Off-Season Transactions - Prior To Rule 5

[mothershipconnection]

That sounds like a leadoff hitter on a horrible (at least 7-9 the hitters) team's line to me. Are his RISP numbers atrocious or what?

[JaNelson52]

Alejandro Machado, DFA'd to make roster room for all the players received in the Sexson deal, has cleared waivers and been outrighted to AAA-Indianapolis.

 

In a different move, IF Enrique Cruz was also outrighted to Indy today.

[Al the Thinking Man]

Good to see us keep Machado. He's at a loaded position in the system, but he's a nice prospect.

[Al the Thinking Man]

Does that mean that Cruz is again eligible for the Rule 5 draft?

[MassBrew]

(last November) the Brewers also picked up infielder Enrique Cruz in the Rule 5 draft, then made the unorthodox move of signing him to a two-year extension in June. Cruz remains the only Brewer signed past 2004.

 

That contract would likely preclude anyone from taking him on. The Brewers might not agree to take him back if offered. I'd say Enrique's agent did an outstanding job working out that agreement last season, as detailed in this link:

 

www.jsonline.com/sports/b...145494.asp

[Al the Thinking Man]

MB, I'm not sure why you feel that would make a difference. When compared to using a 25 man spot on him, paying him an extra year at minimum MLB salary certainly is a tiny matter.

[colbyjack]

Money is never a tiny matter these days, relative to any & everything, especially in Milwaukee. Plus, he's not a relief pitcher http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

 

I agree with MB's assessment, I wouldn't be surprised if the team was hoping someone else would pick him up as much as it would seem odd wasting a 25-man spot on him all of last season.

[DHonks]

forget the money...who in their right mind would take Cruz in the Rule V after last year? I would imagine he'll be the SS in Huntsville

[mothershipconnection]

I don't know as much about salary rules as some here, but the article linked lead me to believe they would have had to pay him $300K this year, even if he were sent to the minors. Thus, the extension makes him cheaper if he's in the minors, while paying him more if he makes the majors.

 

That's a steep price for a player who'll probably be sent to Class AA Huntsville in 2004. Instead, the Brewers and Cruz agreed to a deal that will pay him $135,000 next year and $145,000 in 2005, if he is in the minors both years. If he plays in the majors, his salaries would be $320,000 and $325,000, respectively.

[RobertR]

Is there anyone out there that wants to let Cruz waste another year where he gets maybe 100 or so ABs and might hit .150? He obviously can't help a team now and if he misses another year of full time playing, I think it's even more doubtful that he'll help a team in the future.

 

I think the fact that nobody claimed him on waivers is another indicator that he won't be claimed in Rule 5.

 

Robert

[deeswan]

I think the fact that nobody claimed him on waivers is another indicator that he won't be claimed in Rule 5.

 

That was alluded to by Melvin in an article in the JS on 12/10. His take was basically, no team claimed him for the $20,000 it would cost to do so, it's doubtful any team would then spend $50,000 to take him in rule V (or is it 5?).

[lend d money]

Getting back to Machado, does anyone know if he was in a hitter's league prior to coming to the organization. I recall at the time of acquisition I was excited about his doubles total and batting average. However, he looked overmatched during the week I saw him in Huntsville. The way he holds the bat doesn't help his cause. He needs to move his hands back. Anyone with info on him or his league while with the Royals??

[Al the Thinking Man]

I never thought about the fact he had to clear waivers to be outrighted. He should be safe from the Rule 5. A nice gamble by Melvin.

[Never Outhustled]

While Cruz's contract extension doesn't make him less desireable as a rule V , it does make him unwanted as a waiver claim to play in AA. Now the $$ the Crew gave him makes more sense, it seems this was planned all along.

[pogokat]

rotoworld reports that the brewers are close to signing fomer white sock and expo, Jeff Liefer to a minor league contract

 

Im sure this will infuriate all the people that were pissed when jon nunnally was signed

[colbyjack]

That would be another solid signing. Liefer has always had a good bat with some pop, and it's easy to see him being a productive bat off the bench. He can play both corner IF spots too, which obviously is a plus.

[Al the Thinking Man]

I'm surprised Liefer hasn't hit more than he has. I'd be disappointed if we signed him to play the vacant corner OF slot, but bring on those vets to minor league deals.

 

I'd much rather have VW on the bench, but I'd rather have Liefer and a supplemental 2nd round pick than VW.

[rpms6]

The new issue of BA shows that the Brewers resigned catcher Alex Delgado and signed an outfielder by the name of Freddy de la Cruz. I assume de la Cruz is on the AZ Brewers roster.

 

BA also shows Jacob Cruz signing with the Reds. He shows up on MLB.com's Louisville roster as well.

[MassBrew]

The new issue of BA shows that the Brewers resigned catcher Alex Delgado and signed an outfielder by the name of Freddy de la Cruz. I assume de la Cruz is on the AZ Brewers roster.

 

BA also shows Jacob Cruz signing with the Reds. He shows up on MLB.com's Louisville roster as well.

 

Thanks for the transaction heads-up as of late, rpms6. Nice to know there's another "wire" nut out there besides yours truly.

 

When Jacob Cruz' name was placed on the Brewers' mlb.com Indy roster and then removed shortly thereafter, we inquired to our friends with the Crew. The comment was they couldn't comment at this time, so something certainly fell through with that signing and it's been removed from the Brewerfan transaction wire.

 

The Alex Delgado signing makes a lot of sense. A Delgado-Chris Coste-Mark Johnson AAA tag-team isn't embarassing in the least, with one of the three a possible Chad Moeller backup. Kade Johnson needs to catch in Huntsville four of five nights and show something at the bat through April and May at the least.

 

And yeah, Freddy de la Cruz is probably a 16-18 year old.

[lend d money]

Good to see someone else agrees with me on Kade, where he needs to start and has yet to prove. I would love to have ten minutes of Doug Melvin's time so we could discuss his inclusion on the 40 man roster.

[JaNelson52]

I would hope that the Brewers would try to get a bit younger with the AAA guys, but Delgado is familiar with the organization, so I assume it was an easy pickup.