First, Marc Topkin from the Tampa Bay Times reported that the Rays were close to reaching a deal with Luke Scott. Within minutes, we had this update from Dan Connolly at the Baltimore Sun:
Former
#Oriole Luke Scott & the#Rays have agreed to a one-year deal with a 2013 option, pending physical.
Check one hitter off the offseason "To Do" list. Based on projections alone, Scott has some of the biggest upside of any hitter left on the free agent market (outside Prince Fielder...and Carlos Pena is close). He may be a risky option -- he'll be turning 34 this season and had shoulder surgery last season -- but if healthy, he has the potential to be a big power bat in the middle of the Rays lineup.
Can you imagine what the Rays' lineup could be like if they also sign Carlos Pena? Be still, my heart.
We'll have more on Scott later on, but for now, here's Tommy Rancel's piece about Scott when he was first released by the Orioles. Rancel also made an excellent point on Twitter: Dr. James Andrews was the surgeon that did Scott's shoulder last season and Andrews is the Rays' medical director according to the team's site.
0 recs | 506 comments
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
BJ the Bossman - January 11, 2012
this could be really fun
Scott certainly does lengthen the lineup.
Friedman isn’t done yet.
MrNegative1 - January 11, 2012
nice move
if true I wonder what sort of money he gets…5m with a ton of incentives?
OneTonneBaby - January 11, 2012 via Android app
Around that
or maybe the incentive is the 2013 option vests but that’s not very Rays…
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Yippee!!! Tampa atheists beware.
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
well, and also, people who aren't morons
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
You meant mormons, right?
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
no, I mean that Luke Scott thinks the President wasn't born in this country
and probably that we faked the moon landing, and who knows what else
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
He believes in carrying a weapon, too
So let’s be careful what we say about him if he has a bad game.
maris61 - January 11, 2012
Hopefully he'll have another 2010, and no one will care
or have to shoot anyone about anything
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
plz plz plz
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
We did fake the moon landing.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
quiet, you
or I’ll report you to the Trilateral Commission
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
And planned 9/11
MakeitRayn - January 11, 2012
Next you're going to tell me Richard Gere doesn't really like gerbils?
djp68 - January 11, 2012
I heard one day he woke up in a bathtub full of ice....
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
He went to get his change out of a pay phone and encountered a dirty needle.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
While drinking from a refilled water bottle.
Passionate Apathy - January 11, 2012
Drinking cancer you mean (if he left it in his car for any length of time).
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
After he failed to decipher the Mothman's warnings
MakeitRayn - January 11, 2012
Surgery was done on 7/26 on his throwing shoulder
Going to presume he’s not going to be seeing time in the OF much
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
not sure he plays the OF before the World Series even if his shoulder was 100%
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
he actually rates pretty well out there (surprisingly).
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
Range wise, maybe
throwing arm can’t do right field. That kind of surgery really saps your arm strength less than a year back.
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
no doubt, but LF was more what i was thinking.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
Even against NL teams I doubt he plays the OF unless he has a Mike Napoli-esque resurgence/breakout (which is highly unlikely)
benderbrodriguez - January 11, 2012
that would be awesome, though
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
Throwing Shoulder
Is what a power hitter is using to turn over the bat head.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
This is definitely the main reason this deal gives pause
As has been mentioned before, Upton’s shoulder issues serve as a warning. But hopefully he emerges from ST healthy and hitting well and we get the Scott of 08-10. Would be a major addition if it works out.
raysfaninminnesota - January 11, 2012
If he returns to that form
Yeah, then we are talking about adding a few wins at (presumably) low cost. But we should also remember that we aren’t replacing black holes in Damon and Kotch (though they may both suck ass this year).
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
True
the best value of this deal will depend contract terms.
raysfaninminnesota - January 11, 2012
It definitely has the potential to work, and work well
I’m thinking that a hitter similar in production to 2008 Eric Hinske, and I’m good with it.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
Presumably we haven't committed all that much money
benderbrodriguez - January 11, 2012
Nice!
Gatorbuc15 - January 11, 2012
Is this curtains for Damon?
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
Unless Scott plays 1B, this is good bye to Damon.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Kind of sad, I liked Damon. He should retire and be an "advisor" to the team
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
I think so
Having watched Scott play 1B, I don’t think he plays there on a regular basis for a Joe Maddon team.
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
Honestly, I expected Damon back.
Was wondering a lot more about 1B.
Joe and AF seem to of loved Damon who I predict will sign with the Orioles. He’s always killed it in Camden Yards, maybe he wants to call it home this year and he can check another AL East team off his list…
joeybw - January 11, 2012
I would comment on the substance of your post
but “seemed to of”? That has to be deliberate, right?? :)
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
One of these days I'm going to snap and ban him for it
benderbrodriguez - January 11, 2012
I have flagged it for your perusal.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
from Christina Kahrl
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
He and Beej will be best friends
Just like he was a father figure to Adam Jones.
