Dodgers: Potential Non-Roster Invitee and Minor League Targets

There might be some names that are familiar to you in this group, and a few that are not so familiar.  There have been some minor league free agents that end up becoming solid major leaguers.  The recently traded Yangervis Solarte formerly of the Padres, now of the Blue Jays, is one player in recent memory who became a late-blooming MLBer after minor league free agency.  Again, these players will at least serve as AAA depth but may have more to offer.

CARLOS ALVARADO, RHRP

Alvarado was originally signed by the Tigers as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2009 at the age of 19.  Now 28, Alvarado has bounced around the minors a bit, spending last year with the Giants AA club.  At Richmond, Alvarado put up decent numbers, posting a 3.22 ERA, and a 1.330 WHIP, while averaging 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings.  Alvarado pitched 59 innings in 43 games, profiling as a multi-inning reliever.  Alvarado would be a nice arm to have available at AAA, and even more valuable, he has all three of his minor league options intact.

JEFF JOHNSON, RHRP

Johnson, a Thousand Oaks High school product, was drafted by the Indians out of college in 2011.  He steadily climbed the rungs of the Indians minor league system, but despite two solid years in AAA the past two seasons, Johnson never received the call to Cleveland.  Johnson had a spectacular 2015 in AA with 1.05 ERA with 27 saves in 51 games and followed that up 2.87 ERA and 1.294 WHIP in 2016.  In 2017, he regressed slightly with a 3.27 ERA, and a 1.473 WHIP, but struck out almost 11 batters per nine innings.  He’s also a guy who had Tommy John in 2014, so despite his age, 27, there still could be some upside with Johnson as his strikeout percentage is back to where his career average was prior to the TJ surgery.  Again, all minor league options remaining.  Another intriguing arm that could be stashed away at AAA.

JOSH ZEID, RHSP 

Hardcore baseball fans will remember Zeid as Team Israel’s star pitcher during the World Baseball Classic in 2017.  Zeid, 30, spent time in the majors with Houston in 2013-2014.  Zeid has been a versatile pitcher who can both start and relieve.  He has also shown he can step up on a big stage.  Zeid spent last year with the Cardinals AAA team and went 9-4 with a 5.19 ERA.  Zeid would offer Oklahoma City a veteran who could fill multiple roles for the pitching staff, as well as serve as an emergency arm who might be able to eat up some major league innings.  Zeid also has an option year remaining, which only adds to his value.

NEAL COTTS, LHRP

The former MLBer Cotts is a minor league free agent this year.  Cotts, now 37 and a veteran of 10 MLB seasons, spent this past season with the Nationals AAA team.  Cotts can still get batters out, as he struck out 57 in 48 innings over 52 games.  Surely, a low risk signing, if Cotts is willing to get stashed at AAA again next season.