There were a boatload of minor league signings and small procedural moves in October.  Other than making a single entry for all of them, I’m gonna list them together here, and date them.  Figure that’s a better move than creating individual entries for each.

• P Matt West activated from 60 day DL (Oct 9)
• OF Jeff Baker designated for assignment (Oct 9) – elected free agency (Oct 14)
• P Edward Cabrera claimed off waivers from Colorado Rockies (Oct 16)
• P Kyle Lotzkar signed to minor league contract (Oct 19)
• P Aaron Poreda signed to minor league contract w/invite to spring (Oct 23)
• P Eddy Morrobel signed to minor league contract (Oct 26)
• OF Cristian Encarnacion signed to minor league contract (Oct 29)
• P Colby Lewis activated from 60 day DL (Oct 31)
• DH Lance Berkman elected free agency (Oct 31)

NOTES: Most of these are minor league signings, the bulk of which I wonder if I’ll ever write their names on this site again.  Jeff Baker’s DFA was a bit of a surprise, he was a decent off the bench cog, I thought.

Lance Berkman’s taking free agency is no big surprise here.   The bigger surprise will be if he does NOT retire after this move.  I don’t dislike the guy, but he didn’t really do much here save for the earliest part of the 2013 season.

• OF Joey Butler claimed on waivers by St. Louis Cardinals

NOTE: Well, I didn’t hate the guy, but he wasn’t one of those moves that makes you go “Noooooooooo” when he’s gone.  Hope he does well in STL

• 1B Chris McGuiness activated
• P Wilmer Font activated
• P Roman Mendez activated
• P Josh Lindblom had his roster status changed

NOTE: Now that the season is over, various procedural moves were made today. That last one was odd.  “had his roster status changed”.  Huh?  What’s that all about.  Overall comment..  zzzzzzzz

• OF Nelson Cruz activated from suspended restricted list.
• OF Joey Butler designated for assignment [ Link ]

NOTES:  Since we get to play a Game 163, it means Nelson Cruz is eligible to come off the restricted list to play.   To make room on the 40 man roster for that, we had to designate Joey Butler.   Now I’m writing this a couple of days after this actually happened, so I know what happened. We lost that game.

It has to suck for Joey Butler, I suppose, losing one’s 40 man spot to make room for Nelson Cruz’ return from a steroids suspension when Cruz goes 0-4 with a strikeout, and we lose the game and the season is over.

• P Alexi Ogando activated from DL

NOTES: Well, Ogando is back again.   Don’t hold out a lot of hope that it will go well.  He’s been spotty this year at best.  Had a few moments here and there of greatness, but has mostly been meh/hurt.

• OF Engel Betre recalled from AAA
• OF Joey Butler recalled from AAA
• OF Ross Wolf recalled from AAA
• OF Joe Benson outrighted to AAA [ Link ]

NOTES: While this isn’t part of the initial big glut of callups on Sep 1st, we did add a few more players on Sep 3rd, that can only really be viewed as “Additional September Insurance”.  None of these guys were DEMANDING (by performance) to be with the big club.  :)

Well, here’s the usual gaggle of rookie callups, broken veterans who will get like two at bats all month, you know the drill.  It’s the September 1st pile of roster moves.  Here goes:

• DH Lance Berkman activated from DL
• P Cory Burns recalled from AAA
• C Robinson Chirinos recalled from AAA
• P Nick Tepesch activated from DL
• CF Jim Adduci purchased from AAA
• P Neftali Feliz activated from DL
• P Michael Kirkman activated from DL
• CF Joe Benson designated for assignment
• P Justin Miller released [ Link ]

NOTES:  Quite a few guys coming off the DL in this group.  Nothing really a surprise. Extra catcher as a backup, some extra bullpen help.   Feliz finally takes the field in 2013…  The biggest surprise was the purchasing of Jim Adduci.   He’s 28, and has been bouncing around the minors for awhile.  Be nice to see the kid get a shot. Hopefully he can turn it into more than just a September callup and done.

• P Smokin’ Joe Ortiz recalled from AAA
• P Ross Wolf optioned to AAA [ Link ]

NOTES: Yawn.

There were several small moves over a few days, I was going to lump together into one post here.   None require a huge amount of commentary, IMO.  :)

• SS Brendan Harris signed for the rest of 2013, assigned to AAA (Aug 21)
• P Neil Ramirez traded to Chicago Cubs to complete trade for Matt Garza (Aug 23)
• P Nick Tepesch & Matt West sent on rehab assignments (AA & AZL respectively – Aug 27)

• P Travis Blackley recalled from AAA
• P Alexi Ogando placed on 15 day DL, retro to Aug 14
• P Matt West recalled from A and placed on 60 day DL [ Link ]

NOTES: Travis Blackley was recalled from AAA after being assigned there a week ago when we got him on a trade.  The corresponding roster moves from the 25 man were to put Ogando on the DL (again?), and a procedural move with A ball pitcher Matt West going on the 60 day DL.

Curious to see what Blackley has.  As I said, one doesn’t think a contending club would import pitching from the worst team in the majors.