BJ the Bossman - January 11, 2012
it was Pie
Ryan Gilliss - January 11, 2012
I love Pie.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
Who doesn't?
nomoredevil - January 11, 2012
It was both of them
No? Threw banana chips at Pie but didnt he mess with Jones too?
BJ the Bossman - January 11, 2012
It was banana chips with Pie...
and Jones defended Pie and Scott’s relationship, because Pie gave it back to Scott just as hard.
Ryan Gilliss - January 11, 2012
Did he throw crackers at him?
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
...
…
pudieron89 - January 11, 2012
Hey, it made me laugh
joeybw - January 11, 2012
nice
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
His mlb.com bio says he was born in DeLand, Fla.
So he’s a Fla. native.
But I don’t know whether to believe that.
maris61 - January 11, 2012
better demand to see that certificate
you guys already have enough fakes living in FL.
raysfaninminnesota - January 11, 2012
Says the guy from a state who elected a pro-wrestler for governor :)
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
I'm no longer from there
and I’m too lazy to create a new username. Only went to MN for college. That’s the cross I have to carry in life.
raysfaninminnesota - January 11, 2012
Luke Scott approves of this post ^
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
What school?
DeadeyeRR - January 11, 2012
DeLand HS
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
Not him, raysfaninminny
DeadeyeRR - January 11, 2012
pro-wrestler>crook
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
I knew that was coming as soon as I hit POST; touche....
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
This is great
benderbrodriguez - January 11, 2012
also
Scott’s walk up song is “Rock You Like A Hurricane” by the Scorpions, and I don’t care who you are, that song is awesome.
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
This is true
joeybw - January 11, 2012
I don't know; maybe "Devil went down to Georgia"?
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
Meh
I’ve heard better
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
Even better
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_EUvSN2guI
benderbrodriguez - January 11, 2012
Some NO Saints players and coaches
thought it was inappropriate when the Bucs played it a RJS in the 2006 season against the Saints…
just sayin’. not everyone thinks that song is appropriate at all times.
(full disclosure – I though it was pretty funny…)
tampa_edski - January 11, 2012
Last 3 years, OPS+ for LH hitters
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 1/11/2012.
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
man, Juan Pierre is terrible
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
I'm really liking this move as of right now the middle of the line-up
Zoby, Longo, Scott, BJ, Joyce
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
With Deezy leading off.
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
probably flip Joyce and Scott, no?
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
And think of the potential of Pena possibly being in there
raysfaninminnesota - January 11, 2012
Fielder
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
Don't say it!!
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
I was thinking just trade for Trout
Abreu can still play CF right?
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
Unless I missed something they still have Peter Bourjos
benderbrodriguez - January 11, 2012
Scott is "excited to be our DH"
Sorry, Johnny.
Probably puts Pena and Magic of Kotch back in play.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
yea I'm guessing 1B or COF may come in a trade, we may be done with the FA's
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
Lucas Duda, come on down!
raysfaninminnesota - January 11, 2012
Uh oh, did we sign Tebow?
Should be good for some walk off homers…
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Scotting is the new Tebowing
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
he's just pointing at a blimp
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
Cant do that in the Trop
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
catwalk then
Ben Tumbling - January 11, 2012
Hopefully that will be him pointing to his last blast on the D ring ? C ring maybe?
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
Which is a homer?
Is it only the D ring which Gomes crushed or is C a homer too? As long as it’s fair, of course.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
I think it is only C ring. Im not even sure that there is a D ring. A and B rings are now do-overs
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
there's a d ring and it's a homer
stpetelawyer - January 11, 2012
Well, you can
Might look a little dumb but you can…
joeybw - January 11, 2012
"Rays were most aggresive?
We were? It’s nice to hear that the few times we do.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
.573 SLG as a DH.
Space Johnson - January 11, 2012
Here's a vid of Scott at the Trop talking about his religious beliefs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ShDTYrbfCM
ZBW - January 11, 2012
it's Luke Scott's mouth moving
but Kirk Cameron writing the script
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
guessing AndrewTorrez is not the biggest fan of Jesus?
any way you slice it, nice to see the Rays pick up a guy with god moral character. Guys like Scott, Josh Hamilton, and Ben Zobrist certainly make good leaders in the clubhouse for the young and reckless.
d.russ - January 11, 2012
"god moral character."
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
"god moral character."
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
"god moral character."
