Here's the roundup of today's minor transactions, with the latest moves at the top of the page…
- The Seibu Lions have announced the signings of infielder Cody Ransom, right-hander Michael Bowden and left-handers Randy Williams and Porfirio Lopez (passed on by NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman). Seibu also annnounced the signing of righty Greg Reynolds, which we heard about yesterday.
- The Tigers signed left-hander Duane Below to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite, MLive.com's James Schmehl reports (Twitter link). Below is back in Detroit after being designated for assignment last April, and he also pitched for the Marlins' Triple-A affiliate and for Korea's Kia Tigers in 2013. Below posted a 4.27 ERA, 2.14 K/BB rate and 5.2 K/9 over 78 Major League innings with the Tigers.
- The Cubs have signed outfielder Mitch Maier to a minor league contract with a Spring Training invitation, the team announced. Maier spent 2013 with the Red Sox Triple-A affiliate and posted an .882 OPS, though he only received 137 PA due to a wrist injury. Maier, 31, was drafted by the Royals with the 30th overall pick of the 2003 draft and he hit .253/.332/.346 over 1043 PA with Kansas City from 2006-11.
- The Rangers have signed right-hander Daniel McCutchen to a minor league deal, according to the Sosnick/Cobbe Sports' Twitter feed (McCutchen's agents). McCutchen posted a 3.43 ERA, 8.1 K/9 and 3.60 K/BB rate over 60 1/3 combined innings for the Orioles' Double-A and Triple-A affiliates, though his season didn't begin untl late May due to a 50-game suspension for a failed PED test. The 31-year-old Texas native has a career 4.77 ERA over 188 2/3 IP with the Pirates from 2009-12.
- The Orioles signed righty Fabio Castillo to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite, the team announced. Though Castillo doesn't turn 25 until February, he already has eight years of pro baseball under his belt, posting a 4.63 ERA, 8.3 K/9 and 2.01 K/BB rate over 514 2/3 IP over his minor league career. Castillo pitched in the Giants' system in 2013 after spending the previous seven years with the Rangers.
Always liked Duane Below. Phil Coke better watch out!!!
Look out Below!
Good one!!
Just to be fair, Below’s BAA for his career against RHH is .265, against LHH is .295. For Coke, it is .298 against RHH, .241 against LHH, and in 2013 it was .282/.299.
at least they are keeping it BELOW .300 (I couldn’t help myself there)
My KBO said that Derek Hankins (former Tiger) is also returning from playing in Korea & signed w/ the Tigers as well.
Fabio w(f)ill finally b(f)e fabulous for the O(f)rioles!! =P
my first reaction: What is McCutchen doing in the Minor Moves…. DOO! More than one McCutchen in this world
2 McCutchens
1) Pittsburgh Pirates Center Fielder Andrew McCutchen. (All-Star Player)
2) Daniel McCutchen (Minor League Drug User)
Ahhh the McCutchen Brothers..
Thought i read about the Below deal on dec 11th
December 1th? I thought I heard about it on December 2th?
Or it might of been December 3th.
So Rangers have signed McCutchen and Tanaka over the period of 2 days?!? Nice!
I see what you did there. First story Lions. Second story Tigers. Third story Bears (Cubs). Nicely done.
Mildly shocked about Greg Reynolds leaving the states. He seemed like he was on the verge of breaking out last year.