Reliever Shuffling and Yanks Add Berroa

Marlins sign Scott Proctor (1/750k)

Non-tendering Joe Nelson over ~800k and then signing Scott Proctor for 750k is just flat out bizarre. Nelson will not repeat his 2008, but he seems like a safer bet to be decent than the seemingly overworked Proctor. The victim of a poor BABIP (.350), Proctor compounded problems with 5.59 walks and 1.63 homeruns per nine. Proctor managed a career high in strikeouts per nine as well, but his FIP was a replacement level-esque 4.97. The Marlins have a good history of turning nothings into somethings, but this one is a bit puzzling.

Rangers sign Derrick Turnbow (minor league deal)

Another reliever who had a weird 2008. Turnbow lost complete control of his pitches, so much so that in one Triple-A performance he threw the ball into the backstop netting while warming up. That’s not to say Turnbow was ever precise with his control but if there’s a such thing as negative command, he had it. In limited Triple-A time (18 innings) Turnbow walked 41 and in 24.3 innings combined Turnbow walked 54 batters. In 2007, Turnbow walked 46 in 68 innings.

Yankees sign Angel Berroa and John Rodriguez (minor league deals)

Berroa is still finding jobs despite being a replacement level shortstop. Calling him the new Jose Macias is a little harsh, but he doesn’t field or hit even the slightest bit well, and most of his value is gained by simply playing shortstop. Between Cody Ransom (who should not play shortstop, but likely will) and Berroa the Yankees will use one in place of Wilson Betemit. Credit the Yankees for going the cheap replacement level route rather than the expensive replacement level route. It is better to pay the Andy Cannizaro’s of the world 400k for their efforts than give millions to Aaron Miles.

Rodriguez is organizational filler, and split 2008 with the Rays and Mets. He’s worth mentioning, since Rodriguez could probably be a decent bench outfielder on a non-contender.

Cardinals sign Royce Ring (minor league deal)

If one thing about Tony LaRussa is for certain, it is his love of situational lefties. Ring marks the third LOOGY acquired by the Cards this off-season, joining Trever Miller and Ian Ostlund. Like Ostlund, Ring was a member of what I called “F.A.T.: LOOGYS” or in English, Freely Available Talent useful as left-handed one out guys. Back to the Cardinals, they’re attempting to replace the duo of Randy Flores and Ron Villone from last season, and aren’t buying into the ideology that you have to buy a dependable LOOGY.

Ring is a nice addition, and should prove to be a worthwhile one thanks to heavy groundball inducing stuff, and that Ring’s fastball/curve combination plays better to lefties, as seen below. Last season’s numbers are proof of bad luck rather than bad talent, and that should show up in 2009.