2012 Quarry Unlimited - Aaron Cook

The Phillies added two more non-roster invitees to their growing list last week, bringing the tally up to 12 players hoping to head north at the end of March.  Aaron Cook, who had just a plain awful season last year with the Red Sox and Juan Cruz, not to be confused with former Phillie Juan Perez, join the recently signed Rodrigo Lopez as veteran rightys who will get an extended look in Clearwater.

Cook spent the first 10 years of his career with the Rockies before signing with the Red Sox prior to the '12 season.  In 18 starts, he went 4-11 with a 5.65 ERA.  Over the past three seasons, he's 13-29 in 58 starts with a 5.54 ERA.  This is what is referred to as a low risk, high reward signing and if Cook can return to his All-Star form of 2008, everyone will be happy.  (Everyone except maybe Tyler Cloyd and John Lannan who are both hoping to earn the fifth spot in the rotation.)

Much to the disappointment (I'm sure) of the fans in Section 36, it appears as if Cook never received a proper Red Sox baseball card to memorialize his time in Boston.  This gave me a great excuse to feature a card from the fantastic, and comprehensive, 2012 Quarry Unlimited custom set created by the Cards from the Quarry blog.  If you haven't already checked out this awesome project, click here, and make sure you have a good half hour or so to browse the complete set.  You should also take the time to vote for your choice of the top 10 cards from the set.  I sincerely hope this project makes a return appearance in 2013.

Cruz has bounced around since 2001, pitching with the Cubs, Braves, A's, Diamondbacks, Royals, Rays and Pirates.  The Pirates released him in August last season after he refused to report to AAA following his demotion.  In 43 games with the Pirates, he pitched to a respectable 2.78 ERA over 35 2/3 innings.

Player (position) - 2012 Organization - Last Major Cardboard Appearance

1.  Steven Lerud (c) - Phillies - 2004 Bowman #160 (Pirates)

2.  Michael Martinez (inf) - Phillies - 2012 Topps #64 (Phillies)

3.  Pete Orr (inf) - Phillies - 2008 Topps Update #UH72 (Nationals)

4.  Cesar Jimenez (lhp) - Mariners - 2009 Upper Deck #857 (Mariners)

5.  Zach Miner (rhp) - Tigers - 2009 O-Pee-Chee #314 (Tigers)

6.  Humberto Quintero (c) - Royals/Marlins/Brewers - 2012 Topps #590 (Astros)

7.  Andres Blanco (inf) - Phillies - 2007 Topps #659 (Royals)

8.  Josh Fields (3b) - Dodgers - 2010 Topps #387 (Royals)

9.  Jermaine Mitchell (of) - Athletics - 2012 Bowman Platinum Prospects Autographs #JM (Athletics)

10.  Rodrigo Lopez (rhp) - Cubs - 2007 Topps #348 (Rockies)

11.  Juan Cruz (rhp) - Pirates - 2012 Topps Update #US36 (Pirates)

12.  Aaron Cook (rhp) - Red Sox - 2011 Topps #230 (Rockies)