In addition to the numerous signings of arbitration-eligible players and sprinkling of free agent acquisitions, scores of players signed minor league deals in the last month. While I don't think it necessary to comment upon every one of these transactions, there are a handful that are slightly more interesting than the rest, so I have selected a cross-section of signings to review here today. If there are any further minor league deals that you would like to see discussed, please drop me a note, and I will try to fit them in at some point in the next two weeks.

National League

Keith Lockhart and Dan Wheeler both signed minor league deals with the Braves. Lockhart has played for the Braves over the last several years now and managed around a hundred at-bats in each of the last few seasons. With Rafael Furcal healthy, there will be fewer opportunities for infield at bats. Mark DeRosa and Jesse Garcia are already on the 40-man roster, so they will likely be ahead of Lockhart in the pecking order, but I would still expect him to be up at some point during the year.

Wheeler, a former Devil Rays' prospect, appears to know how to pitch, but doesn't seem to have the "stuff" to really succeed in the majors. He split 99 IP between AA, AAA, and the majors last season and accumulated 63 K and only 22 BB. However, he also allowed a total of 16 home runs. He might see some time in the pen if Atlanta has some injury problems, but despite the fact he's only 24, I don't really expect him to develop into anything other than a decent pitching coach.

The Chicago Cubs signed Alan Benes to a minor league deal. Alan has had a lot of injury problems in his career but has shown some promise when occasionally healthy. He likely won't make an appearance on the Cubs unless they suffer an injury or two, although he might wind up as a spot starter or bullpen replacement. If they give him a couple months in the AAA, he might be able to re-establish some of his pre-injury skills and could be a nice bargain.

Jimmy Haynes and Brian Bohanon signed minor league deals with Cincinnati. Both should be in the Reds' rotation mix, and one or both might stick. Bohanon has a much better shot at putting up decent numbers, as his skills were likely obscured by his recent time in Coors, while Haynes' number one use is as an innings' eater and the organization has better alternatives.

Colorado has signed a number of players to minor league contracts including C Carlos Hernandez, OF Cliff Brumbaugh, and pitchers Carlos Almanzar, Chris Holt, and Chris Nichting. Given the Rockies previously discussed problems with Ben Petrick, Hernandez has a shot at some time behind the plate. The team signed Tony Eusebio to a major league contract, but he has reportedly gained more than a little weight and will need to take that off during Spring Training. Brumbaugh is a decent candidate for a fifth outfielder, but as Mark Little is already on the roster, he will likely have to wait for a call-up.

The pitchers give them some additional depth, always useful in Coors. Nichting, while old, likely has the best skills of the set and could see a call-up to the pen at some point, even if they already have more quality pitchers rostered than they can carry into the season. Holt still has starting potential but will likely need to prove himself at AAA Colorado Springs or have a great Spring Training to bump one of the other starters off the roster. Almanzar is probably the least likely of the three to see major league time this season, which is likely better for his reputation as I strongly doubt he would flourish at that altitude.

Florida signed Billy McMillon to a minor league deal. McMillion has a very good shot at grabbing a fifth outfielder's slot on the Marlins. If he has a good Spring Training, I'd expect him to make the team and stick for the majority of the season.

The Dodgers have been prolific in their minor league signings but Mike Kinkade is by far their best acquisition. Kinkade should unquestionably make the roster as a utilityman who can play every position including catcher except CF and SS. His pinch-hitting skills and flexibility make him one of the best 25th men in the game. LA's other minor league signings include outfielders Roberto Kelly and Mark Whiten, and pitchers Ricky Bones, Robert Ellis, Mike Johnson, and Todd Williams. While Kelly and Whiten have both seen significant amounts of major league time in the past, they aren't likely to see it again with younger and better rostered players rightfully blocking them.

Of the four pitchers, Todd Williams likely has the best shot at contributing to the pen, but the Dodgers would probably need to suffer injuries to make that happen given their overall pitching depth. The rest will likely spend the majority of the season at AAA, though they could have considerable success at that level.

Lyle Mouton signed a minor league deal with Montreal. Mouton is probably a better option than Mark Smith for a fifth outfielder, but it should be made very clear to the Expos' manager that if Mouton makes the team, he should not take at-bats away from Brad Wilkerson. Unless they sign someone else in the next month, both Mouton and Smith may make the roster as reserve outfielders.

The New York Mets signed Darren Bragg to a minor league contract. While Bragg is a decent pick for a fifth outfielder, the Mets really have better options that offer more overall roster flexibility. Barring an injury at the major league level, he will probably spend the majority of the year at AAA with Timo Perez. If New York's lucky, he might be a good influence on Perez.

Relief pitchers Brian Boehringer, Wayne Gomes, and Al Reyes all signed minor league deals with Pittsburgh. Although the Pirates' rotation is a more than a little shaky, the team likely already has a full bullpen with rostered players. However, these three pitchers offer a lot of depth for the team in case of injury or ineffectiveness of one of the major league pitchers.

San Diego made two great minor league signings in Ron Gant and Steve Reed. Gant provides them with a ready and waiting replacement for Bubba Trammell should they decide to trade him or receive an offer they can't refuse. Reed should immediately join the bullpen, though Bochy will need to be careful not to let him pitch against lefties as Reed's basically a righty-specialist.

If San Francisco could look past his weight problem, Angel Pena might be the best minor league signing of the bunch. They've already signed Scott Servais while retaining Benito Santiago and Edwards Guzman. Pena should receive a long look in Spring Training but will need to impress defensively to secure a roster spot. If he doesn't make the team, he could go all the way down to AA, as Yorvit Torrealba needs the AAA playing time. Pena has a very good bat, but he really needs a chance to show it off in the majors.

I'll cover a sampling of the American League minor league signings tomorrow after any other new developments.