Offseason News Round up
November 16, 2016 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Salt Lake Bees News Release
Early November is a calm before a storm of free agency signings and trades in baseball, but the Angels have still made a few moves this week that may shape the Salt Lake roster.
Signings:
MiLB: RHP Luis Diaz, RHP Justin Miller, RHP Osmer Morales, OF Luis Tejada
MLB: RHP Jesse Chavez (link)
Of the four players the Angels have signed to Minor League contracts only RHP Justin Miller has appeared at the Triple-A level. Miller has four years of experience at the Triple-A level including three in the PCL with Round Rock and Albuquerque. He holds a career 3.51 ERA at the Triple-A level.
None of the other three players signed appeared in Triple-A last year, but that doesn't mean they won't end up in Salt Lake at some point. Diaz pitched in the Padres organization last season, spending most of his time with Double-A San Antonio where he was 2-5 in 10 starts. Morales split time between a starter and reliever finishing 5-6 with a 3.32 ERA between Single-A Clinton and High-A Bakersfield in the Seattle organization. Tejada has experience at all three outfield spots as well as 238 starts at first base during his seven year Minor League career. Tejada was teammates with Diaz in the Padres organization last year and hit .256 with a healthy .336 on base percentage for the Missions in 63 games.
To track more Minor League free agents check out the fantastic Baseball America MiLB tracker (link)
Departures:
OF Rafael Ortega (Designated for assignment)
Via Baseball America's free agent tracker there are 12 players from the 2016 Bees team that are currently free agents: P A.J. Achter, 2B Angelo Amendolare, RHP Geoff Broussard, OF Nick Buss, OF Austin Cousino, OF Todd Cunningham, LHP Chris Jones, RHP Kyle Kendrick, RHP Yunesky Maya, RHP Zach Nuding, C Webster Rivas and RHP Josh Roenicke.
Winter Leagues Update:
Jefry Marte has joined Torod del Este in the Dominican League and has mashed for a .556 average over his first three games.
Anthony Bemboom has joined Las Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican League, but has not appeared in a game as of today.
Winter Reading:
Halos Heaven has a good look at possible rotation candidates for the Bees (link)
The OC Register checked in with David Fletcher. The middle infielder showed well in Arkansas last year and could be in Salt Lake soon (link)
MiLB.com has a good look at park factors in Triple-A. As you would expect Smith's Ballpark leans hitter friendly, but comes in towards the middle of the pack in the PCL. (link)
PCL News:
Nashville has hired Ryan Christenson as the Sounds new manager (link)
New Orleans changed their name to the... Baby Cakes? (link). The Bees will match up against the Cakes in May this season, but the Babies don't visit Salt Lake until the 2018 season. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs. s.
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Pacific Coast League Stories from November 16, 2016
- Sounds Unveil Three New 18-Game Ticket Plans - Nashville Sounds
- Nolan Ryan Foundation, Round Rock Express Make $50,000 Donation To Local Park - Round Rock Express
- Offseason News Round up - Salt Lake Bees
- Storm Chasers Unveil Ten-Game Holiday Plan - Omaha Storm Chasers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
