Brewer Minor League Free Agents After the 2013 Season

[Jim Goulart]

First of all, thanks to Chris (Minigoon) who collaborates each year with me on this list.

 

Following is a list of players who are free to leave the organization five days after the World Series when minor league free agency begins. These players and the Brewers could agree to sign an additional one-year minor league deal to extend the relationship. Or the Brewers could add the player to the 40-man roster, thus extending the "ownership" of the player.

 

A player who has exhausted all seven years of his original minor league affiliation to the organization that signed him is eligible. Here are the Brewers farmhands who have been with the organization for their full commitment (or even longer in the case of Mark Rogers, Taylor Green, Tim Dillard, Anderson De la Rosa, and Brock Kjeldgaard). We've been following these guys their whole pro careers.

 

UPDATED AS THE OFFSEASON MOVES ALONG --

 

C Anderson De La Rosa (signed in August 2003, has already been "extended" three times) - signed with Angels

RHP Tim Dillard (well, whole career minus a brief indy league sojourn to begin 2013)

IF Taylor Green - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014, also a big league camp invite

OF Brock Kjeldgaard Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014

RHP Santo Manzanillo - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014

C/3B Joey Paciorek - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014

RHP Mark Rogers - signed with Mariners

RHP R.J. Seidel - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014

 

Other potential (and likely) free agents:

 

IF Ozzie Chavez

IF Blake Davis

RHP Frankie De La Cruz

C/3B Robinzon Diaz - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014, also a big league camp invite

IF Hector Gomez - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014, also a big league camp invite

LHP Zach Kroenke

LHP Aaron Laffey - Signed with Orioles

C/1B Blake Lalli - signed with Diamondbacks

RHP Arcenio Leon - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014

RHP Johnnie Lowe - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014

LHP Chris Narveson - Elected early minor league free agency on 10/2 - signed to play in Japan

RHP/OF Micah Owings

IF/OF Eric Patterson - Released

RHP Josh Ravin - signed with Dodgers

RHP Jesus Sanchez - signed with Marlins

IF/OF Hainley Statia - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014

OF Rene Tosoni

IF/OF Eugenio Velez - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014, also a big league camp invite

LHP Travis Webb

 

If you believe a player is listed in error or have an addition, let us know. We believe we're close, but don't claim to be 100% accurate.

[Jim Goulart]

Once a player's original affiliated contract is terminated, should a player then subsequently be signed by the Brewers, the deal is normally signed to cover the remaining years left until minor league free agency is earned. So if a player spent four seasons with another organziation and was then released or acquired via trade, the Brewers would sign that player to a contract worded in such a way that the Brewers would retain rights to the player over the next three seasons.

 

For instance, Nashville 3B Stephen Parker is in his 5th year of pro ball. The Brewers acquired Parker this spring from the Athletics (for RHP Darren Byrd). The Brewers still own Parker's rights for his 6th and 7th pro seasons as well (players qualify for minor league free agent eligibility after seven pro seasons).

[Jim Goulart]

Feel free to post your predictions here, but I don't believe any of the players listed above will be added to the Brewers 40-man roster in order to guarantee their services are retained.

 

You'd think the Brewers would like to have RHP R.J. Seidel back, the LaCrosse product has flashed some skill this season, and it's been written that the Brewers are keeping an eye on his workload with eyes towards the future.

 

And of course, like potentially Seidel, any number of players could be asked to re-sign for an additional season, but on the surface, doesn't look like it will be many.

 

The players and the players' agents will have to weigh that offer vs. the offers they may see elsewhere, where not only money, but perhaps better opportunity, await. On the other hand, not getting any offer from an affiliated club has to be a pretty scary scenario for some of these vets. If the Brewers can't "hold" offers to extend indefinitely, players could find themselves out in the cold.

 

Might we see RHP Dustin Molleken asked back, since he was just recently signed, and has been lights-out in a fireballing role thus far?

[Jim Goulart]

Please be patient on discussing Rule 5 protection possibilities.

 

That will involve a list of players still under Brewer control for 2014, so it will be a separate thread from this one, and the players listed above won't cross over to that list.

 

We'll have that thread out some time this weekend or next week.

