surprised if nunez ends up playing as many games at 3b as youkilis.
Don’t be surprised if the Yanks are making tee times in early October
And good for Cito Culver getting the invite to big league camp – - – -
He has taken a bunch &^%$ from the excel spreadsheet lohud crowd – go Cito – - – -
I would hope that at least one of Nunez and Youkilis could hit RH pitching this season. If not, it doesn’t matter who plays more games at 3B.
I think there’s a better chance that Nunez is traded then playing 3b on a regular basis – kid can’t field.
They’ll sooner go with Mustellier, Nix or Canzler.
Ben Kabak from his A-Rod chat at RAB:
“…I think nothing. He serves his time on the DL. He returns mid-season. For now, MLB will need to dig up a bit more corroborating evidence to even consider a suspension.”
Pretty much what some of us have said.
I think Arod will be either traded or bought out before July 31
I think the Yankees give him his walking papers.
They have to know that the odds of him playing out all five years are slim to none; so the question now is: Does Alex give you enough production to justify the crap storm? I think Hal, Randy and Cash will say “no” and just release him.
$114m for doing nothing, blake? Why should he take any less?
Go Cito, sure, but I don’t know why he is getting invited to camp.
If Alex gets healthy enough to play….and will save his no trade then I think the Yanks could move him assuming they’d eat the majority of the contract.
Alex still pretty good last year before Felix broke his wrist…..and my guess is a team would take a flyer if the Yanks made him affordable …..to me that’s better than straight buying him out….you save a little money perhaps that way
Rich in NJ says:
January 31, 2013 at 9:12 pm
$114m for doing nothing, blake? Why should he take any less?
He wouldn’t ….if they buy him out then they can’t reduce the amount…only defer payment….which is why I think they will try their darndest to trade him after the smoke clears and he’s closer to returning
I wouldn’t read much into the Culver invite – anymore than I do the Higashoka one – they just need bodies for drills.
mick January 31st, 2013 at 6:45 pm
The competition for the RH DH will be interesting.
Might be they would want Rivera to make it but Diaz is also a strong possibility.
Canzler is a darkhorse and Mustelliar is on the outside looking in.
Nunez will certainly lose AB’s…
—
Unless they want to do some stress reduction with Jeter and play him at DH vs lhp and have Nunez play SS.
Plus, one of those guys is the rh OF vs lhp, can’t dh at the same time.
blake January 31st, 2013 at 9:13 pm
If Alex gets healthy enough to play….and will save his no trade then I think the Yanks could move him assuming they’d eat the majority of the contract.
Alex still pretty good last year before Felix broke his wrist…..and my guess is a team would take a flyer if the Yanks made him affordable …..to me that’s better than straight buying him out….you save a little money perhaps that way
—————-
A) I don’t think Alex would accept a trade
B) I don’t think there’s a team out there that would take Alex’s baggage
Best you could possibly hope for is the Yankees and Angels working out a deal and the Yankees taking back Vernon Wells and the difference between the two contracts.
I hope that if they trade (which I think is the only realistic way to sever ties), there are at least some baseball-realted considerations. Otherwise, it’s just another move that makes them weaker on the field, and they don’t have the assets (financial or player personnel) to compensate, especially without any real luxury tax benefit.
Stoneburner – The Return of Wax January 31st, 2013 at 8:47 pm
And good for Cito Culver getting the invite to big league camp – – – -
He has taken a bunch &^%$ from the excel spreadsheet lohud crowd – go Cito – – – -
————
He’s taken a bunch of ish because the Yankees drafted him in a round that many thought was a reach and he has a noodle for a bat. Josh McDaniels drafted Tebow early. That among other moves cost him his job. When you make a reach like that you have to be right about that player.
jacksquat January 31st, 2013 at 9:17 pm
mick January 31st, 2013 at 6:45 pm
The competition for the RH DH will be interesting.
Might be they would want Rivera to make it but Diaz is also a strong possibility.
Canzler is a darkhorse and Mustelliar is on the outside looking in.
Nunez will certainly lose AB’s…
—
Unless they want to do some stress reduction with Jeter and play him at DH vs lhp and have Nunez play SS.
Plus, one of those guys is the rh OF vs lhp, can’t dh at the same time.
