In case you missed it last night, Scott Boras is getting ready to start dealing his cards.
We also know this because he and his client, Ryan Madson, came to terms with the Reds late last night on a one year deal. The exact terms were not discussed, but I am guessing there really was not $7M in the Rays' budget this time around for a closer. Since Boras and his agency are holding most of the free agent cards at this point, we should finally start seeing some kind of movement on the free agent market and potentially the reactionary trade market depending on who does and does not get what they need. We just need that Prince, err, Jack of Clubs to be played.
Other Rays-Related News:
- Rancel reminds us that players have one week to file their arbitration figures meaning Burke Badenhop, J.P. Howell, Jeff Niemann, David Price, and B.J. Upton have some decisions to make with their respective agents. Upton has already been through the process and lost his case in 2010 and chose to agree to a pre-arbitration deal before last season. Upton is one of five players to go before the arbiter under the new ownership, but the scoreboard reads Team 5, Player 0. For a review of what the process is like, see this legacy article at Baseball Prospectus (free).
- Speaking of BP, my colleague Christina Kahrl is not a fan of the Rays re-signing Johnny Damon but she did agree with me on a name that I first proposed back on December 1st.
- Go check out the pitcher comps that @DodgerSims was kind enough to share with us in a fanpost
- Sean Rodriguez has a Twitter account
- RaysProspects has more to say about the 2012 Stone Crabs staff
- The Orioles are staying in touch with Luke Scott who they non-tendered in December and remains one of the few names left on the free agent list for DH's.
- Beyond the Boxscore ranks the Rays' Top 12 prospects
- Seth McClung found himself another opportunity to try to get back to the majors for the first time since 2009. Big Red begat Grant Balfour so always be thankful the Brewers saw talent in McClung in 2007.
Non-Rays News:
- MLBTR looks at the rapidly shrinking market for relievers desiring multi-year deals.
- Keith Law is not taking a job with the Astros front office. His work and opinions are a valuable part of the public domain and it would have been missed.
- If you thought this year's Hall of Fame discussions were interesting, just wait until next year!
- What would you change in baseball? Here are two bold suggestions.
Why "SeanJRodriguez1" when "SeanJRodriguez" is available?
Ben Tumbling - January 11, 2012
Jersey # like alot of players
Tommy Rancel - January 11, 2012 via mobile
Ah. Thanks.
I never pay attention to jersey numbers.
Ben Tumbling - January 11, 2012
Could just be a coincidence thats his number
But if the other is available that’s the only logical reason I see for it.
Tommy Rancel - January 11, 2012 via mobile
Rays employees on twitter have engaged the account so I'm assuming it's valid now
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
It's me.
Sorry for the confusion, everyone.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
Price did last night.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
Madson ended up with $8.5M plus incentives in his deal
Steal for Walt Jocketty and the Reds while we learn that Ruben Amaro Jr. always pays sticker prices for cars.
If you are ever impatient at how the Rays run free agency, remember what the Phillies did with their closer role this off-season.
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
Two words that should've taught Amaro a lesson
Ryan Howard
Transplanted - January 11, 2012
Why? You're trying to run the Phillies as if they were the Rays
sternfan1 - January 11, 2012
Are you defending the Howard deal?
sattp - January 11, 2012 via mobile
If the Rays, Indians, Pirates, Royals etc make that deal
it’d be a very risky one, more risk than reward probably.
For teams like the Phillies, Yankees etc, if Howard fails does it really change how they proceed in gathering talent or spending?
sternfan1 - January 11, 2012
You would hope so
But Amaro didn’t pass history apparently.
Howard had 1+yrs on his old deal, there was a lot of time.
Transplanted - January 11, 2012
I see your point, to an extent.
But that’s just a bad allocation of resources (regardless of how many you have) and the timing just makes it baffling. It’s defensible to sign a player a bit over value it you have the money but Howard is going to be paid like a franchise player while Hamels and Utley walk.
sattp - January 11, 2012 via mobile
I forgot to mention that he's also not that valuable of an asset.
sattp - January 11, 2012 via mobile
but the rbis!
pudieron89 - January 11, 2012
But it was still completely unnecessary at the time
Imagine if they would have waited til he was a free agent and hurt and sucky.
Barnacles - January 11, 2012
exactly. it isnt like he would have gotten more as a bad athlete 1B than the current deal.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
absolutely
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
I don't care who you are
Never by first
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
Detroit last year
struck early and got Benoit and Vmart…I think that worked out pretty well for El Tigres.
MrNegative1 - January 11, 2012
yup
pudieron89 - January 11, 2012
Just because you acquired talent doesn't mean you didn't overpay for it.
sattp - January 11, 2012 via mobile
did Detroit overpay
for Benoit or Vmart?
