DePriest released
March 20, 2008 by Jason Guarente
The Mexican League season opened without P Derrick DePriest Wednesday.
The former Barnstormers reliever was released earlier this week. DePriest had an interesting time south of the border. 
He was signed by the Mexico City Diablos in January, but didn’t last long with that club. During spring training, he was loaned to the Nuevo Laredo Tecelotes before being cut two days before the start of the season.
As we saw with OF Quincy Foster, competition for jobs is fierce in Mexico. Teams are only allowed to keep four foreign-born players and many ex-big leaguers want to play in that league because the pay is much higher than American independent leagues. Guys like Foster and DePriest are often pushed aside for better-known alternatives.
What’s next for DePriest? He expects to return to the Atlantic League. The submarine-throwing righthander was the best closer in indy ball last season, posting a 1.06 ERA and .175 batting average against in 51 games for the Barnstormers.
Based on my conversations regarding Atlantic League rules — and we’re always treading in murky territory when it comes to this league and rules — the Barnstormers no longer own DePriest’s rights. He can sign with any team he chooses.
Combing through the Mexican League rosters is always interesting because you’ll invariably see some names that are blasts from the past.
Here are some ex-Atlantic Leaguers now toiling in Mexico:
Bridgeport
Willis Otanez, Rojos del Aguila de Veracruz
Matt Perisho, Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo
Andy Shibilo, Tigres de Quintana Roo
Lancaster
*Brad Voyles, Pericos de Puebla
Dionys Cesar, Vaqueros Laguna
Long Island
Donny Leon, Pericos de Puebla
Jose Offerman, Rojos del Aguila de Veracruz
Manny Martinez, Rojos del Aguila de Veracruz
Jose Leon, Tigres de Quintana Roo
Somerset
Derek Lee, Sultanes de Monterrey
York
Danny Bautista, Diablos Rojos del Mexico
*signed with team but never played because of injury
By the way, Tecelotes de Nuevo Laredo sports one of the great logos in minor league baseball …
Is that fearsome or what? You don’t want to mess with those guys.
ALB.com reports that Somerset has re-signed DH Josh Pressley, who had been in camp with the Marlins. So they can cue up the Elvis music at the Clip.
Pressley is a valuable offensive player with a .380 on-base percentage and more walks than strikeouts. That’s a pretty good lineup they’re building in Bridgewater, N.J.
I personally hope he chooses the Barnstormers. We need a closer and he proved himself last year as lights out.
I could always throw in a couple of Pecan Pies for him if negotiations slow down.
This would be great news if we can sign him.
Ducks re-sign Carl Everett. Link here.
I guess it is no surprise that Jose Offerman is playing in Mexico.
Sadly they are not the late, lamented Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos, a unique multi-national outfit playing on both sides of the border.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tecolotes_de_los_Dos_Laredos
Too many holes in the outfield fences, I guess.
Indians have sent Aaron Herr to minor league camp.
Willis Otanez?????
He must be pretty old. I remember when he played CF and 1B for the Phillies!
….. oh that was Willie Montanez
they really need to change the foreign player limits… this is really ridiculous! let him play!
Falcon–Do you really hunt with falcons? Thats Awesome!!!!
I just started hunting this year, mainly upland game. It’s one of the best decisions I ever made. I didn’t realized how much I missed the woods.
Baseball comment:
I’m glad to see Everett still in this league. He’s one old pimp. I think his music up to the plate should be Barry Whites “Never, Never Gonna Give You Up”