 

***

 

Something to keep in mind is that the initial list here doesn't currently include players who may be dropped from the current 40-man roster immediately after the season ends, and who would have enough service time to qualify for minor league free agency (think candidates like Yuni B.). Nor obviously does it include players who will be free agents on the big league level (Corey Hart, Michael Gonzalez, etc.).

[Jim Goulart]

FYI - Huntsville C Shawn Zarraga and Brevard County RHP Cody Scarpetta were drafted in 2007, but we believe they inked 2008 contracts when they signed at the deadline in August of '07 (neither appeared in a 2007 game). Thus, they won't be free-agent eligible until the fall of 2014.

[TooLiveBrew]

Thanks for putting all the effort in that I'm sure goes into attempting to get these lists right, gentlemen. Much appreciated.

[brewmann04]

Thanks for the list but on the list not upset to lose anyone.

[Minigoon]

I see a couple players I'd like to see back. I think Eugenio Velez can be a helpful player. He can fill that 25th man roster spot in the big leagues or can really help out the AAA team because of all the different positions he can play. Same for Micah Owings. If he can be a 2 way player, that could really help out with roster management. So far, he's doing well on the mound and can't buy a hit at the plate. Brock Kjeldgaard has as much power as anyone in the organization. His defense, arm specifically, has been good. He currently leads Huntsville in walks. The downside, he also leads them in strike outs. Hector Gomez has been mentioned as the best fielding shortstop in the organization. 14 errors though... Still, he was a top prospect recently. He's had some injury and off field issues. I'd like to see him get another year, see if he can get it turned around. He's not blocking anyone either. Anderson De La Rosa seems to have a standing invitation to return. If Dustin Molleken continues to throw the way he has so far, he'd be an interesting arm to bring back.

[Jim Goulart]

Might we see RHP Dustin Molleken asked back, since he was just recently signed, and has been lights-out in a fireballing role thus far?

 

We have removed RHP Dustin Molleken from the potential minor league free agent list above, as we have learned he signed for 2013 and 2014 with the Brewers.

 

Molleken has subsequently been added to the Rule 5 - 40-man roster thread, as unless he is added to the 40-man prior to Rule 5, he'll be eligible to be plucked by another team next December.

[CheezWizHed]

You'd think the Brewers would like to have RHP R.J. Seidel back, the LaCrosse product has flashed some skill this season, and it's been written that the Brewers are keeping an eye on his workload with eyes towards the future.

 

I remember watching highschool highlights of him on the local sports network (I live in the LaCrosse area) and was excited to see the Brewer's draft him. He has gone through so much in the past few years, I never dreamt I would see him at AAA at all, let alone succeeding at AAA.

 

Bravo young man!

[Jim Goulart]

A look at potential minor league free agent R.J. Seidel via Wisconsin Sports Tap

[Jim Goulart]

As per Matt Eddy of Baseball America, the Brewers have re-signed the first of their potential minor league free agents. We've updated the list within the post at the top of this thread to reflect that Huntsville RHP Arcenio Leon (career stats) has signed a minor league deal for 2014 with Milwaukee.

 

***

 

The Brewers claimed the Venezuelan hurler off waivers from the Astros in November 2012. Milwaukee designated Leon for assignment last January in order to clear a 40-man roster space for LHP Mike Gonzalez (ugh). At least the club didn't lose a player after that signing. Leon subsequently cleared waivers, remained in the organization for 2013, and was utterly underwhelming. In 35 games (ten starts) covering 71.1 innings, Leon allowed only 60 hits, but walked 58 while striking out only 41. He finished 2013 with a 5.68 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. Leon turns 27 this weekend (Sunday 9/22).

 

As noted in the top of this thread, there won't be a lot of angst from Brewer diehards amongst the names on the list above. But Arcenio Leon sure seems like an uninspired retention choice.

 

Here was the initial Brewerfan thread on this waiver claim from November 2012. Not much excitement back then, either.

 

***

 

FYI - we've added recent 40-man removals Mark Rogers and Blake Lalli to the top of the thread list.

[Jim Goulart]

Announced by the Brewers, summarized by MLB Trade Rumors

 

The Brewers have re-signed infielders Eugenio Velez and Hector Gomez and catcher Robinzon Diaz to minor league deals with invitations to Spring Training, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Right-hander Arcenio Leon will also receive a minor league deal but is not being invited to big league camp (Twitter links). Velez hit .314/.398/.472 in 434 plate appearances between the Blue Jays' and Brewers' Triple-A affiliates in 2013. Gomez, 25, hit .196/.238/.255 in 406 plate appearances at Double-A. The 29-year-old Diaz hit .302/.335/.433 in 372 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A. Leon, 26, posted a 5.68 ERA with 58 walks and 41 strikeouts in 71 1/3 innings at Double-A. Only Velez has extensive Major League experience.