I am in agreement with Collette on this topic by the way. I like the way the Rays do business and love their model.
This year the market said grab a catcher early and the Rays did but to be first in line for a 1b/DH this offseason would be silly.
MrNegative1 - January 11, 2012
You don't think Benoit was an overpay?
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
yes he was
overpaid slightly, but now with the benefit of 1 productive year under his belt I can use hindsight and suggest otherwise!
He also fell into the multi-year love affair with relief pitchers as reported on MLBTR today.
MrNegative1 - January 11, 2012
exactly. it was a bad deal.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
ok
horrible deal…Tigers and Dumbrowski are regretting it in their club offices as we speak.
MrNegative1 - January 11, 2012
opens up cordero to the rays for cheap.
cordero, scott, and pena. trade davis/niemann for prospects, and call it an offseason. huzzah!
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
Why would you want Cordero?
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
why wouldn't you? another elite arm in the BP to protect against injury/ineffectiveness.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
I'm not sure if you're serious or not.
But just in case, he’s not an elite arm.
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
his FIP the last three years is about equal with Peralta.
Granted it’s trending the wrong way, but that ‘s why he’s a buy low candidate. “elite” was probably the wrong word. buy-low with good upside for high leverage spots. better version of rodney.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
His ever decreasing K rate coupled with his high BB rate (aside from 2011's outlier in the recent trend) is too concerning for me.
He’ll probably cost too much to be worth whatever minor reward he may provide.
2.84 3.69 4.18 — Cordero ERA FIP xFIP
3.18 3.48 3.93 — Peralta
Consider that 2009 was the only really good year that Cordero had in the past 3 and that 2009 was the only poor year that Peralta had, and you should be taking notice that not only is Peralta better, but they are trending in opposite directions. Cordero just seems washed up to me, and I’d really rather not have him pitch in high leverage situations.
In high leverage situations last season, his FIP was 4.47 (xFIP 4.34). In 2010, it was 3.83 (4.33). In 2009, it was 2.91 (4.19). I can’t find much hope in this trend. Peralta’s been bouncing back and forth in his effectiveness in high leverage situations for the past 3 years. Last year was pretty close to Cordero’s, at least in FIP, but in 2010, he just flat out dominated, and he sucked in 2009.
But to spend money on a guy like Cordero just seems like a waste. I’m not seeing much upside.
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
i noted the trend in my last comment.
i put very little stock in leverage statistics because they are based on such small samples.
i said “opens up cordero to the rays for cheap.” “for cheap” is the key there. you can never have too many arms in a bullpen (especially one with as many questions as our’s has). the thing about RPs is trends matter less because so much of it could be SS issues. if the rays see something that could turn coco around then go for it, if they dont then dont. thats why i said hes like rodney. what about rodney is appealing when you look at his trends?
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
His insane GB% for the past few years is appealing.
not that I’m a huge fan of that acquisition, I can see how he might succeed here.
How cheap do you think Cordero will be?
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
no idea, but based on what madson just got he could come pretty cheap.
id do it for less than peralta got ($2-3 mill) if the scouts think they see something.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
Yeah I'd be okay with that if he's only $2 million
another concern: wouldn’t paying these older RP like Rodney and Cordero (and even Farnsworth and Peralta) millions get in the way of pitching younger, much higher upside guys like McGee and Lueke and Torres, etc, if they’re ineffective? Would the Rays be willing to cut bait on the money they spent? I was wondering about that.
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
break em in slowlyt
rglass44 - January 12, 2012
While i see both Pena and Damon as real fits for the Rays, i didn't
get anyything positive out of Boras’ comment. He rarely tips his hand and certainly isn’t about to exclude any team
sternfan1 - January 11, 2012
Maybe he was considering player preference
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
From MLBTR: Scott Proctor signs in Korea
Think Longoria’s HR had anything to do with it?
sternfan1 - January 11, 2012
He's there for military purposes
Launching of bombs
Transplanted - January 11, 2012
Fernando Martinez waived by the Mets
Should there be any interest in him? I remember literally speeding home and running to my laptop when I heard on the radio that he had been called up in 2009. Missed him by less than a minute in my NL only league.
He’s sucked, but he used to be a top prospect, so maybe there’s still something to him?
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
He would be interesting to add to Durham.
I’m not sure if his injuries zapped some of his tools but he was certainly a top prospect and still young enough to add on a minor league deal.
Peter Piontek - January 11, 2012
Yeah, he just turned 23.
Over on AA, they seem surprised, but some seem to think the dude can barely run. Knee problems. Someone said something about a degenerative condition. I wonder if this is anything like the Baldelli case. I’m not looking it up, but if anyone knows anything about it, please share and enable my laziness as I am on a sick day and refuse to google search.
