Image from Hubble Advent Calendar, Day 7
The Rays announced that they’ve signed four players to minor league contracts “with invitations to Spring Training.” They are infielder Matt Mangini, first baseman Juan Miranda, and pitchers Jhonny Nunez and Ricky Orta.
Given the Rays’ concerns about first base, it’s probably fair to say that these guys will get some playing time in Spring Training, but end up with the Bulls. What we don’t know, and won’t for a long time, is who among these has an opt-out contract and could disappear mid-season.
Mangini has a good bit of time in AAA, but only played in 68 games in 2011, 10 with Seattle (injured?). Almost all of his time has been at 3B, and the Bulls usually need a third baseman. Will have to dig and see what problem was in 2011.
Juan Miranda has plenty of time at 1B in the majors and in AAA with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for most of 2008-2010. He got a fair amount of playing time with the Diamondbacks last year, but he’s about to age out (28). Major League stats, minor league stats.
Depending on their contracts, seems to me that J.J. Furmaniak and Leslie Anderson have the most to worry about with these two signings.
We’ve looked at Jhonny Nunez.
Ricky Orta is recovering from surgery in early 2010. Bet we see him in a Bulls uniform later in 2012 ... if the surgery worked.
Posts
FYI: Ray Olmedo signed a minor league deal with the White Sox. So, I guess we will see him in town a few times.
ReplyDeleteHad not seen that. Thanks. Have to wish Ray well and hope that he has a great year ... except when playing the Bulls, of course. Reminds me that I need to start keeping track of the 2011 Bulls' status.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I left out that Matt Mangini is a local lad, Apex High School grad. Will do a separate piece on him in a couple of days.
Matt Moore signed to an 8 year $40M deal reportedly. Rumors circulating about Shields being traded, so who knows what's in store for us, but good for Matt.
ReplyDelete