White Sox Announce Non-Roster Invites
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With pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in a little over a month (Feb. 20) the White Sox announced some minor league deals and other non-roster invites. The most intriguing name on the list is right-handed pitcher Daniel Cabrera.
Cabrera is a big stuff, zero control (and I mean zero control) guy. Walking 5.2 batters per nine innings in his Major League career has rendered him an afterthought, but he signed a minor league contract so there's nothing to lose. Cabrera has a career 5.10 ERA in parts of six seasons. If Sox pitching coach Don Cooper can wave his magic wand and "fix" Cabrera it could be a great move. I'm not going to hold my breath though.
As for the rest of the invites there are four other new additions: RHP Greg Aquino, LHP Erick Threets, infielder Freddie Bynum and outfielder Jason Botts. All four have Major League experience, but are long shots to make the 25-man roster. Outfielder Josh Kroeger and RHP Ryan Braun were re-signed and also received invites.
From the minor league side of things, catchers Donny Lucy, Miguel Gonzalez and Josh Phegley were among the NRIs because of the need for a lot of catchers early in camp. Joining them are lefty Charlie Leesman, infielders Brent Morel and C.J. Retherford (who also will get some time at catcher) and outfielders Jordan Danks and Jared Mitchell. Leesman's invite could be worth following because he was only in Kannapolis last season, but is a lefty with good velocity. If nothing else it shows that the Sox likely rate Leesman higher than most of the prospect-rating public.
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4 Comments
Jason Gage said:
Cabrera finally makes his way to the Sox. Sox always liked him and he seems like a solid non-roster invittee. Of course he hasn't shown near as much potential the past couple years as he did say 4 years ago.
Jason Gage said:
Leesman is high on the Sox rardars. He has a real nice arm for a lefty and is a name we will hear a lot more about in 2010.
I'm excited to see Leesman, the catchers, Morel, and Danks/Mitchell in there limited action.
Dan Santaromita said:
Yeah I know you've been all about Leesman for the past year or so. Looks like the Sox agree. Given the lack of quality lefties in the system, he's certainly a guy the Sox need to do well.
Luzinskisbeard said:
Obviously Jared Mitchell, Brent Morel, Jordan Danks, and Hawk's guy C.J. Retherford will get the most looks come spring training.
To me, the real question is the bullpen. Will there be pitchers that emerge to fill the now two (possibly three now if you count Linebrink...BAD) open bullpen spots that are available? Daniel Hudson, Carlos Torres, Tony Pena and Randy Williams have the inside track as of right now, but none of them are what I would consider, "bankable".
February 21 can't get here fast enough...
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