So, I was looking through the minor league free agent list. The most surprising name on it (at least to me): Aaron Guiel. Yes, that Aaron Guiel. One time Yankee, who last I heard was in Japan, playing for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows (and was something of a star there, as I understand it).
Apparently, he came back and signed a minor league deal with the Royals, though he doesn't seem to have actually played in any games. He's 40 years old now.
Other one-time Yankees on the list:
Brett Tomko, released by the Reds, then signed by the Diamondbacks.
Speedy outfielder Greg Golson, who was with the White Sox.
Lance Pendleton, Yankees fourth round draft pick, who spent this season with the Tampa Rays AAA team.
Andrew Brackman, Yankees first round draft pick, is also a minor league free agent now. I really think getting a major league contract right away was bad for his development. The Yankees were forced to release him, because he was out of options but not ready for the big leagues. A Cincinnati boy, he signed with the Reds, but struggled so much in AAA they ended up sending him down to high A. Where he put up a 5.52 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP.
And among the Toronto Blue Jays minor league free agents is on Paul Phillips. That's Andy Phillips' first cousin. After 14 years in pro baseball, he's calling it a career. He's following Andy's footsteps and becoming a college coach, though it will be at Lipscomb University, not Alabama.
Labels: Aaron Guiel, Lance Pendleton
