Dodgers re-sign three significant ex-Midwest Leaguers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have re-signed three former Midwest Leaguers of note: closer Kenley Jansen, third baseman Justin Turner, and starting pitcher Rich Hill.

Jansen signed a five-year, $80 million deal with the team on Monday. He was a catcher with the Great Lakes Loons in 2007 and 2008, which I wrote about earlier this year when he became the Dodgers’ all-time saves leader. You can read that post here.

Turner reportedly agreed to a four-year, $64 million deal with the Dodgers on Tuesday. He was an infielder for the Dayton Dragons in 2007, primarily playing second base. He batted .311 with 10 HR, 59 RBI and 12 SB in 117 Midwest League games.

Hill signed a three-year, $48 million contract with the Dodgers last week. He pitched for the 2003 Lansing Lugnuts, going 0-1 with a 2.76 ERA, 50 strikeouts and 36 walks in 29.1 innings (15 games/four starts). He returned to the MWL for a single start two years later, getting the win after striking out 12 and walking none in eight innings for the 2005 Peoria Chiefs.

Padres claim Lee off waivers

The San Diego Padres claimed RHP Zach Lee off waivers from the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday.

A first-round draft pick of the Dodgers in 2010, Lee spent his first season as a professional ballplayer pitching in the Midwest League. He went 9-6 with a 3.47 ERA, 91 strikeouts and 32 walks in 109 innings (24 starts) for the 2011 Loons.

White Sox ink Holland to deal

LHP Derek Holland signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. All eight of his previous seasons in the major leagues were spent with the Texas Rangers, who drafted him in 2006.

Holland pitched for the Clinton LumberKings in 2008, going 7-0 with a 2.40 ERA, 91 strikeouts and 29 walks in 93.2 innings (17 starts).

Castillo agrees to O’s deal

Free-agent catcher Welington Castillo reportedly has agreed to a $6 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles for the 2017 season, with a $7 million player option for 2018.

Castillo played for Peoria in 2007, batting .271 with 11 HR and 44 RBI in 98 games. His Chiefs manager was Baseball Hall-of-Famer Ryne Sandberg, who went on to manage 278 games for the Philadelphia Phillies during the 2013-15 seasons.

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This entry was posted in Baseball Hall of Fame, Clinton LumberKings, Dayton Dragons, Great Lakes Loons, Lansing Lugnuts, Midwest League, Peoria Chiefs. Bookmark the permalink.

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