The defending world champion Yuma Firebirds added some organizational depth to their bench by signing free agents 1B Nick Johnson, 2B Luis Castillo and C David Ross. GM Chris Melkonian also added RHP Rafael Betancourt and former LHP prospect Dan Meyer as two arms who might provide insurance for this season. Yuma lost longtime DH Travis Hafner to sibling rival Arizona, and has traded away last year's starting 1B (Lance Berkman), but for the most part returns the same core lineup and staff that took it all in 2009.
In other signing news:
The Casselton franchise set their sights on some big names, but missed out. They did succeed, however, in adding some decent arms who don't have big names but are likely to contribute to the parent club right away: LHP John Lannan, RHP Dustin Nippert and RHP Nick Blackburn.
Faced with the loss of the inconsistent Rick Ankiel, the Pottsylvania Creepers assured themselves of some left-handed firepower in the lineup by signing Hideki Matsui to a $3.25 guaranteed major-league contract. This year's Series runner-up also signed a healthy assortment of Type B free agents: SS Yuniesky Betancourt, IF Aki Iwarmura, OF Alexi Rios, and right-handed relievers Grant Balfour, Boof Bonser and Tony Pena.
Conservative Darwin added just one big-name talent, signing IF Miguel Tejada to a guaranteed, $3.25 million major-league contract. The Finches, with three post-season berths (including a World Series in 2008) in their last four contests, are mulling a possible move out of the Southern Hemisphere, and a new team identity as well.
The high-powered (and expensive) Worcester lineup spent much of their cap in the draft, but did ink some fairly mild-rep talents to split contracts, providing organizational depth: OF Delmon Young, IF Ty Wigginton, 2B Emilio Bonifacio, IF Alex Cintron and 2B Chris Burke offer speed and flexibility that previous Eliminator benches lacked. Much will depend upon whether Worcester can turn the corner with some of their young pitching.
Finally, the proudest of BARB franchises, the Frostbite Falls Flying Squirrels. GM Andrew Haynes once again tabbed LHP Scott Elbert as someone to watch, and for the second year in a row 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff signs with an Eastern Division club to supply some minor-league insurance. Also added: 1B Conor Jackson, OF Jeremy Hermida and RHP Aaron Heilman.
More free agent signing news to come.....
* Players shown bolded in red have been assigned to the major-league roster and count immediately against a club's cap
** Players shown bolded in blue have initially been signed to a minor-league contract that does not count against cap.
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