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MLB: Top 5 Minor League Contracts Signed Thus Far

By Jake Mastroianni

ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 01: Matt Davidson #24 of the Chicago White Sox hits in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 1, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 01: Matt Davidson #24 of the Chicago White Sox hits in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 1, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Derek Holland #45 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on September 18, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

With spring training approaching we take a look at the best minor league deals that have been signed so far that could have a major impact.

A lot of experienced major league players have come to realize this offseason that the best offer they are going to get is minor league contract.

What that essentially means is that the players aren’t deemed good enough to take up a spot on the 40-man roster, so they’ll have to prove their worth in Spring Training, or perhaps even in the minor leagues to start the season.

Every season we see a couple of these signings make a major impact with a big league club. A lot of these teams are hoping to strike gold with these minor league signings.

You’ll see a lot of small budget teams sign players to minor league contracts. It’s a cost-effective solution to try and build a solid lineup.

Also, you’ll see a lot of teams who are not expected to contend this season sign bounce-back candidates to minor league deals in hopes they might be able to trade them during the season for a future asset.

From the player’s standpoint, while they aren’t happy to get a non-guaranteed contract in the big leagues, it’s a chance to re-establish themselves in hopes of earning a big league contract the following season.

One example I can remember from last season is Derek Holland who signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants before the 2018 season. He went out and posted a 3.57 ERA in 171.1 innings with 169 strikeouts. This offseason the Giants signed him to a one-year contract worth $6.5 million for 2019 and a team option for $7 million in 2020.

Anibal Sanchez did the same last year with the Braves and got a two-year deal worth at least $19 million with the Washington Nationals this offseason.

While there could be more of these signings to come as Spring Training picks up, here are a few of the best minor league contracts we’ve seen so far.

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