Countdown To Spring Training: 10 Non-Roster Invitees Who Could Earn a Contract
This is about the time of year when baseball fans start getting antsy every season.
It's about midway between the World Series and the beginning of spring training, but this off-season has given us plenty to talk about.
Jayson Werth, Carl Crawford, and Cliff Lee's $100 million contracts have kept us busy.
But now it's time to start thinking about spring training, and one of the more interesting elements of spring training is non-roster invitees.
Spring training is pretty much a try out for these guys, and it's rare to see anyone try harder than them.
Juan Castro
1 of 10
Castro is a 39-year-old shortstop auditioning for a spot with the Dodgers.
He is a stellar defensive replacement, but last season hit just .198, primarily as a pinch hitter.
If he can show the capability to return to his 2009 form when he hit .277, then he will probably make this team.
Matt Stairs
2 of 10
At 32 years of age, Matt Stairs is trying to win a spot as a utility outfielder with the Washington Nationals.
During the last two seasons, Stairs has seen his at bats decrease and as a result, his numbers have decreased.
Even if the Nationals can't get Stairs consistent playing time, he has appeal as a bat off the bench that packs a lot of power.
Oh, and he bats left handed, which is a plus as a pinch hitter.
Anthony Reyes
3 of 10
Reyes was once considered a pitcher with a huge potential upside when he came up with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Now fighting for a contract with the Indians, Reyes has posted only one winning season and that was an injury shortened 2008.
Injuries have been the norm for Reyes, but the Indians are hoping he can regain the form that once made him one of the most promising prospects in baseball.
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Ruben Gotay
4 of 10
Gotay is a 28-year-old utility infielder trying to win a job with the Florida Marlins.
He last played in the majors in 2008, when he hit .235 in 102 at bats with the Atlanta Braves.
The Marlins would prefer to get the Gotay of 2007, who hit .295 with the Mets in 190 at bats.
A big plus for Gotay is that he is a switch hitter, which is a huge advantage for managers looking for a pinch hitter.
Willie Eyre
5 of 10
Eyre is a 32-year-old relief pitcher working out for the Oakland Athletics.
He is a career reliever with minimal experience, but he has been adequate in his time in the majors.
His career ERA is 5.18, but last season in 17 games, it was just 4.50.
Eyre could be a good middle reliever for the Athletics.
Josh Barfield
6 of 10
Barfield hasn't been a starter in the majors since 2007, and incidentally, hasn't really played in the majors since then.
He is an above average infielder who has shown the ability to hit for average.
Last year at Triple A, he hit .294 with five homers and could be an asset to the Phillies.
Dan Meyer
7 of 10
Meyer is another player fighting for a spot with the Phillies.
In the 2009 season, he had a 3.09 ERA and has the potential to be a lefty specialist out of the bullpen.
Pete Orr
8 of 10
Getting your Phillies Phix?
Orr is an infielder who has bounced around the National League East for most of his career.
He is a career .260 hitter with great speed.
Chien-Ming Wang
9 of 10
Wang actually has yet to sign a contract with anyone, but that's what makes it more likely that he will be a non-roster invitee.
He is a career 55-26 pitcher who is coming off a serious injury, which is the only reason he is having trouble getting a major league contract.
Somebody will undoubtedly want him.
Oscar Villareal
10 of 10
Villareal is a 29-year-old relief pitcher trying to make the Dodgers.
His career record is 24-15, to go along with a 3.86 ERA. However, he hasn't played in the majors since 2008.
That's due in part to his missing the 2009 season with Tommy John surgery, before spending 2010 in Triple A.
It's likely he will earn a spot.
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