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Minor moves: Brendan Harris, Kelvin De La Cruz, Chris Valaika, Matt Kennelly

A collection of Monday's minor moves from around the league.

By Chris Cotillo
USA TODAY Sports

In addition to the five major league signings on Monday, a slew of minor leaguers found new homes. Here's a recap:

  • The Chicago Cubs signed infielder Chris Valaika to a minor league contract with a spring training invite, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. The 28-year old hit .219 with 1 HR and 9 RBI in 22 games with the Marlins in 2013, bringing his career average to .244 in 55 major league games with the Reds and Marlins.
  • The Cardinals signed catcher Ed Easley to a minor league deal, according to a team announcement. The soon-to-be 28-year old was drafted 61st overall in the 2007 draft by the Diamondbacks, but did not reach the majors in seven seasons with the organization. For his minor league career, Easley is a lifetime .262 hitter who hit .334 with 6 HR and 49 RBI in 87 games for Triple-A Reno in 2013.
  • The Dodgers added infielder Brendan Harris on a minor league deal with a spring training invite, a source confirms. MLBTradeRumors.com's Tim Dierkes was first to report the signing. Harris, 33, is a lifetime .256 hitter with 33 HR and 167 RBI in eight major league seasons with six different teams. He saw 44 games of major league action in 2013, hitting .206 before electing free agency in July and spending the rest of the season with the Yankees and Rangers Triple-A affiliates.
  • The Braves have signed catcher Matt Kennelly to a minor league contract with a spring training invite, a source confirms. Kennelly, who is entering his age-25 season, was with the Braves' organization since 2007 before being released and signing with the Reds early in the 2013 season. In seven minor league seasons, the Aussie is a lifetime .243 hitter with 19 HR and 151 RBI.
  • The Orioles have signed left-hander Kelvin De La Cruz to a major league contract, according to an announcement from the team. The 25-year old has never appeared in the majors, so the Orioles are taking a risk on him similar to how the Royals signed catcher Francisco Pena to a major league contract over the weekend. De La Cruz pitched with the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate in 2013, posting a 3-1 record and 2.89 ERA in 47 relief appearances. He has spent time in the Indians, Tigers and Dodgers systems, and will likely make his major league debut as a member of the O's bullpen in the spring.
  • In addition to De La Cruz, the Orioles also signed left-hander Nick Additon, outfielders K.D. Kand and Chih-Hsieh Chiang and right-handers Brock Huntzinger and Tim Alderson to minor league deals. None of the five have major league experience.
  • The Diamondbacks signed Ryan Rowland-Smith to a minor league deal, as discussed here. A source notes that the Aussie had three offers on the table, and that the Red Sox expressed at least some interest in bringing him back.
  • The Dodgers signed first baseman Clint Robinson to a minor league deal with a spring training invite, as we first reported last night.

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