10 most interesting non-roster invites
Baseball is back.
Pitchers and catchers reported to spring training on Thursday, with position players set to arrive in the next few days.
There will be some familiar faces showing up in different uniforms this year, with a number of them having to earn employment on non-guaranteed deals.
Here are 10 of the most interesting non-roster invites to keep an eye on this spring.
Felix Hernandez, SP, Orioles
| IP | ERA | FIP | WHIP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Career | 2729.2 | 3.42 | 3.52 | 1.21 |
It's been close to a year since King Felix stepped foot on a major-league mound after the 34-year-old opted out of the 2020 regular season. He's not the same pitcher of old, but the Orioles signed the 2010 American League Cy Young winner to a low-risk deal. The club will look for the right-hander to provide stability to an inexperienced rotation.
Brandon Morrow, RP, Dodgers
| IP | WPA | FIP | K/9 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Career | 859 | 2.93 | 3.77 | 9.2 |
The last time Morrow suited up in a Dodgers uniform, he pitched in the 2017 World Series. Since then, the California native has battled injuries, last appearing in a big-league game in July 2018. When healthy, Morrow has a track record of success; he recorded the lowest ERA among relievers with 80 innings between 2016-18, according to FanGraphs. There's a chance he ends up being a steal for L.A.
Jed Lowrie, 2B, Athletics
| PA | 2B | RBI | OPS+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Career | 4500 | 259 | 509 | 105 |
The A's will try to strike gold with Lowrie again after the 2018 All-Star struggled through two injury-plagued seasons with the Mets. The 36-year-old underwent knee surgery in October, but will look for another productive campaign with the A's in his third stint with the club. Lowrie owns a .271/.341/.413 slash line with 60 homers, 172 doubles, and 320 RBIs in green and gold.
Dee Strange-Gordon, 2B, Reds
| PA | OPS+ | SB | WAR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 82 | 39 | 3 | -0.3 |
| Career | 4104 | 89 | 333 | 12.3 |
Strange-Gordon's 2020 campaign was a disaster, with the speedster's .482 OPS ranking 344th out of 352 players with 80 plate appearances, according to FanGraphs. Regardless, the Reds signed the versatile 32-year-old, who will compete for a utility role. Strange-Gordon has experience at four different positions and adds an element of quickness to a Reds club that only had five players with sprint speeds above league average last season.
Renato Nunez, 1B, Tigers
| PA | HR | RBI | OPS+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 216 | 12 | 31 | 121 |
| Career | 1107 | 52 | 147 | 103 |
The Tigers were in the market for a first baseman and somehow landed Nunez on a minor-league deal. The 26-year-old was arguably Baltimore's best hitter the past two seasons and should provide Detroit with solid power at the plate. The Venezuelan ranked among the AL's 20 best players in isolated power (.236) and slugging percentage (.492) last season.
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, Braves
| PA | HR | RBI | OPS+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020* | 94 | 1 | 6 | 54 |
| Career | 4966 | 149 | 628 | 111 |
* w/ Giants and Braves
Kung Fu Panda is still kicking it. Sandoval re-signed with the Braves after a brief stint with the club in 2020. The 34-year-old can still hit, which is evident by his 2019 resurgence with the Giants (113 OPS+), but his inconsistency at the plate and in the field likely means he'll be a bench piece with the National League East champions.
Wade Davis, RP, Royals
| IP | WPA | SV | K/9 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4.1 | -0.60 | 2 | 6.2 |
| Career | 947.2 | 12.4 | 139 | 8.5 |
It's been five years since Wade Davis last suited up for the Royals, and a lot has changed. The 35-year-old went from being one of the league's most dependable late-inning arms to getting released by the Rockies in September after posting a 9.77 ERA over the past two seasons. He's a worthwhile sign for the Royals, who have found success in recent years with Greg Holland and Trevor Rosenthal - similar reclamation projects.
Brandon Kintzler, RP, Phillies
| IP | ERA | HLD | SV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 24.1 | 2.22 | 1 | 12 |
| Career | 448.2 | 3.31 | 85 | 61 |
Kintzler is the latest addition to a revamped bullpen that was historically bad in 2020. The 36-year-old turned down a big-league deal, including guaranteed money, with the Miami Marlins after former teammate Bryce Harper sold him on playing with the Phillies. Kintzler finished with 12 saves last season, which was more than all of the relievers in Philadelphia combined.
Jay Bruce, OF, Yankees
| PA | HR | RBI | OPS+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 103 | 6 | 14 | 88 |
| Career | 6603 | 318 | 948 | 108 |
Bruce is finally a Yankee after New York tried several times to acquire him in the past. The 33-year-old isn't an All-Star anymore, but he will provide New York with a left-handed bat off the bench capable of taking advantage of Yankee Stadium's short right-field porch.
Gerardo Parra, OF, Nationals
| PA | AVG | OPS | DRS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020* | 178 | .272 | .688 | N/A |
| Career | 5183 | .276 | .727 | 62 |
* w/ Japan's Yomiuri Giants
Cue up "Baby Shark" because Parra returns to the Nationals for the 2021 campaign after an underwhelming season in Japan. The 33-year-old outfielder played above average defense during Washington's 2019 World Series run, but his true value came off the field. Parra provided the fun and instilled confidence in the clubhouse while the fan base embraced his captivating energy.