Rounding up the latest minor league deals….
- The Mariners have signed catcher Jose Lobaton to a minor league deal, as per the Mariners Minors Twitter feed. Lobaton will earn $1MM if he makes Seattle’s big league roster, MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo adds, and the catcher will invited to the team’s Major League spring camp. Lobaton amassed 57 PA over 22 games with the Mets last season, his lowest total in either category since 2011. The 34-year-old veteran will head into camp to compete with David Freitas for the backup job behind newly-acquired Omar Narvaez.
- The White Sox have signed infielder Ryan Goins to a minor league contract, MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo tweets. The deal contains an invitation to Chicago’s big league Spring Training camp, and Goins will earn at least $975K in guaranteed money if he reaches the majors. Goins has never hit much over six years with the Blue Jays and Royals, though he has flashed an excellent shortstop glove in the past and offers depth at short, second base, and third base.
- The Reds have re-signed outfielder/first baseman Jordan Patterson and catcher Juan Graterol to minor league deals, and also inked shortstop Christian Colon to a minors pact, the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Bobby Nightengale reports (Twitter link). Patterson and Graterol are back with the organization after being non-tendered last week. Colon was the fourth overall pick of the 2010 draft but hasn’t turned that potential into Major League production, with just a .252/.315/.315 slash line over 386 PA with the Royals and Marlins from 2014-17, though he did earn a World Series ring for his postseason role with the 2015 Royals. He spent 2018 in the Braves and Mets organizations at the Triple-A level, and Colon does have a decent career slash line (.289/.358/.397) over 1833 career Triple-A plate appearances.
I like Lobaton. When we saw him play in Toronto as a visitor a few years ago, I called him “Lobaton, robot catcher!” My godson did not approve. I cannot figure out why, as my boy LOVES robots.
I also liked Graterol. When the Jays signed him a while back, I bought my boy his card. Graterol didn’t stay long but…every team needs guys like that to back the regulars so the prospects can start (and mature) in AAA.
Signing Ryan Goins to minor league contract may be no more than insurance. But it may also indicate teams are asking CWS about Tim Anderson.
If we deal TA with the hope of landing Machado, but then get outbid for Manny, there is a fall-back plan in place.
patterson is back! great addition, can help when votto gets hurt