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November 19, 2004

Half of planet invited to Spring Training

Texas signed pitchers ROSMAN GARCIA, JOHN WASDIN, LOU POTE, AGUSTIN MONTERO, SHANE BAZZELL, VLAD NUNEZ, and JOSE VERAS, shortstop MANNY ALEXANDER, infielder ESTEBAN GERMAN, outfielders CHAD ALLEN, JASON CONTI, and ANDRES TORRES, and 1B JASON HART to minor-league contracts.

Alexander, Allen, Conti and Wasdin enter their second year of duty as UPS couriers on the well-worn route between Arlington and Oklahoma City. Allen could stick as a fifth outfielder depending on how the rest of the offseason shakes out; the others (I sincerely hope) will not clutter the active roster except in the most dire of circumstances.

The prettiest name on the list belongs to Nunez, who pitched quite well for the 01-02 Marlins before cratering in 2003 and enduring the shuttle between Denver and Colorado Springs last year. Nunez has a respectable chance to pitch in Texas and a decent chance to pitch well. Certainly worth the flyer.

Pote pitched reasonably well for Anaheim in 01-02, hopped to Japan in 2003, and returned in 2004, mostly for AAA Sacramento. Another passable guy to have in Oklahoma in case trouble erupts.

Torres possesses speed and on-base skills but has never displayed them on the big stage. He's not a terrible guy to have around but probably sits behind Allen and Conti in the pecking order of potential emergency call-ups.

Former prospect Hart endured a miserable twelve months which witnessed his removal from the 40-man roster and surgery for a non-malignant brain tumore. Hart has no chance to make the team but is at least playing baseball again.

Posted by Lucas at November 19, 2004 07:57 PM