Minor league transactions: Angel Reyes released

Once a highly touted prospect in the Yankees system -- Pinstripes Plus had him at No. 16 in 2007 -- left-handed pitcher Angel Reyes has been released according to Baseball America's latest minor league transactions.
Reyes was especially good in 2006, his first season in the United
States, but his 2007 was a bit spotty. He had a good batting average
against, but he also walked a lot of guys. He pitched only seven times
in 2008 when he was suspended for a failed performance-enhancing drug test.

The Reyes release is the only transaction listed for the Yankees, but there a few other moves of note.

The Dodgers have signed catcher J.D. Closser (right). Closser was
with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre through much of the season before being
released toward the end of the year and signing with the Padres. His
offseason home is near Durham and when the Triple-A Yankees won the
Governors Cup, Closser came to the final two games in North
Carolina and was invited into the clubhouse to celebrate with his old
teammates.

Los Angeles has also signed for Yankees farm hand John-Ford Griffin,
and Tampa Bay has signed Morgan Ensberg, who played briefly with the
big league Yankees last season.

One other move that I hadn't heard about: The Red Sox released 1B/OF
Jeff Bailey, who had an outstanding season in the International League
last year. I voted for him for the league's MVP award -- which he won
-- after watching him hit four home runs, five doubles and three
triples in 16 games against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The guy can hit.

Thanks for the info, man. Really appreciated

Welcome to spring training: Catchers

Kyle Anson
In camp to
help handle the excess pitchers. Might not get a ton of in-game
opportunities, needs to make the most of the opportunities he gets.
Likely to end up in Double-A Trenton, possibly splitting time, possibly backing up Frank Cervelli.
Worth knowing
that Anson is a converted third baseman who has had more walks than
strikeouts in each of his professional seasons. After making 12 errors
his first year behind the plate, Anson cut that number to five last
season.

Kevin Cash
In camp to
make he case that, despite not having a spot on the 40-man, he should
get the call if the Yankees need a third catcher at some point this
season.
Likely to end up as the regular catcher with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Worth knowing
that Cash had a .225/.309/.338 line with Boston last season, and all
three stats -- average, on-base, slugging -- were well above his career
numbers of .184/.248/.285 in the big leagues. He has shown a little bit
of power in the minors, and seems to have a good defensive
reputation. Also worth knowing, he's played 12 games at third base,
including four last year with the Red Sox.

Frank Cervelli
In camp to prove he's the guy, not Cash, who should be called up if the Yankees need another catcher during the season.
Likely to end up as the starting catcher in Double-A, at least at beginning of the season.
Worth knowing
that Cervelli is the only catcher on the 40-man other than Jorge Posada
and Jose Molina. Cervelli has a terrific defensive reputation and,
because of his roster spot, would be the easiest call-up should the
Yankees need an extra catcher for a few games. He's also the guy who
broke his wrist last spring.

Borrell Back In The Organization

Robert Pimpsner of Baby-Bombers.com
is reporting that former Thunder pitcher Danny Borrell has re-joined
the organization as the Rehab Pitching Coach for the Gulf Coast Yankees.

The injury plagued pitcher appeared in 25 for games for the Thunder
between the 2005 and 2006 seasons, posting a 4-6 record in 21 starts.

He last pitched during the 2008 season, appearing in eight games in
the Oakland Athletics organization, splitting time between Double-A and
Triple-A.

Doug Bernier (right)
In camp to possibly make a surprise run at a big league bench job.
Likely to end up as a utility type with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, similar to Cody Ransom last season.
Worth knowing that Bernier made his major league debut last season with the Rockies. His defensive numbers are encouraging
and his offensive numbers have generally gotten better at the upper
levels. His two years in Triple-A have yielded the two highest slugging
percentages and on-base percentages of his career.

Angel Berroa
In camp to battle for a major league utility role.
Likely to end up
released. That's my guess. I like Cody Ransom's chances of sticking
around and if Berroa doesn't do enough to make the big league team, I'm
not sure the Yankees will want him taking at-bats in
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. And I'm not sure he'll want those at-bats.
Worth knowing
that Berroa won the Rookie of the Year in 2003 when he had 17 home
runs, 28 doubles, seven triples, 73 RBIs and 21 stolen bases for the
Royals. The home runs and RBIs are career-highs, including his time in
the minors, while the doubles, triples and stolen bases are surpased
only by Berroa's 2001 season when he climbed from Class-A to the
majors.

Kevin Russo (right)
In camp to
continue making the huge strides he made last summer and fall. He could
make the kind of impression that makes the Yankees want him on the big
league bench at some point this season.
Likely to end up as a regular second baseman who gets time at other positions with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Worth knowing
that Russo hit .307 average with a .363 on-base percentage in Double-A
Trenton, but was still a surprising Arizona Fall League selection. He
justified the appointment by hitting .309 with a .377 on-base
percentage in Arizona, where he played some shortstop and outfield in
addition to his usual second and third base.

Juan Miranda
In camp to try to put up numbers despite knowing there's no spot for him in New York.
Likely to end up as the everyday first baseman in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Worth knowing
that Miranda put up impressive numbers in the Arizona Fall League --
.301 average, five homers and 20 RBIs in 19 games -- but the splits
were perfectly in keeping with his platoon-heavy career. He hit just
.125 with a .375 slugging percentage in a handful of at-bats against
lefties.

Eduardo Nunez
In camp to possibly get some time at shortstop while Derek Jeter is playing in the World Baseball Classic.
Likely to end up with Double-A Trenton.
Worth knowing that Baseball America's John Manuel ranked Nunez as the Yankees No. 6 prospect in 2006, but this year, in a chat about the Yankees system, Manuel admitted, "I over-hyped Eduardo Nunez a couple of years ago and he has not made progress, not significant anyway."

Ramiro Pena
In camp to give Joe Girardi enough confidence to use him if needed during the season.
Likely to end up playing shortstop with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, possibly playing an Alberto Gonzalez-type role.
Worth knowing
that Pena gets raves for his defense but has hit just .258 with three
home runs during his four-year minor league career. It might be a good
sign that he batted .283 with two homers in winter ball.

Cody Ransom (right)
In camp to hold onto his 40-man spot and major league utility job.
Likely to end up on the major league bench, unless the Yankees make a spring training move to add a veteran infielder.
Worth knowing
that Ransom is the only utility-type on the 40-man, and although he's
come to put up impressive power numbers, he was more highly touted as a
defensive shortstop prospect than an offensive one. Last season with
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre he played 59 games at third, 49 games at short
and five games at second. He made a total of 12 errors.

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