Offseason in the United States always also means surviving time for Europe’s minor leaguers. In the last couple of days two have entered the open market. One of the Dutch heroes in Panama, Shairon Martis, became a minor league free agent. The 24-year-old right-hander, who has an ERA of 5.33 in 20 games in Major League Baseball, spent the whole 2010 season with the Double A affiliate of the Washington Nationals in Harrisburg. He went 8-6 with an ERA of 3.05 in 23 starts. He struck out 146 batters in 133 innings, walking 39. His seven-year contract with the Nats ran out and he will look to find a new employer in pro baseball.
21-year-old Italian left-hander Luca Panerati was released by the Cincinnati Reds last week. The Grosseto native spent four seasons in professional baseball. In 2011 he mostly played for the Dayton Dragons in the Midwest League. In 17 games in Single A he was 1-1 with an ERA of 4.15. He struck out 25 batters in 34 2/3 innings, walking 9. Overall he has a career ERA of 4.59 in 52 games, splitting time at the Rookie and Single A levels. It is going to be difficult to find a new team in the US and he probably will return to the Italian Baseball League.