The offseason in the US has begun. But not only on the Major League level players look for new opportunities. Baseball America published a list of Minor League free agents on Tuesday. The Dutch left-hander Alexander Smit is among the 536 players, who were granted free agency on November 9th.
Smit was signed by the Minnesota Twins in 2002. He made his professional debut one year later and was claimed by the Cincinnati Reds organization in 2007, where he played since. In seven seasons of Minor League ball he had a 33-31 record with an ERA of 3.43 in 157 games (86 starts). He struck out 621 batters (270 walks) in 559 2/3 innings.
In 2009 Smit started the year with the Dutch National Team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, where he appeared in four games, allowing two hits and three walks in 3 1/3 innings. Afterwards he made 21 appearances (10 starts) for the Carolina Mudcats in the Southern League with an ERA of 3.04, before an injury interrupted his season.
Smit pitched in five more games this summer, rehabbing in the Gulf Coast League and Florida State League. In the IBAF Baseball World Cup in September he started twice, going 1-0 with an ERA of 3.72 and seven strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings, walking six. We’ll keep you updated, whether he will resign or find another team.
The Minor League free agent list also includes Valentino Pascucci (San Diego Padres), who played for Italy during the World Baseball Classic. Among Major League free agents, Andruw Jones (2009: Texas Rangers) and Sidney Ponson (Kansas City Royals) looking for new jobs.
