also available at www.SethSpeaks.net –
The Twins continued to support their AAA Rochester roster today by announcing they have signed 31 year old 1B/OF Jeff Bailey to a minor league contract. He played in Reno last year, the AAA Affiliate of the Diamondbacks, and hit .289/.387/.462 with 33 doubles, seven triples and 12 home runs. He played 51 games at 1B, 37 games in left field and 26 games in right field. Bailey was originally a 2nd round draft pick of the Marlins in 1997. He spent a few seasons with the Expos. Then the Red Sox signed him, and after three years in AAA, and much of the 2007 season as well, he got into three games for the Red Sox and went 1-9. The hit was a home run. In 2008, he got 50 at bats in 27 games for the Red Sox, and hit .280/.390/.460 with two homers. In 2009, he got 77 at bats in 26 games for the Red Sox and hit .208/.330/.416 with three more home runs. Throughout his career, he has shown some decent power, but he really knows how to work counts and draft walks. This is consistent with Chase Lambin who the Twins signed last weekend to a minor league contract.
The Twins have definitely made a strong push in the minor league free agent market and that is a good thing. First, the Rochester fans will have a team that they can hopefully get some wins from this year. But more importantly, it allows the Twins to be more patient with promotions of their prospects, and that is very important.
Any thoughts? Feel free to e-mail me or Comment here.
SethSpeaks.net 
I stick by my prediction that this team will talk a big game about signing legit players, but try to fix their problems with signings of has beens or never was’s, like this guy.
Completely disagree MWW… they’ll spend some money. They’ll increase payroll. These are minor league signings, and sure, if they play great in Rochester, and the Twins have a need, they can go get them.
That will make you so happy, won’t it.
I hope you are right, Seth. I was really bummed they didn’t deal for Uggla, the Atlanta team stole him…..
I admit, I was pretty jealous when I saw that Uggla trade too. Sure wouldn’t mind adding that bat! And utility infielders and relievers seem like a relatively easy price to pay. Of course, signing him beyond one year won’t be easy. But imagine the excitement of having him for even one year. That would sell a lot of tickets.
Oh, I do agree that they should be helping Rochester, btw. They owe it to them to give them some decent players.
Seth, does Bailey’s signing spell the end for Brock Peterson in the organization?
I’m sure Peterson wasn’t coming back anyway. If he didn’t get an opportunity this year, he’s not getting a chance with the Twins. But yeah, Bailey can play 1B. So could Lambin. Lis.
Hi Seth,
Jon wrote a story at strib centric site about Matt Capps being over paid through arbitration. Where does he get the 7.5 million from? Capps made 3.5m in 2010 and had a very good year. In 2011 he is set-up for a raise, but he’ll be in 5m to 5.5m range not 7.5m. Did he write the article just to upset the unknowing of the arbitration process? Capps is a fall back option for Nathan, or he will be a quality set-up man. Either way, he’ll be a asset for 2011.
I thought $7MM seemed low, for Capps, in arbitration. He’s not worth that much money, not a team that has $23MM in one guy, and $11MM in one bullpen guy already (even if he can’t play).