LEAGUE NEWS / December 28, 2043
Winter desk: Phoenix adds Herrera and Barnes; Lehigh Valley signs Alford
The Saguaros’ December deals include two $610,000 signing bonuses, while Colorado makes three waiver claims.
Phoenix’s holiday-week business covered more than one part of the roster. The Saguaros signed reliever Ramon Herrera and shortstop Elliot Barnes on December 24, then added another bonus-backed minor league pitching deal the next day.
Herrera’s one-year contract is worth $9.64 million. He has a career 10–18 record, a 3.93 ERA and 14 saves. The league’s announcement said Phoenix officials expected him to fill an immediate roster need and strengthen the club’s playoff prospects; those are the team’s expectations, not a new result on the field.
Barnes signed for one year and $2.5 million. Phoenix also signed second baseman Matt Marris to a minor league contract with a major league option on December 24.
Two more relievers received matching signing bonuses: Gus Verdesoto’s December 22 minor league deal included $610,000, and Juan Barrera’s December 25 agreement carried the same bonus. The dates differed; the bonus checks did not.
Elsewhere, Lehigh Valley signed catcher Ethan Alford for one year and $2.4 million on December 24, and added second baseman Steve Milroy on a minor league contract with a major league option.
Colorado followed with three waiver claims on December 28: reliever Travis Carey from Jamaica, starter Israel Andrade from Motown and third baseman Willie Castro from Tijuana. Seattle claimed reliever Ozzie Santiago from Motown that day.