 

***

 

Jeff Hem spoke with Velez in late August.

 

Nashville's offense really spiked and Huntsville's tanked when hacktastic Robinzon Diaz swapped clubs.

 

Gomez, a cup of coffee big leaguer with the Padres in 2011, will be 26 years old in March. He posted a not-a-misprint .494 OPS in 2013.

 

The initial post in this thread has been updated, and includes player page links.

[Outlander]

I know you are just posting what MLB trade rumors reported but Diaz is 30 and Leon is 27.

[Jim Goulart]

Because they spent partial time on the 40-man roster in 2013, LHP Chris Narveson and C Blake Lalli were eligible to take free agency early (rather than having to wait until five days after the World Series), and they have done so. The initial post has been updated here.

[Jim Goulart]

Taylor Green has been added to the list of players kicking off this thread.

 

"Green, who missed all of 2013 after left hip surgery, has the right to refuse the outright. He could choose to become a free agent five days after the end of the World Series, but general manager Doug Melvin indicated the club would attempt to re-sign Green to a Minor League contract." - McCalvy

 

***

 

Green's pro career began in 2006, so he has enough service time to qualify for minor league free agency.

[Jim Goulart]

As per Matt Eddy of Baseball America, we've updated the detailed initial post in this thread to indicate switch-hitting IF/OF Hainley Statia has re-signed a minor league deal with the Brewers. It will be Statia's 4th year with the Brewers after six in the Angels' system. Statia turns 28 in January and is still hoping to make his big league debut. The Brewers have not announced an invite to big league camp for the Curacao native, although that could change as February nears.

 

Here's a Nashville pre-game audio interview from June via Jeff Hem with Statia.

[Jim Goulart]

C/3B Joey Paciorek - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014

 

Just updated the initial post in this thread, as the Brewers just announced the seven-year farmhand inked a new minor league deal for 2014 just before becoming eligible for free agency.

[Jim Goulart]

So with the Brewers announcing today that Joey Paciorek had re-signed for 2014, we now know which minor league Brewers became free agents tonight. The original list remains posted at the top of this thread, and it breaks down as such -- first those that did re-sign (career stats at links):

 

C/3B Robinzon Diaz - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014, also a big league camp invite

IF Hector Gomez - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014, also a big league camp invite

IF Taylor Green - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014, also a big league camp invite

RHP Arcenio Leon - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014

C/3B Joey Paciorek - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014

IF/OF Hainley Statia - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014

IF/OF Eugenio Velez - Re-signed to a minor league contract for 2014, also a big league camp invite

 

***

 

And as RHP/OF Micah Owings tweeted a short time ago -- -- Remain excited about the opportunities that may come up!

 

Minor league free agents as of Monday evening 11/3

 

These four players had been lifelong Brewers:

 

C Anderson De La Rosa (signed in August 2003, had already been "extended" three times)

RHP Tim Dillard (well, whole career minus a brief indy league sojourn to begin 2013)

OF Brock Kjeldgaard (already extended once last fall)

RHP R.J. Seidel

 

Other now-free agents:

 

IF Ozzie Chavez

IF Blake Davis

RHP Frankie De La Cruz

LHP Zach Kroenke

LHP Aaron Laffey

C/1B Blake Lalli - Elected early minor league free agency on 10/2, has since signed with D-Backs

RHP Johnnie Lowe

RHP Santo Manzanillo

LHP Chris Narveson - Elected early minor league free agency on 10/2

RHP/OF Micah Owings

IF/OF Eric Patterson - Released on 10/1

RHP Josh Ravin

RHP Mark Rogers

RHP Jesus Sanchez

OF Rene Tosoni

LHP Travis Webb

 

This doesn't mean none of these players will return. We know via his agent that the Brewers extended an offer to LHP Zach Kroenke, but apparently he didn't bite on it yet.

 

If you believe a player is listed in error or have an addition, let us know. We believe we're very close, but don't claim to be absolutely 100% accurate.

