Overlooked Transactions | Mario Soto's Blog

All right. This is my first regular column, and I'm already behind. I've been doing this column sporadically since the website launched, and I haven't covered any transactions since January 14th. So bear with me as I go way back in time - to mid-January - to try to get caught up.

01/15/08: Tampa signed RHP Dan Wheeler to a one-year contract

The 30-year-old Wheeler was terrible in 25 games for the Rays last year, posting a 5.76 ERA (ERA+ of 78) and a 1.520 WHIP. That wasn't what the Rays expected after they traded Ty Wigginton and cash (the Rays gave someone else cash!) for Wheeler, not after he had ERA+ of 191 and 176 in 2005 and 2006. Still, the move to re-sign him was a good one. The Rays have a terrible bullpen even with the addition of Percival, so the potential of Wheeler is worth the risk that he flops again.

01/15/08: Seattle signed LHP Arthur Rhodes to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training

He'll be 38 this year, had an ERA+ of 88 in 2006 and didn't pitch in 2007 (but got a million bucks from the Mariners). He probably has, what, a 3% chance of contributing this year, but if the Mariners aren't on the hook for anything, why not.

01/15/08: New York Yankees sign RHP Scott Strickland to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training

He's pitched four innings in the past four seasons, but still gets the invite. Wanna know why? When he's pitched, he's been really good. He has a career ERA+ of 131. If he had enough innings to qualify, that would be good for 32nd all-time - tied with Sandy Koufax!

01/16/08: Boston signed C Doug Mirabelli to a one-year contract

Wakefield's binky can't hit. In 2006, he had posted a line of .182/.308/.227 when the Sox traded for him. That's how much they felt Wakefield needed him. In 2007 he "improved" to .202/.278/.360, good for an OPS+ of 63. He'll turn 38 at the end of the 2008 season, and it's not improbable that with his age we could slip to something like .180/.250/.310 if he has a meaningful number of at bats. On a related note, did you know Mirabelli was born in Kingman, AZ?

01/21/08: San Diego Padres signed OF Jody Gerut to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training

Gerut finished fourth in AL ROY voting in 2003, posting a fine OPS+ of 120, then dropped off dramatically in 2004 and 2005. According to Baseball-Reference.com he didn't play in 2006 or 2007. Anyone know what happened? I hope Gerut makes a nice comeback, but let's also hope the Padres aren't expecting anything from him.

01/22/08: Detroit signed RHP Matt Mantei to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training

Mantei was last seen pitching four games for Toledo (Det - AAA) in 2006. He'll be 35 this year, hasn't pitched in the majors in two years and has an injury history. But still worth the risk for Detroit given their bullpen problems. If he gives them 30 meaningful innings, they'll take it.

01/22/08: Boston signed RHP Dan Kolb and RHP Dan Miceli to minor league contracts with invitations to Spring Training

With these signings you'd think that Boston a) had exchanged bullpens with the 2007 Rays or b) was trying in some manner to have fun at Dan Duquette's expense (multiple Dans - in case you missed that one). Since he posted ERA+ of 219 and 146 in 2003 and 2004 for the Brewers, Kolb has gone downhill big time. In 2005 he posted an ERA+ of 71 with a whopping 1.855 WHIP. He improved in 2006 posting an ERA+ of 94 with a 1.510 WHIP. Last year for Pittsburgh he pitched just three innings. I can't imagine any scenario in which Kolb is allowed to take the mound in Fenway. The fans will eat him alive.

Miceli didn't pitch last year, but he did have a fine 2006 with Tampa, right? He had an ERA+ of 117, so of course he had a good year. But hold on. Take a slightly closer look at his stats and you'll see a WHIP of 1.406 and a K/BB ratio of 0.90. That's right - 20 walks and 18 strikeouts in 32 innings. Sounds like a lot of luck.

By Adam White of www.DugoutCentral.com