Galaxy Gas 2059.06 – Rafael Elias Added to Stars Roster

[DugoutDesperado]

In what has been a quiet free agency period for Valencia, the Stars organization made its first splash in the pool today by signing C Rafael Elias.

The Stars have been pretty strapped this off-season with only having a $2.3M budget to spend on free agents this off-season. Front office spokesperson/media consultant Barf Otto stated that getting another competent catcher added to the roster within these salary constraints was the team's top priority.

Rafael spent last season playing with Brooklyn hitting for a .224 average with 13 HR’s in 362 at bats. The 34 year-old switch -hitting catcher also provides another solid glove/arm behind the plate to go along with Luis Gonzales.

Rafael showed that he could play a majority of the time with getting into 115 games last season while garnering a 2.5 WAR. The Stars will be spending Spring Training figuring out the appropriate mix of playing time between these two players.

[BaseClogger]

That’s a lot of prior year WAR for such a slight investment.

[recte44]

awesome defensive catcher, if he just hits a little he's a solid player.

[DugoutDesperado]

Seemed similar to Luis Gonzales - about half the price but not quite as good behind the plate - still above average though.