Detroit Tigers Sign 19 Minor Leaguers To Contracts

According to Tony Paul of the Detroit News, the Detroit Tigers announced the signing of 19 players to minor league contracts on Monday.

"Right-handers: Trevor Bell, Cesar Carrillo, Shane Dyer, Shawn Hill, Micah Kellogg, David Kopp, Victor Larez, Carlos Monasterios, Jesse ToddLeft-handers: Jose Alvarez, Ramon Garcia, Efrain NievesCatcher: Brad DavisInfielders: Argenis Diaz, Lance Durham, John LindseyInfielders/outfielders: Marcus Lemon, Kevin Russo, Matt Tuiasosopo"

Mar 13, 2011; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels shortstop

(left) tags out Seattle Mariners first baseman Matt Tuiasosopo (27) on a stolen base attempt during spring training at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Cesar Carrillo, Victor Larez, David Kopp, Ramon Garcia, Efrain Nieves, Brad Davis, Argenis Diaz, Lance Durham, John Lindsey, and Marcus all finished the 2012 season in the Tigers’ organization – so they’re not really new names at all – but their minor league contracts had apparently expired so Detroit still had to come to a free agent agreement with them.

Minor league free agents are mostly roster-filler organizational depth type players, but that’s not always the case. Al Alburquerque joined the club this way prior to the 2011 season and became a valuable member of the bullpen almost right away. We already made mention of the Shawn Hill and Kevin Russo signings on these electronic pages, but Trevor Bell, Carlos Monastarios, and Matt Tuiasosopo also have major league experience and could possibly serve as actual team depth (rather than the still important but much less exciting minor league depth).

Micah Kellogg might not be a great prospect, but he appears to have a good story that is worth rooting for. Per Jason Beck:

"Kellogg, too, is an interesting story, signed out of a tryout at Tigertown in September after going undrafted out of Flagler College last summer. The right-hander will report to minor-league camp this spring."

I have no idea where or what Flagler College is, but I’m assuming their baseball pedigree is minimal. Rooting for guys signed out of tryouts is mandatory.