SRQman - January 11, 2012
also, give me a break. a guy that belittles his teammates racially is a good leader because he's a christian. puhleeze.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
I'll blame the holy spirit for that typo
in all seriousness though, we know he has strong convictions. if he practices what he preaches, he would be out partying and making a fool, but working hard and doing his job. if he’s made a stupid racial comment in the past, i’m sure that doesn’t necessarily characterize him as a whole
d.russ - January 11, 2012
*wouldn't.
gonna quit typing now.
d.russ - January 11, 2012
so you're saying racism is better than partying?
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
of course it is. just ask jesus. the winemaker.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
"Wait, THIS is the blood of Jesus? That dude must have been wasted 24/7!"
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
lol, nice
d.russ - January 11, 2012
you can only put your foot in your mouth twice before you run out of feet
attempting to say clear convictions > none, and that his faith is an upside for the clubhouse
d.russ - January 11, 2012
hey, that's your opinion, and there's nothing wrong with having one
I disagree. I’d rather have someone who’s wishy-washy with no clear convictions over someone who’s convictions are appalling. I bet you feel the same way when it comes to someone whose convictions aren’t your own; if the Rays signed, say, Richard Dawkins to be the new strength and conditioning coach.
As to the second half of your statement: I think you’re going to have a hard time making the argument that the Rays clubhouse doesn’t have enough Christianity in it.
But anyway: I doubt we’re going to convince each other at this point. Why not focus on where we agree? I think the Scott signing is a good one; even though he believes demonstrably false things (that Obama was born in Kenya), hey, he can hit the ball really hard, and that’s what a DH is supposed to do.
I’m also a huge Ben Zobrist fan (as almost anyone on this site can attest), and he’s about as Christian as you get.
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
i could have written this. echoes my sentiments exactly.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
Same
I care about what these guys do between the chalk lines, as long as what they do outside of them isn’t affecting their play on the field.
Make no mistake about it, Damon’s clubhouse presence will be missed. I saw its effect this past season a few times and I have new found respect for that train of thought. Key is, who will step up and fill that void? Bringing Pena back could be that.
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
Everything these players have been working for the last few years (since '08) comes down to this season.
Can you see Upton, Longoria, Shields, Price, and even Farns being the driving force of leadership this upcoming season?
MakeitRayn - January 11, 2012
Pena for clubhouse morale is an interesting point
playjoyce said elsewhere we should bring Damon back to be an advisor, if he retires soon, that’d be great.
d.russ - January 11, 2012
Damon will be playing beer league softball in Orlando while laughing at the 'advisor' offer.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
z
FreeZorilla - January 11, 2012
z
FreeZorilla - January 11, 2012
These quotes bring back memories
Comments are no longer allowed.
Was that the phrase?
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
Scott signing was definitely our best FA option
unless we drop $30m on Prince. Thrilled to have a power bat that doesn’t slap at everything like he’s Vlad Guerrero. Johnny was great in September, but i think we are all in accord that Scott’s talent is quite the upgrade.
and it’s fine if we disagree, but Kirk Cameron is always a low blow. There is a positive side to him having faith that shouldn’t be overlooked.
d.russ - January 11, 2012
the Kirk Cameron comment was serious
Watch that video, and the stuff Luke Scott is saying is almost word-for-word exactly the stuff Kirk Cameron says, minus the bit about the banana.
Try 0:45 in: “I called myself a christian, but I was doing all the stuff my heathen teammates were doing.”
That’s pretty much exactly the schtick that Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort are using. (Also, I can’t help wonder how calling Evan Longoria, David Price and B.J. Upton “heathens” is really going to play in the clubhouse.)
Anyway, I really will let it drop now (and you can have the last word if you wish) — I just wanted to clarify that the Kirk Cameron bit wasn’t a cheap shot.
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
my friends and I refer to that as "christian-ese"
absurd sounding things like “heathen” are negative words to serve a humorous purpose. I don’t think it’s a wise word choice, but IMHO, I doubt he seriously means all non-christians should be referred to as heathens. That video is loaded with christian vernacular that only makes sense for his intended audience. I can look past that and say he seems like a nice guy.
now his politics, I’m not defending that.
d.russ - January 11, 2012
I wouldn't want Josh Hamilton leading ANYBODY unless it was to the best place to buy strippers and blow
pudieron89 - January 11, 2012
depending on what the figures are on this deal, combined with the aggresive Rodney signing
I wonder if a go for it now mindset is really in place. If that is the case I could see them going strong after a decent 1B in trade, dangling not only Niemann/Davis but also another decent young player like Cobb/Torres or even Beckham/Lee
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
Is Votto still in play?
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
*drool*
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
this
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
I'm not sure they need another pitcher, but I could see Lee being of heavy interest to them
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
I highly doubt it
Reds are in win now mode also and traded Yonder
joeybw - January 11, 2012
also I'm not sure we could touch Votto without Shields,Price, or Helly being involved
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
I'm just going to say it
I would trade Helly if it meant Votto.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Shields for Votto
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
This
The last time we played the Reds in the Trop, we was absolutely awesome.