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
Well i think speed played a major part of his game.
if he can’t run , it would explain him being waived.
Peter Piontek - January 11, 2012
never had more than 8 sb in a season.
his minor league ISO is decent, though. Seems like some power potential more than speed, but I don’t know his scouting reports.
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
His waiver period expires today
There’s no risk in putting a claim and just seeing what he has if anything
Tommy Rancel - January 11, 2012 via mobile
arthritic knees at 23 suck
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
Bulk him up and plop him at 1b!
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
Someone has put a claim in on him
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
I'd bet anything it is not the Rays.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
F-Mart has an option remaining
so it might be the Rays, but it won’t matter because of inverse order of standings
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
This article should be titled "The bland getting back together".
Barnacles - January 11, 2012
MLBTR confirming Rays interest in Luke Scott
so there’s that
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
Scott v Damon
Scott’s numbers in Camden Yards v Damon’s numbers in Yankee Stadium
I’ll take Damon if Scott’s price tag is significantly higher
sternfan1 - January 11, 2012
rather have neither
pudieron89 - January 11, 2012
Pena & Betemit & I'm happy
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
Butler & Betemit
but only if Betemit agrees to give up trying to hit right-handed
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
I am also starting to come around on Billy Butler
but I think the Royals will hold him hostage for an overpay.
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
yeah, dealing with the Royals seems to be a tremendous pain
I’ve come around on a subsidized Konerko, too.
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
Yes, I am on board with this.
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
FIELDER OR BUST
Betemit still being out there is intriguing
Transplanted - January 11, 2012
Tired of the RFO sitting on their hands.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
Let's bring back Doug Waechter for the bullpen
The original hometown boy!
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
Star of BPro's Baseball Between the Numbers.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
haha who are you quoting?
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
Didn't want to call him out by name, but just a little gem I found on a certain 'warmth-producing' Rays site.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
checkity check check
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
I need to start checking in there more often.
That crap is hilarious.
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
It's the best. Makes me smile every day.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
Bring back Jesse Litsch for that open bat boy position!
Passionate Apathy - January 11, 2012
Bigs beckon Beckham
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120103&content_id=26254016&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
Perfect.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
Noted stoner, Bongora, must have introduced him to this place.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
*Bongoria
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
Everyone mentions that Mellow Mushroom in Durham
The beer at the one down the road here in great but the pizza has been hit and miss
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
Wish Tropicana Field had a Mellow Mushroom across from it.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
durham's even more of a warzone than st pete
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
That's impossible.
I don’t walk to the stadium anymore, I have people pull me while I slide across the sea of empty shell casings like I’m skiing.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
isn't there one of those in Sarasota?
pudieron89 - January 12, 2012
That's actually a decent interview.
Seems like a good kid with the right mindset.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
Agreed
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
and he uses "well/good" correctly. Impressive for a kid from backwoods GA who didn't go to college.
apart from being a grammar snob, i always love his nterviews or things i read about him. he seems to be a great kid that wants to be the best.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
Baseball players just seem smarter than your average athlete
Transplanted - January 11, 2012
generally true
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
I'd imagine they have the lowest level of education
Ryan Gilliss - January 11, 2012
Luke Scott told me he still thinks he's a bust.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012 via mobile
lower than nba?
rglass44 - January 12, 2012
At least they typically get a year of college.
Hatfield - January 12, 2012
I'm still not sure what to think about the addition of a leg kick.
Guess we’ll see how that goes for him…it just seems like it’s so easy for that to get out of synch and make timing difficult. Or maybe that’s just me being biased with our experience with Upton.
Steve Slowinski - January 11, 2012
Boom..
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
dude why is Brignac there?
The guy has 1 rule, make the highlight reel on defense only for the number to say you were actually bad on D.
Pena will be at 1B for the 2012 season. Boras only getting 1 year/8 million for a guy that wanted 4 years/44 million makes me much more confident.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
That is a fact...
….but sometimes it’s not necessary to read between the lines.
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/content/joyce-working-out-first-just-case
budman3 - January 11, 2012
McClung lives on in Balfour's comp picks Goetzman and Ames
FreeZorilla - January 11, 2012
Are we picking 2 out of these 4? Pena, Damon, Kotchman and Scott
I’m sorry but I’m taking Damon over Scott because Scott has an IF and that’s IF he’s healthy and IF BJ Upton doesn’t beat him up, he will be better than Damon.
I pick Pena over Kotch simply because the AVG was nice and all but Pena’s D is just about the same and he adds homers (and strikeouts) to the lineup.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
This guy on MLBtr
OVERpay for Suzuki, can’t even trade Hager, why are our corner OF’ers Scott and Morse and why would we give Cordero what Madson just made?
joeybw - January 11, 2012
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