Comments on: Rays officially sign Felipe Lopez to a minor league contract

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 03:37:04 +0000

Another interesting Rays pickup, but about the platoon thing, Lopez is a switch-hitter.

By: jetersusedjersey

jetersusedjersey — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 23:28:35 +0000

If he makes the Rays this is a great move. I think he still has a decent platoon season in him.

By: Jeremiah Graves

Jeremiah Graves — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 22:57:33 +0000

Personally, I had hoped the Twins would take a flier on Lopez.

With Casilla and Nishioka taking over the middle of the infield and Matty “I Swing My Banjo Like a Real Big Boy” Tolbert as the utility man, we could be in for a severely rough season up the middle.

I realize he’s got attitude problems, but I’d like to think a guy who is now accepting minor league deals for teams STOCKED with middle infield talent probably realizes he needs to get his act together if he wants to keep getting paid to play ball.

By: okobojicat

okobojicat — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 22:18:17 +0000

I think there would be a grievance filed by the team expecting the draft pick as obviously this player is not a possible minor league player.

Also, players don’t like signing minor league deals as it give the major league team more power over them.

Also, from what I’ve read (Keith Law) if Lopez is on the opening day roster, than the Red Sox will petition and probably win a pick from the Rays. No team would sign a player like Soriano but then stick him in the minor leagues for a week.

By: sabathiawouldbegoodattheeighthtoo

sabathiawouldbegoodattheeighthtoo — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 22:17:04 +0000

There are no Type A free agents left this year, and this is the last year of the current CBA between owners and the player’s union, so the answer to your first question would be ‘no’ on a technicality.

I’d still be curious to know if it could have been done, (i.e., the answer to your second question)

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 21:46:44 +0000

Is this something Type A relievers could start doing? For example, could Soriano have signed a minor league contract that said IF he made the major league team he’d make 3/37?