Two former major league All Stars led the way in inking minor league deals last week in attempts to make a comeback. One-time Cleveland Indians closer Chris Perez and Cincinnati Reds slugger Ryan Ludwick have found homes for spring training. How much longer they stick around than that depends on their performance.
Perez is just two seasons removed from back-to-back All Star campaigns for the Tribe. The former 2006 first round draft pick of the Cardinals was sent to the Indians in 2009 for Mark DeRosa. By 2010, he had claimed the Indians closer spot. The Milwaukee Brewers gave him a minor league deal in hopes of seeing that old Chris Perez in spring training.
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Despite racking up 75 saves in consecutive seasons, Perez was known for erratic control and the tendency to give up a more than adequate amount of runs as a closer. The 2013 season was not pretty one for Perez. His velocity went down, his walk rate went up and all of a sudden he had a hard time keeping the ball in the park which led to a career high five blown saves. The Indians, after Perez’s antics led to some off field legal issues, released their closer after the 2013 season. He played one uninspiring season in the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen last season.
Perez has a fantastic opportunity landing in Milwaukee. The team that has already brought back Dontrelle Willis to a minor league deal, has shown it is not afraid to gamble in spring training. Their bullpen currently has Jonathan Broxton as their closer with Will Smith and Jim Henderson amongst other as the set-up men. The bullpen is not a strong point. If Perez can get his head together, and that is a big if, then he has a real shot at cracking this roster and perhaps sneaking his way into the closer role before the season is complete.
Ludwick was a steady home run hitter until 2012 and then his hitting ability seemingly took a turn south. The right handed hitting former second round pick by the Oakland Athletics reached a climax in 2008 season. The Cardinals outfielder slashed .299/.375/.591 with 37 home runs and 113 RBI en route to his lone All Star appearance and a top 20 finish in the MVP voting. He would never reach those heights again, but would remain consistent as he began to float around the league winding up on four team over the next five seasons.
Now 36-years old and in a clear regression, it will be curious to see what Ludwick has left in the tank. Still, the Texas Rangers inked him to a minor league deal because they do have clear question marks in the outfield, especially left field where Ludwick has played 457 of his 956 career games. Rookie Ryan Rua is expected to be the Opening Day left fielder, but if Ludwick can put together a solid spring, he could be the veteran presence to serve as a back up and mentor to the youngster and also have the ability to spell Shin-Soo Choo in right.
Elsewhere, several others were signed to minor league deals this weekend:
The Cincinnati Reds brought back catcher Lou Marson to a minor league deal after an injury-riddled 2014. The also signed on ageless reliever Kevin Gregg to minor league contract, however their doesn’t seem to be too many holes in the Reds bullpen for him to fit.
The Baltimore Orioles signed one-time Texas Rangers speedster Julio Bourbon to a minor league deal. He has shown he can still hit for average and steal a ton of bases at the Triple-A level. Should he not make it out of spring training he will provide valuable depth in the minors for the Orioles until they need him.
A few relievers were signed to compete for a bullpen spot, but neither seem to have any chance of making the big league squad. The Washington Nationals inked Tim Alderson to a minor league deal. The New York Yankees signed Wilking Rodriguez.
Rodriguez has been in the minors since 2007 when the Tampa Bay Rays signed him as an international free agent out of Venezuela. He signed late last season with the Yankees but was released before he ever threw a pitch. Now just 24-years old and with 8 professional season under his belt, Rodriguez is growing into his repertoire nicely, as evidenced by his scoreless two inning major league debut with the Royals last year. The Yankees “Super Bullpen” is stacked with arms, but Rodriguez should provide strong organizational depth with major league ability.
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