——————–
I think they’ll value the defensive versatility of Mustellier and Canzler over Diaz and Rivera. That’s also the reason I think Nix makes the team over Nunez.
“A) I don’t think Alex would accept a trade
B) I don’t think there’s a team out there that would take Alex’s baggage”
If they Yanks make it clear to him that they want to move in then he might….it’s to a point now where it would be best for both parties to get a fresh start I think …..and also I think certainly there is a team that’d take Alex if he’s healthy and the Yanks paid most of the freight…..heck Oakland signed Colon back after he failed a drug test for them last year….
I think Cash should call Alex in after all the investigations And stuff are over and say look man……it might just be better for both of us to say goodbye and move on….gimmi a list of a few teams you’d consider going to and I’ll see what I can do and you can start fresh in a new town
Alex has a lot more baggage than Colon
and I think that if the Yankees told Alex that they wanted him gone he would say “fine, release me and I’m gone.”
“it might just be better for both of us to say goodbye and move on”
It would be best if both said goodbye and moved on from the Yankees.
The problem is that as a player I don’t think Alex has any value. And any value he might have is clearly outweighed by the lightning rod he has become. A contending team isn’t going to want the disruption he brings into the clubhouse.
This was probably mentioned already but they’re having an all Arod chat over at RAB
More seriously, I think A-Rod will remain here because the Yankees won’t eat what it takes to move him or buy him out. If he can physically play, I think he is here for a while.
Rich -
The last thing you want is for Cashman to leave. If he does, the next GM will be a puppet for Levine much like how Luccino replaced Theo with Cherrington. Given Levine’s lack of baseball IQ and his desire to show himself as a latter day George, you can rest assured that in that scenario we’ll be seeing Cano get a 10 year contract and trades like Gary Sanchez for Ryan Howard.
Chip
While I agree, it would probably be Eppler, I can’t live life that way. I have to hope for better, smarter, days ahead. Besides, I think Cashman is starting to show some puppet strings. So it may not matter at this point. Yes, Randy is in charge right now.
Chip says:
January 31, 2013 at 9:34 pm
The problem is that as a player I don’t think Alex has any value. And any value he might have is clearly outweighed by the lightning rod he has become. A contending team isn’t going to want the disruption he brings into the clubhouse.
Alex had like the best 3B OPS in the AL before he got hurt
Rich in NJ January 31st, 2013 at 9:46 pm
Chip
While I agree, it would probably be Eppler, I can’t live life that way. I have to hope for better, smarter, days ahead. Besides, I think Cashman is starting to show some puppet strings. So it may not matter at this point. Yes, Randy is in charge right now.
————
That’s the problem with having weak ownership – power abhors a vacuum and Randy’s the most senior guy around.
I think Cashman is trying to hang onto the long term future of the team; if Levine takes total control you can forget about it.
Blake -
He was on steroids again last year. Has likely been on them for the last 10 years. I don’t think a team is going to give a flying fig about what his OPS was.
“He was on steroids again last year. Has likely been on them for the last 10 years. I don’t think a team is going to give a flying fig about what his OPS was.”
Allegedly …and it was HGH not steroids.
Rich,
In my ideal scenario the Yankees dismiss both Cashman and Levine, bring in someone from outside the organization who can look at everything with a set of unbiased eyes and make the changes, both in terms of players and development personnel that need to be made.
Preferably this person would be someone who has experience with an organization that has a strong minor league program.
Alex had like the best 3B OPS in the AL before he got hurt
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Key words-before he got hurt. Now he has had surgery on both hips and is old. He probably will never be the same and is owed big bucks. And will be a big distraction. And took PEDs. What team wants that.
He will be booed like never before when he is puts on the Yankee uniform. I think Yankee fans have had enough of him.
I hear you, Chip, but Levine is probably the opposite of leaving.
jacksquat January 31st, 2013 at 9:13 pm
Go Cito, sure, but I don’t know why he is getting invited to camp.
_________________________________
Why shouldn’t he? Maybe the hitting coaches in big leagiue camp can work with him and try to help him with his swing mechanics or maybe suggest he give up the switch hitting thing and concentrate on his natural side, righty. Guy has an outstanding glove from what I hear. If he can hit a little better, you might have something
Also glad to see Adonis Garcia get an invote to camp. Hes already 26. Yanks need to see what he can do.