Within the last couple of days, the Red Sox have officially signed six players to minor league contracts and will report to Spring Training as non-roster invitees. Mostly seen as depth in case of the inevitable injury, the six players are:
Fernando Cabrera (RHP): Probably has the most major-league potential of the group, the 6′4″ Cabrera has very good stuff, including a low-mid 90’s fastball with good sink on it and an above-average split-change. Underwent elbow surgery last year, but came back and threw well in the Puerto Rican Winter League, picking up 12 saves while only giving up 12 hits in 22.1 innings and posting a 23 K/6 BB ratio.
Angel Chavez (3B): Slick fielding versatile infielder can play third, short, and second base positions very well. Decent pop from the right side.
Nick Green (2B): Yet another versatile glove-first infielder that the Sox like to sign for infield depth in Pawtucket. Like Chavez, Green has decent pop for a AAA bat.
Ivan Ochoa (SS): More infield depth for the PawSox. Empty batting average guy with well-below average plate-discipline. Saw brief time with the Giants last season.
Chip Ambres (OF): First round pick by the Marlins back in 1998. Nice right handed bat with good power and a good eye. Spent time with the Padres last year.
Carlos Maldonado (C): Defensive catcher with sub-par bat. Has struggled in limited time as a major leaguer.
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Always liked Chip Ambres as a AAAA/5th outfielder type. he put up that .401 obp with the pawsox as a 25 year old and thought he may get a chance to catch on somewhere with his versatility and above avg pop, speed, eye. I guess if you can’t make your breaks in San Diego…. Still, he leaps Van Every and Corsaletti (at least initially) as a guy who can likely play center a bit if (or when) Kotsay gets hurt. Like the addition, Van Every’s k rates are frightening in triple-a.
I particularly like the Fernando Cabrera addition. He does have control issues, but with 185 strikeouts in 168.2 big league innings, it’s also clear that he’s got potentially dominant stuff if he can get it over the plate. If the Sox’s coaching staff can turn him around, it’ll be a case of the rich get richer with yet another solid bullpen arm waiting in the wings at AAA.