OH, THE DAILY TRANSACTIONS

One of the first things I look forward to seeing each morning is the day's transactions. This time of year another reason to look at the moves is to see which of our Independent players who has gotten to the major leagues will keep his job. Soon it will be who is being elevated to the 40-man roster, which means an automatic invitation to major league spring training. That also strongly suggests that a player is well respected by the organization, and it does not want to take a chance on losing the player come the draft in early December.

I have several players in mind who could get promotions, but that will wait for another day.

We've already seen a few moves involving Independent "graduates".

The best sign, at least to this typist's thinking, comes for Chris Coste, who now has a lifetime major league average of .309, even though his first at bat came at age 33. Rod Barajas's presence in Philadelphia this spring probably kept Coste in the minors until midway in the season. Barajas has been released, so barring wintertime trades, that should put Coste in position of continuing to be the No. 2 catcher behind Carlos Ruiz. You should know by now that Coste spent five years in Independent leagues, the last four with his hometown Fargo (ND) Redhawks in the Northern League, before ever getting an opportunity with a major league organization.

Three players, all with Atlantic League ties, have been taken off major league rosters in the last few days, although at least two of them could get non-roster invitations to spring training. Jason Simontacchi (Bridgeport, CT as well as Springfield, OH of the Frontier League) was outrighted to Triple-A by Washington and the same fate befell Milwaukee outfielder Mel Stocker (Long Island, NY).

It should soon be known what will become of righthander Kane Davis, who has toiled for both Somerset and Camden, NJ in the Atlantic. He was with Philadelphia for the stretch drive, but the Phillies have designated him for assignment. That means he will either be released or will move to one of the Phils' minor league affiliates. It could be 10 days before the decision is known.

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