The Trials and Tribulations of Russ Canzler (and other notes from around the O's system)

As Orioles fans, we have sort of come to expect Dan Duquette to approach things in an unconventional way. All seemed quiet at the Warehouse when the international signing period opened on July 2, until the Orioles became the first team to use international signing bonus slots in a trade, sending bonus slots to Chicago along with Pedro Strop and Jake Arrieta for Scott Feldman. On Saturday, the Orioles again used a bonus slot in a deal with the Mariners to obtain corner infielder/outfielder Alex Liddi. The Orioles sent their number two slot to the Mariners, while the Orioles acquired the Mariners number three slot. The number three slot received from the Mariners is worth about $40,000 more than the number three slot sent to Chicago in the Feldman deal, if you're curious. Liddi, 24, is the first Italian born player to play major league baseball and will join 2013 draftee, Creighton grad and Veronese Federico Castagnini as the organization's Garibaldi Guard. So, who says the Orioles aren't playing in the international market?

Space opened for Liddi with the Yankees' acquisition of Travis Ishikawa and then the subsequent DFA of Russ Canzler. Brief note on Canzler. He had a solid run of form with the Norfolk Tides after losing out in the battle for the last 25 man roster spot to Steve Pearce. Canzler hit five homers in April, but has only hit six since. Since the close of the 2012 season, Canzler has been claimed off of waivers four times (Blue Jays, Indians, Yankees and Orioles). There's a pretty good chance he'll get claimed a fifth time.

Elsewhere around the system, the Frederick Keys announced the release of RHP Tom Winegardner. Riverdale Baptist alum Winegardner began his professional career as an infielder in 2011, but initiated an attempt to make the switch to relief pitching last year. Winegardner's second career got off to a promising start, but he hit a brick wall when he reached Frederick. The St. Leonard native appeared in fourteen games, walking fourteen and striking out eleven.

The Bundys' bad year continues...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/OccupyEutawSt">@OccupyEutawSt</a> Believe he had another procedure, apparently not even close to pitching yet.</p>&mdash; Steve Melewski (@masnSteve) <a href="https://twitter.com/masnSteve/statuses/354645401707610112">July 9, 2013</a></blockquote>

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...but things are looking up for Ashur Tolliver:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/jhader17">@jhader17</a> thanks brother! Keep doing your thing!</p>&mdash; Ashur Tolliver (@ayTollie24) <a href="https://twitter.com/ayTollie24/statuses/353724044157267969">July 7, 2013</a></blockquote>

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