Minor League Spring Training Invitees of Note

[Little Slide Rooter]

Every season, Im intrigued by former big leaguers, mainliy former Cubs who have accepted minor league deals with a shot at the big league Club. Who will make the team, and who will fade away once and for all?

 

Astros

David Newhan

Jose Cruz Jr.(Wasnt he supposed to be as big as A-Rod?)

A's

Mike Sweeney(Big fish in a small pond becomes small fish in a crappy pond)

Braves

Javy Lopez(man I wanted him a a Cub 4 years ago)

Cards

Cliff Politte

Dewon Brazelton

D'Angelo Jimenez(mabe they'll bring him up just for Cubs games)

Igor

Cubs

Shingo

Dodgers

Mike Myers

Chan Ho Park

Tanyon Sturtz

Ramon Martinez

Giants

Scott Williamson

Indians

Brendon Donnelly(This one could pay off big time)

Jorge Julio

Mariners

Chris Reitsma

Arthur Rhodes

Mets

Fernando Tatis

Tony Armas

Jose Valentine

Natspos

Ray King

Jason DuBois(Hes still around)

Bobby Brownlie

Orioles

Steve Trashel

Roberto Novoa

Padres

Glendon Rusche(cant blame a guy for trying)

Shawn Estes

Jody Gerut

Pirates

Jaret Wright

Elmer Dessens

Doug Mientkiewcz

Jose Macias

Rays

Eric Hinske

Josh Paul

Red Sox

Danny Kolb

Bobby Kielty

Reds

Kent Merker

Paul Bako

Craig Wilson

Rockies

John Koronka

Victor Zambrano

Marcus Giles

Scott Podsednik

Royals

Brian Lawerence

Hideo Nomo

Tigers

Francis Beltran

Matt Mantei

Timo Perez

Yankees

Morgan Ensberg

Jason Lane

[Mephistopheles]

Morgan Ensberg would have been smart.

[biittner77]

Reading that list makes me feel old.

[cheapseats]

I'd take Jose Cruz Jr. as a 4th or 5th OF. Not good at all last year, but he has hit lefties well over his career, and he projects to have a slightly above average EQA this year.

[OleMissCub]

What the hell happened to Marcus Giles? Did he get off his roids or something?

[XZero771679666304]

What the hell happened to Marcus Giles? Did he get off his roids or something?

 

 

I think that's the consensus.

[haltz]

I thought Ensberg had signed a major league contract. When was the last time a guy had a projected .290 EqA and signed a minor league deal?

 

Josh Phelps is coming to camp with the Cardinals.

[AlwaysaCub]

Reading that list makes me feel old.

 

I agree. There are a lot of big names of the past on there. Where has the time gone?

[Rob]

I thought Ensberg had signed a major league contract. When was the last time a guy had a projected .290 EqA and signed a minor league deal?

 

Josh Phelps is coming to camp with the Cardinals.

 

Off the top of my head, your best bets for that one are Jack Cust, Carlos Pena, and Hee Seop Choi.

[Soul]

Very suprised Nomo hasn't packed it up and gone back to Japan. He's a hero there.

 

Great job on the list, Meph.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Very suprised Nomo hasn't packed it up and gone back to Japan. He's a hero there.

 

Great job on the list, Meph.

last thing we need is for people to be giving him credit for stuff he doesn't do

[Soul]

Very suprised Nomo hasn't packed it up and gone back to Japan. He's a hero there.

 

Great job on the list, Meph.

last thing we need is for people to be giving him credit for stuff he doesn't do

 

LOL, my bad. How did I screw that up? :oops:

 

Great job, LLF :)

[UMFan83]

It's so crazy how many of those names were relevant even 2 years ago.

 

Victor Zambrano was traded for Scott Kazmir

Cliff Polite was a key setup man on the 2005 White Sox

Mike Sweeney was the face of the Royals for years, and according to The Dugout people shattered the single season HR mark in relative obscurity

Chan Ho Park got a huge contract 5 years ago

Chris Reitsma was traded for Bob Wickman like 2 years ago

Fernando Tatis hit 2 Grand Slams in an inning like 5 years ago

Jorge Julio was one of the better setup men in baseball a few years back

 

Crazy.

[Soul]

Enjoy the big leagues while you can. Tomorrow you could be a forgotten footnote.

[sporrer17]

This list is crazy to look at. So many of those players were suggested acquisitions for the Cubs over the past few years.

 

Craig Wilson, Javy Lopez, Williamson (we actually got him), Gerut (another we got), Danny Kolb, Kielty, Victor Zambrano, Marcus Giles, Scott Podsednik.

 

These are all guys I've heard in connection with the Cubs/Cubs fans being interested in within the past few years...amazing to think how much things can change in a few years.

[UMFan83]

This list is crazy to look at. So many of those players were suggested acquisitions for the Cubs over the past few years.

 

Craig Wilson, Javy Lopez, Williamson (we actually got him), Gerut (another we got), Danny Kolb, Kielty, Victor Zambrano, Marcus Giles, Scott Podsednik.

 

These are all guys I've heard in connection with the Cubs/Cubs fans being interested in within the past few years...amazing to think how much things can change in a few years.

 

Are you saying we are dumb for wanting these guys?

[ThePenguin11]

I found it amusing how many ex-Cubs and ex-Cub prospects are on that list. 16 by my count. Lotta ex-cub prospects that people were anxious about trading.

[rawaction]

I found it amusing how many ex-Cubs and ex-Cub prospects are on that list. 16 by my count. Lotta ex-cub prospects that people were anxious about trading.

 

The ex-Cubs are on the list, because it is a list of players "of note" to this message board. No other group of fans care about where Jose Macias is playing except us.

[moorecg]

Fernando Tatis hit 2 Grand Slams in an inning like 5 years ago

 

 

Off the same pitcher if I remember correctly...likely a feat that will never be repeated.

[sporrer17]

This list is crazy to look at. So many of those players were suggested acquisitions for the Cubs over the past few years.

 

Craig Wilson, Javy Lopez, Williamson (we actually got him), Gerut (another we got), Danny Kolb, Kielty, Victor Zambrano, Marcus Giles, Scott Podsednik.

 

These are all guys I've heard in connection with the Cubs/Cubs fans being interested in within the past few years...amazing to think how much things can change in a few years.

 

Are you saying we are dumb for wanting these guys?

 

Yeah, that's exactly it. Actually I was probably right on board with most of those guys (well Wilson and Giles were some I really liked). I just think it's interesting to consider that a couple of years ago, these were guys we (some of us) coveted and now they've fallen so far that they have to fight for a 40 man roster spot.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Koronka in Coors would be super fun happy time.

[Derwood]

Fernando Tatis hit 2 Grand Slams in an inning like 5 years ago

 

 

Off the same pitcher if I remember correctly...likely a feat that will never be repeated.

 

wasn't that pitcher Park? or was it Ishii?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Fernando Tatis hit 2 Grand Slams in an inning like 5 years ago

 

 

Off the same pitcher if I remember correctly...likely a feat that will never be repeated.

 

wasn't that pitcher Park? or was it Ishii?

Chan Ho

[Little Slide Rooter]

Wasnt Bobby Brownlie one of our top prospects at one time?

 

And does anyone else remember when everytime D'Angelo Jimenez came up to bat against us with Cincy, it was a guaranteed extra base hit?

Edited February 12, 2008 by Little Slide Rooter

[Derwood]

Wasnt Bobby Brownlie one of our top prospects at one time?

 

he was a high draft pick, but had a messed up shoulder in college that he never really recovered from