[Jim Goulart]

LHP Brent Leach

 

The Brewers came out with their twitter list of names this AM, and the list matched our own compilation with the exception of Leach, who we listed above. We have an inquiry into the Brewers, as well as Brent himself -- Leach, like RHP Dustin Molleken, may have signed for both the 2013 and 2014 seasons when he was picked up early last July.

 

Leach will turn 31 later this month. He appeared in 38 games (only 20.1 innings) for the Dodgers in 2009, and appeared in eight games (all starts) in Japan in 2011. In a small Nashville 2013 sample, LH batters hit .219 off of Leach.

[Jim Goulart]

LHP Brent Leach

 

The Brewers came out with their twitter list of names this AM, and the list matched our own compilation with the exception of Leach, who we listed above. We have an inquiry into the Brewers, as well as Brent himself -- Leach, like RHP Dustin Molleken, may have signed for both the 2013 and 2014 seasons when he was picked up early last July.

 

Leach will turn 31 later this month. He appeared in 38 games (only 20.1 innings) for the Dodgers in 2009, and appeared in eight games (all starts) in Japan in 2011. In a small Nashville 2013 sample, LH batters hit .219 off of Leach.

 

The Brewers have confirmed for us that LHP Brent Leach did sign for both 2013 and 2014 last July. He now appears on our list of Brewers who will need to be protected for Rule 5 purposes.

[Jim Goulart]

Rotoworld likes (as they should) the Marlins' signing of reliever Jesus Sanchez.

 

While an under the radar move, this could prove to be a very savvy signing for the Marlins. The 26-year-old right-hander posted an excellent 2.83 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 50/18 K/BB ratio over 70 innings at Triple-A Nashville in the hard-hitting PCL in 2013. He should be a candidate to earn a spot in the Marlins bullpen.

 

Also, kind words from Voice of the Sounds Jeff Hem.

[dacbrewers]

Rotoworld likes (as they should) the Marlins' signing of reliever Jesus Sanchez.

 

While an under the radar move, this could prove to be a very savvy signing for the Marlins. The 26-year-old right-hander posted an excellent 2.83 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 50/18 K/BB ratio over 70 innings at Triple-A Nashville in the hard-hitting PCL in 2013. He should be a candidate to earn a spot in the Marlins bullpen.

 

Also, kind words from Voice of the Sounds Jeff Hem.

Just my opinion but I thought we should of kept Sanchez. Glad he got on a team.

[Jim Goulart]

Free agent OF Brock Kjeldgaard is among those featured in this article at minorleagueball.com tonight --

 

Prospecting for Minor League free agent OF's

 

The author questions the Brewers letting Kjeldgaard walk, but Brock was already extended for an extra year for 2013, as he first qualified for free agency after the 2012 season. Kjeldgaard's 2013 season didn't inspire much beyond his 24 HR's (granted that sole number does have some value).

 

***

 

Here are the Brewers' free agents yet to sign elsewhere:

 

Mark Rogers made two starts in Venezuela, walked six in 3.2 innings, and hasn't been heard from since.

 

LHP Zach Kroenke has pitched well in the Dominican Republic this winter -- earlier this fall, his agent (Joshua Kusnick -- known to many as agent39 here), tweeted that Kroenke was sleeping on a very fine offer from the Brewers. Apparently Kroenke didn't think the offer was "that" fine (and maybe would have preferred it being kept quiet), and that helped spark one of the more interesting twitter conversations of the offseason.

 

I'm surprised LaCrosse's R.J. Seidel still is unemployed. He'll be just 26 for all of the 2014 season, and showed enough at his first taste of AAA in 2013 to make other clubs interested, one would think.

 

IF Ozzie Chavez

IF Blake Davis

RHP Frankie De La Cruz

C Anderson De La Rosa

RHP Tim Dillard

OF Brock Kjeldgaard

LHP Zach Kroenke

LHP Aaron Laffey

RHP/OF Micah Owings

IF/OF Eric Patterson

RHP Mark Rogers

RHP R.J. Seidel

OF Rene Tosoni

LHP Travis Webb

[Jim Goulart]

Congrats to 29-year-old catcher Anderson De La Rosa, the Venezuelan native who spent ten full seasons in the Brewers chain (2004-2013), he found more affiliated work by signing with the Angels.