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SEA DOGS NOTEBOOK

Not all Sea Dogs go to Fenway

By Kevin Thomas Maine Sunday Telegram

We write often about former Sea Dogs who make it to Fenway Park. But that obviously is a small percentage. Others are traded, leave when they become free agents, or haven't made it out of the minors.

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DEFYING THE ODDS: Boston Red Sox outfielder Ryan Kalish is the most recent success story to make the jump from Double-A Portland to the major leagues. Many of his former teammates have been traded, left when they become free agents, or simply haven’t made it out of the minors.

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Where are they now?

Here a look at eight former Sea Dogs and what they're up to.

Argenis Diaz, 23, was once considered a sure-bet major league shortstop when he came to Portland. And how he is, for now.

Diaz was promoted to the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 31 and is batting .280 in 13 games. Diaz made his official debut when he was called up for two games in April, but he was only filling in.

Now he could stay.

Diaz arrived in Portland midway through the 2008 season with the reputation as a defensive whiz. He made spectacular plays but the Red Sox were concerned with his inconsistency on routine balls.

He was traded to the Pirates last July in the Adam LaRoche deal (Boston later dealt LaRoche to Atlanta for Casey Kotchman, and eventually traded Kotchman to Seattle for Bill Hall).

Brandon Moss, 26, is also with the Pirates, getting his chance with a full season in the majors last year. But he struggled (.236, seven home runs, 41 RBIs).

Moss was designated for assignment and is attempting a comeback with the Pirates' Triple-A team in Indianapolis. After a sluggish start, his average is up to .261, with 20 home runs and 84 RBIss.

Moss, the MVP of 2006 Eastern League Championship for Portland, was traded by Boston in 2008 in the three-way deal, sending Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers, and bringing Jason Bay to Boston.

Iggy Suarez, 29, was off to a fast start with the Somerset Patriots of the independent Atlantic League, batting .296 over 33 games before tearing his hamstring.

Suarez came back this month and his average is down to .256, although he still flashes a slick glove. "He's probably the best shortstop in the league defensively, Somerset manager Sparky Lyle told the Courier News of New Jersey.

Suarez first came to Portland in 2006 and stayed with the Sea Dogs through last year, with a brief stint in Pawtucket. Boston opted not to re-sign him.

Andrew Dobies, 27, was one of the pitchers on the 2006 title team. The left-hander then battled injuries and became a reliever. He landed on Portland's opening-day roster this year before being traded to the White Sox on April 20.

Dobies recorded a 6.43 ERA in Double-A for the White Sox and was released on July 8.

Then his Sea Dogs connections kicked in. Suarez told Somerset about Dobies and now he is relieving for the Patriots. Dobies has a 1.23 ERA after 14 appearances.

Jeff Bailey, 31, was one of those rare players who suited up for the Sea Dogs when they were a Marlins affiliate (2001) and with the Red Sox (2004-05).

Bailey remained with the Red Sox organization through last year, getting the occasional call-up from Pawtucket.

He signed a minor league free agent contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks and has been with the Triple-A Reno Aces, batting .291 with 11 home runs and 72 RBIss.

Zach Daeges, 26, led the Sea Dogs in batting in 2008 with a .307 average. He was deemed an emerging prospect and invited to the exclusive Red Sox Rookie Camp in the off-season.

Since then?

"He can't catch a break," Red Sox Director of Development Mike Hazen said.

Daeges played only nine games for Pawtucket last year before an ankle injury shelved him for the year. He came back to major league spring training camp this year. More injuries followed, the worst one being his right shoulder, which eventually needed surgery.

Daeges will hope to leave the disabled list behind next year.

Beau Vaughan, 29, is another pitcher to end up in the Atlantic League, pitching for the Camden (N.J.) Riversharks.

Vaughan was one of the more colorful personalities to pitch for Portland (2007-08). He was known for sliding on the tarp during rain delays, impersonating a reporter during a David Ortiz press conference, and providing some solid relief at Hadlock Field.

After the 2008 season, Vaughan was traded to Texas as the player to be named later in the deal for Wes Littleton, a reliever who did not stick with the Red Sox. Vaughan signed with the Oakland A's this year and was pitching in both Double-A and Triple-A when he was released July 10.

Vaughan hooked up with the Riversharks and has made four appearances so far.

Lars Anderson, 22, began the season with a hot April with Portland (.355, five home runs, 16 RBIs). But he has played out of the spotlight since his promotion to Triple-A. Anderson got a slow start in Pawtucket, while others were getting called-up to the majors.

Plus, there has been the emergence of Portland's Anthony Rizzo, moving ahead of Anderson as Boston's top first base prospect.

But Anderson has improved over the summer, hitting .226 over May and June, then .303 in July and .289 this month. His home run production has dropped, with only eight homers in Triple-A. Anderson's future with Boston may be uncertain, but he remains a major league prospect.