Several NECBL alumni who saw action in the Major Leagues last year changed teams during a busy offseason.  Here is a quick guide to the alumni who will be donning different uniforms in 2014.

Name-Position-Old Team-New Team-Deal

Andrew Bailey (Pictured)-RHP-Boston- New York Yankees- Minor League deal

Bailey had a 3-1 record, eight saves and a 3.77 ERA with the World Champions last season.  He was inducted into the NECBL Hall of Fame this past November.  As a Mill City All-American in 2004, Bailey led the New England League in strikeouts.

Mitchell Boggs-RHP-Colorado-Chicago White Sox- One year deal

Boggs had a 3.12 ERA and no decisions in nine games for the Rockies in 2013.  He was recently inducted into Newport’s Hall of Fame, thanks to a 2004 summer where he went 4-0 with a 0.91 ERA while striking out 45 batters in just 29.2 innings

Brian Bogusevic-OF-Chicago Cubs-Miami Marlins-Trade

Bogusevic hit .273 and slugged .463 in 47 games with Chicago, a remarkable improvement from a 2012 where he struggled at Houston.  The former first round pick- as a pitcher- hit .320 with eight doubles as a 2003 Danbury Westerner.

Rajai Davis-OF-Toronto-Detroit-2 year Deal

The former Middletown Giant ranked second in the American League with 45.  It was his second straight season with 45 swipes and the second straight time he was runner-up.  Davis, who also hit .260, is 14th among active players with 268 steals.

Cole Gillespie- OF- Chicago Cubs

The former North Adams SteepleCat had a .294 on base percentage in 28 games for the Chicago Cubs last season.

Ryan Hanigan-C-Cincinnati Reds-Tampa Bay Rays-Trade

As a Ray, Hanigan will now make three trips a year to Fenway Park, located just 25 miles south of his alma mater Andover High.  In 75 games for the Reds, 2001 Lowell All-American Hanigan walked more than he struck out and had 10 extra base hits.  He caught Homer Bailey’s no-hitter last season. 

Bryan LaHair-1B-Fukuoka-Cleveland- Minor League Contract

A National League All-Star for the Cubs in 2012, Worcester’s LaHair played the 2013 season for Fukuoka in the Japanese Pacific Major League.  He hit .230 with 16 homers and 57 RBI; both the round trippers and RBI ranked in the League’s top 20.

Blake Lalli- 1B- Milwaukee-Arizona- Minor League Contract

The former Vermont Mountaineer appeared in 16 games for the Brewers last season.

Steve Lombardozzi INF Washington-Detroit-Trade

The 2008 Holyoke Blue Sock joins his father’s old division- Steve Sr. won a World Series with the 1987 Twins.  The junior Lombardozzi hit .259 with 18 extra base hits, and made just three errors in 48 games at second base, during the 2013 season.

Joe Martinez-RHP-Cleveland

Martinez, who ranked second in starts and strikeouts for the 2003 Danbury Westerners, allowed just one earned run and four base runners in five innings for the 2013 Wild Card winning Tribe.

Joe Nathan-RHP-Texas-Detroit- 2 year deal

The 1994 NECBL Defensive Player of the Year as a power hitting shortstop for the Fairfield Stallions, Nathan went to his sixth All-Star game in 2013.  He is baseball’s all-time active, and 10th all time, saves leader with 341 and was inducted into the NECBL’s Hall of Fame this past November.

Ryan Reid-RHP-Pittsburgh-NY Mets- Waiver claim

The versatile Reid won the NECBL’s 10th Man Award in 2005, for his success on the mound and in the batter’s box.  He debuted for Pittsburgh on June 3rd, posting a 1.64 ERA in seven games for the Bucs.

Kevin Slowey-RHP-Miami

The NECBL’s Top Pitcher of 2004, the one time Sanford Mainer and Comeback Player of the Year candidate had a 3-6 record and 4.11 ERA in 20 appearances for the Fish.  Slowey walked just 18 in 92 innings.

Joe Smith-RHP-Cleveland- L.A. Angels- 3 year deal

The former North Adams SteepleCat signed a three year deal with Los Angeles after three excellent years in Cleveland.  As an Indian, Smith made at least 70 appearances each season, compiling a 2.42 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP.