Which still isn’t bad work, if you can get it. $60,000-$80,000 a year, for 5-6 months of playing ball. Guys like Melvin Dorta, John Halama, Yurendell de Caster…they’ll play for anyone that needs a body to fill out their AA or AAA rosters.
There’s probably 50 or more guys like that every year, throughout the various AAA and AA teams. They’ve long ago abandoned any dreams of sticking in the show. But they’re still having fun, and they’re smart enough to know that being a minor league soldier kicks the snot out of flipping burgers.
thats a fantastic salary for playing a kids game. the only negative is being away from your family and traveling by bus.
a player in his early 30’s, who has tons of AAA experience, can make a very,very good living. his dream of MLB may be over, but its better than working at Wendy’s.
And of course, just because you don’t have the opportunity to earn a spot in camp doesn’t mean that you can’t earn a callup later in the year if you play well enough. Hope springs eternal.
“• Minor league free agents. To fill the gaps in Triple-A, organizations often turn to the minor league free agent. The most coveted free agents can make as much as $12,000-$25,000 a month, depending on the organization. That works out to a cool $60,000-$125,000 for five months of work.
“That’s a competitive market, the six-year free agent market,” a former major league general manager said. “You can go from that $2,150 a month, and if you become a six-year free agent, you have a chance to at least double or triple that right away.” "
We trade him to the Cubs for Starlin Castro and Geovanny Soto. The Cubs realizes he’s average so they send him down to AAA where he respectfully wins 15 games with the Iowa Cubs and leads them all the way to not just the PCL Title but the Triple-A Baseball National Championship, beating the Indy Indians by going 8 IP and striking out 15.
Sometime I’d like to read a report of someone signing a minor league contract that doesn’t include an invitation to spring training.
WHYG Zane Smith - January 27, 2012
That does happen a fair amount.
Charlie Wilmoth - January 27, 2012
It seems cold, though
Like something the mean kids do in elementary school. “I’m having a spring training and you’re not invited!”
WHYG Zane Smith - January 27, 2012
What's the point of signing someone and not inviting them to ST?
Serious question
theatrain - January 28, 2012
AA or AAA filler.
Which still isn’t bad work, if you can get it. $60,000-$80,000 a year, for 5-6 months of playing ball. Guys like Melvin Dorta, John Halama, Yurendell de Caster…they’ll play for anyone that needs a body to fill out their AA or AAA rosters.
There’s probably 50 or more guys like that every year, throughout the various AAA and AA teams. They’ve long ago abandoned any dreams of sticking in the show. But they’re still having fun, and they’re smart enough to know that being a minor league soldier kicks the snot out of flipping burgers.
Midnight Moose - January 28, 2012
you are spot on, guv'nah
thats a fantastic salary for playing a kids game. the only negative is being away from your family and traveling by bus.
a player in his early 30’s, who has tons of AAA experience, can make a very,very good living. his dream of MLB may be over, but its better than working at Wendy’s.
plus, its a good stepping stone for coaching.
white angus - January 28, 2012
Coaching, or scouting work
When their playing days are over. A prime example being Larry Broadway.
Midnight Moose - January 29, 2012
And of course, just because you don’t have the opportunity to earn a spot in camp doesn’t mean that you can’t earn a callup later in the year if you play well enough. Hope springs eternal.
Vlad - January 29, 2012 via mobile
except they aren't .....
making $60-80 K.
David Todd - January 31, 2012
“• Minor league free agents. To fill the gaps in Triple-A, organizations often turn to the minor league free agent. The most coveted free agents can make as much as $12,000-$25,000 a month, depending on the organization. That works out to a cool $60,000-$125,000 for five months of work.
“That’s a competitive market, the six-year free agent market,” a former major league general manager said. “You can go from that $2,150 a month, and if you become a six-year free agent, you have a chance to at least double or triple that right away.” "
Midnight Moose - January 31, 2012
Well, I’m perfectly fine with Duke going to spring training with the Astros.
WTM - January 27, 2012
I don't think that
Daniel Cabrera received an invite to Spring Training… then again the original article is in Spanish and German is my foreign language of choice
SLucas22 - January 27, 2012
Yes, the article says that Cabrera has an invite to spring training.
impliedi - January 27, 2012
Man, it's just like Roger Clemens.
We draft him and then he gets traded and now he’s signing with the Astros.
Well except that Roger Clemens was really good while Zach Duke is just sort of….below average….
IAPiratesFan - January 27, 2012
More Importantly
They’ve managed to acquire Zach Duke’s WIFE for a minor league deal. What a steal!
glass0941 - January 27, 2012
Yeah, I Googled "Zach Duke wife"
SuperBaes - January 28, 2012
That's a steal.
Kosstic518 - January 28, 2012
I dunno ...
The guy behind her seems to view it with disapproval.
bucdaddy - January 28, 2012
Ummm...
cocktailsfor2 - January 28, 2012
Meh...
Too skinny. I like her more if she ate a coiple big mac’s here and there.
Bradley James McEachern - January 29, 2012
Vlad - January 30, 2012
(Sorry, Mrs. D.)
Vlad - January 30, 2012
Ooh, too fat
Bradley James McEachern - January 31, 2012
Them’s fightin’ words!
Vlad - January 31, 2012
Better watch out ump, or Lloyd going to steal first base
LITERALLY!!
Bradley James McEachern - January 31, 2012
Definitely a "front loaded" deal...
theatrain - January 28, 2012
wrecked!
white angus - January 28, 2012
prediction
4 starts vs pirates: 4-0, 29IP, 9ER, 25K, 11BB
johnnycuff - January 28, 2012
WTM - January 28, 2012
vs the Iowa Cubs, maybe
white angus - January 28, 2012
But how do those Iowa Cubs (with LaHair) fare against Kevin Correia in Principal Park?
SuperBaes - January 29, 2012
why would Correia be at principal park?
white angus - January 29, 2012
Well...
We trade him to the Cubs for Starlin Castro and Geovanny Soto. The Cubs realizes he’s average so they send him down to AAA where he respectfully wins 15 games with the Iowa Cubs and leads them all the way to not just the PCL Title but the Triple-A Baseball National Championship, beating the Indy Indians by going 8 IP and striking out 15.
Sounds about right.
Bradley James McEachern - January 29, 2012
thats just ridiculous
castro and soto isnt enough!
white angus - January 30, 2012
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