Outfielder Corey Brown signs minor league deal; Koback released

The Red Sox have signed outfielder Corey Brown to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to major league spring training, reports Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston. According to Matt Eddy of Baseball America, the organization released outfielder Cody Koback.

Brown, 28, plays all three outfield position and brings power to the organization. A first-round draft choice of the Oakland Athletics in 2007 out of Oklahoma State University, Brown has 123 home runs in his minor league career, including 30 in his 2008 full-season debut.

Traded to Washington after the 2010 season in a deal for Josh Willingham, Brown received a cup of coffee in each of the last three major league seasons, going 7 for 40 overall. He spent the bulk of the 2013 season with Triple-A Syracuse, hitting .254/.326/.473. He played primarily center field for the Chiefs, with 61 appearances, but also saw action in over 20 games at both corner outfield spots. Trouble with contact has held Brown back from greater success. He was retired via the strikeout 132 times in 2013, and more than once every four plate appearances over his minor league career. 

Brown had been purchased by the Athletics from Washington in December but was designated for assignment when Oakland acquired reliever Eric O'Flaherty, and became a free agent when he refused outright assignment to the minor leagues. 

Koback was a 10th-round choice of the Red Sox in 2011 who reached High A Salem this season. He was arrested in December for domestic abuse and faces a series of felony charges.

Photo Credit: Corey Brown from milb.com

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