Russell Branyan signs another 1 year deal

[love_that_reefer]

The Diamondbacks have signed Russell Branyan to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training, reports SI.com's Jon Heyman (Twitter links). SI.com's Joe Lemire first reported that the slugger had found a job (on Twitter).

Branyan, 35, will certainly help replace some of the power lost when Mark Reynolds was traded away and Adam LaRoche signed with the Nationals. The 35-year-old is coming off two straight years with 25+ home runs, though he's also spent time on the disabled list with back issues each year. Branyan is a classic three true outcomes player; 47.2% of his 933 plate appearances over the last two seasons ended with strike three, ball four, or a jog around the bases.

Arizona was slated to have Brandon Allen and the out-of-options Juan Miranda battle it out for the first base job in Spring Training, but Branyan adds a veteran option to the group. Allen and Miranda have combined for just 266 plate appearances at the big league level, and all three players are left-handed hitters, so a platoon isn't possible.

This will be Branyan's fifth one-year contract in as many seasons. He is represented by ACES.

Branyan will like playing in the BOB or whatever they call it now but he will hate NL West pitching. Branyan will help in the power department but not as much as the article suggests. Branyan will have to play defense which might not bode well with his back problems. Towers grabs yet another one off the scarp heap but Branyan is better than most of the scrap.

[realmofotalk]

Nice. Another veteran first baseman to block Brandon Allen.

[missionhockey21]

I wonder if Branyan and Stairs ever go out for beers together.

"This guy. This guy here gets it!"

[Kingdom]

No, Stairs doesn't hang out with bums.

[love_that_reefer]

Nice. Another veteran first baseman to block Brandon Allen.

With the spring Branyan has had, its hard to say he's blocking anyone.