Michael Restovich

Remember Restovich? He was a 2nd round draft pick of the Twins, and for several years was right up there with Michael Cuddyer on the prospects list. But, prior to the 2005 season, the Twins had to make a decision on Restovich - he was out of options, and would have had to be placed on the 25-man roster to start the season or clear waivers to be sent to the minor leagues. I think the Twins made a mistake with that decision - they kept Corky Miller (remember him?) on the roster as a third catcher instead.

Restovich has had quite the odyssey since the spring of 2005*. First, he was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, on March 31, 2005. Then, 6 days later on April 6, 2005, he was claimed off waivers again, this time by the Colorado Rockies. He stayed in Colorado for a whopping 36 days before sent as part of a "conditional deal" (and I have no idea what the condition was) to the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he spent the rest of the year. They released him in November, and he was signed by the Chicago Cubs, with whom he spent last season. Now, there is word that he's signed with the Washington Nationals, and has been added to the 40-man roster because the Nationals are worried he'd be picked up by another team in the Rule 5 Draft.

I hope Restovich figures out how to succeed at the Major League level, and maybe Washington will provide the opportunity - after all, that isn't exactly a great franchise, and they have holes all over. I wish him the best.

* Transaction information by way of Baseball-Reference.com.