I made a goal to do more traditional bloggie things this season, which hopefully will include a weekly look at what's gone on in the minors. I'm starting this now to try to get in a groove, even though it's dumb to start now because it's February and there are no minors in February.

So here's what I'm going to go with: In mid-January, the A's signed Luke Carlin to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Herewith some facts about Luke Carlin:

• He's a catcher
• I have no idea if he's related to George
• He's spent time in the systems of San Diego, Cleveland, Detroit, and Pittsburgh
• He was drafted in the 10th round by Detroit in 2002 and was released the next March, which seems awfully quick for a catcher drafted in the 10th round
• He's 34
• He switch-hits
• He went to Northeastern; I know a bunch of people who went to law school there
• He was drafted four picks ahead of Howie Kendrick, whose career WAR is 50 times Carlin's
• The A's 10th-round pick in 2002 was pitcher J.R. Pickens from Ole Miss, who pitched through 2005, never getting past High-A
• He was born in Maryland but grew up in Quebec

There's your minor-league wrap (not a sandwich) for the week.