MIAMI -- On Wednesday, the Marlins announced the signing of veteran reliever Kerry Ligtenberg to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. If the right-hander makes the club, he will earn $600,000.

And when the Marlins signed free-agent veteran Pokey Reese last week, infielder Josh Wilson became expendable.

 

Wilson had been a candidate for the starting second base position vacated when three-time All-Star Luis Castillo was traded to the Twins. But on Wednesday, the Marlins designated Wilson for assignment.

 

Along with Wilson, the Marlins also designated catcher John Baker for assignment. After the two transactions, the Marlins' 40-man roster is at 40.

 

The 24-year-old Wilson was called up in September and saw limited action. He appeared in 11 games with the Marlins and had one hit in 10 at-bats. His lone hit was a double in the season finale, and he scored the game-winning run as the Marlins rallied past the Braves.

 

A shortstop at Triple-A Albuquerque, the Marlins had been working Wilson at second base, where he saw action in the Arizona Fall League. At Albuquerque, he hit .257 with 17 home runs and 82 RBIs.

 

With Wilson designated, the primary second base candidates are Reese and Dan Uggla, obtained in the December Rule 5 Draft.

 

Florida obtained Baker off waivers from Oakland on Dec. 15. The catching situation is shaping up where Josh Willingham will compete with Matt Treanor and Miguel Olivo.

 

Ligtenberg is a veteran setup reliever who was with the Diamondbacks last season. In seven games, he had a 13.97 ERA, giving up 15 runs in 9 2/3 innings.

 

Ligtenberg broke in with Atlanta in 1997. After five seasons there, he was with Baltimore in 2003 and Toronto in 2004 before spending time with Arizona last year.

This just fills me with warm fuzzy feelings.

That is suprising. So Josh Wilson is now behind Reese, Amazega, Uggla. Guess he is done as a Marlin.

That is suprising. So Josh Wilson is now behind Reese, Amazega, Uggla. Guess he is done as a Marlin.

 

 

And Andino.

Are they going to issue Ligtenberg's sideburns their own locker?

Well, at least is it only a minor league contract....so no reason to get too excited.

Are they going to issue Ligtenberg's sideburns their own locker?

 

 

They could have one for that and one for Alfonseca's extra finger(s). If he was still with the team at least.

Wilson isn't absolutely gone from the picture, I'm sure they'll assign him to AAA and he'll get the spring invite.

That is suprising. So Josh Wilson is now behind Reese, Amazega, Uggla. Guess he is done as a Marlin.

I would say that this is just a formality because he's the easiest one to designate. Wilson will most likely have the same chance to win the job that the other four will have. It'll still be five people fighting for two spots.

I won't be surprised to see other changes after Sunday night.

Wilson isn't absolutely gone from the picture, I'm sure they'll assign him to AAA and he'll get the spring invite.

 

That's what I think too. He's young, has some talent and would provide valuable depth at a position of weakness in our organization

BTW, Baker was picked up off waivers by the Athletics, the team who made him available in the first place.

I won't be surprised to see other changes after Sunday night.

 

 

What's the significance of Sunday night???

 

:mischief2

Wilson is definitely still a significant option...At worse, he may need to complete his transition to 2nd base in Triple A but he will be right back up to the big leagues again...It is just a numbers game to accomodate the 40 man roster.