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
"He" was absolutely awesome
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
I would rather trade Price or Shields, but yea if they really wanted Helly than yea I would too
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
Think OF'ers also
I might be starting to believe that Joyce may play 1B this year.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
I was just pipe rosterbating, but if Hanley really doesn't want to play 3B
what about BJ and Enny for Hanley, right now they have Chris Coghlan and Scott Cousins battling for CF
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
No.
benderbrodriguez - January 11, 2012
if you haven't seen it
the definitive Luke Scott interview
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
If he tries throwing banana chips into B.J.'s helmet...
Upton will kill him.
EminenceFront - January 11, 2012
"What? I was just saying he was nimble, like a monkey!"
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
Baltimore general manager Andy MacPhail sums Scott up simply:
“I’ve met a lot of people in this game who will say the right thing every time,” he says, “but maybe not act in a manner that is the most laudatory. Luke’s the opposite.”
ZBW - January 11, 2012
This is going to be a great season.
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
Good baseball signing
Still hate it tho.
nomoredevil - January 11, 2012
Luke and Leuke
Who doesn’t hate us?
Still a great pick up.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
GO RAYS!
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
Those two are not comparable
One committed a pretty awful crime, the other says really stupid stuff.
Barnacles - January 11, 2012
I dont think he's necessarily implying that
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
I'm not
The only way I am comparing the 2 is that they are not exactly fan favorites but they are both talented, especially Luke.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
I just don't think it's really fair to group them together
Besides, it’s Florida, Scott’s politics will play pretty well.
Barnacles - January 11, 2012
Nobody's politics play well here
We are the state that ousted Crist for being a flip-flopper, elected a true believer to replace him, and now hate that guy too.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
Crist wasn't ousted - he didn't run for re-election.
Florida is a conservative state and I don’t think that’s really in dispute.
Barnacles - January 11, 2012
Then I guess you've never heard the term "Swing State"
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_party_strength_in_Florida
That’s a lot of red…
Barnacles - January 11, 2012
Also, its worth noting that unless we are getting tons of Rays fans from places like Escambia, Duval, Levy, Dixie, etc
How “Florida” votes isn’t really what we are talking about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuvejrTTcNM
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
or if you perfer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=fvwp&v=Qs7pRdxLy3g
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
*prefer
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
You'd have to discount the even more heavily populated counties like Broward and Palm Beach that are overwhelmingly Democrat
Barnacles - January 11, 2012
The videos say it all
Counting on people to like scott because of his politics is absurd.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
No more than counting on people to dislike him...?
Barnacles - January 11, 2012
Also equivocating him with a convicted felon
Barnacles - January 11, 2012
Didnt do this either.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
I did no such thing.
I said that nobody’s politics play well here. This is Florida. We hate everybody.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
I thought we liked to swing?
Barnacles - January 11, 2012
Indeed
If you are actually taking ‘we hate everybody’ as ‘we will also hate luke scott’ you are going too literal.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
My point was more the opposite...
“Besides, it’s Florida, Scott’s politics will play pretty well.”
Barnacles - January 11, 2012
And I think here, as in pretty much everywhere but absolute extreme venues (San Fran comes to mind)
People prefer for their players to just shut their mouths and play ball.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
see: tim tebow
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
Also I think you are correct in viewing Scott's views as being 'outsider'
A complete and fair reading of his public comments could easily lead one to that conclusion…Expecting your average sports fan to go beyond ‘Scott = Birther’ is asking way too much.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
his guns, racism, and redneck shtick will fit right in.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
He will obviously commute to the Trop from Polk County.
Passionate Apathy - January 11, 2012
Well, the team still plays in St. Pete
Which is a hippie commune compared to Tampa
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
hippie commune=warzone
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
He'll probably just set up a tent in River Ranch
Barnacles - January 11, 2012
every politician. everything government.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
Right
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
Or if you like stats...presidential elections
2008: Blue
2004: Red
2000: Red (and you may have heard some news as to how close it was)
1996: Blue
The recent trend I see is that Florida picks the president. Who they pick has been up for grabs for quite some time.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
Isn't if you get Ohio and Florida you win?
SRQman - January 11, 2012
Pretty much
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
thats true
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
So Leuke was found guilty and it wasn't just a scam?
MakeitRayn - January 11, 2012
He wasn't found "guilty", necessarily, as they managed to sneak away on a lesser charge.
But yeah, it was a bad, bad situation.
Steve Slowinski - January 11, 2012
I don't think that is a fair assessment.
mr. maniac - January 11, 2012
Because she went to a bar with a baseball player?
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
He plead guilty to a lesser charge
what was it? false imprisonment with violence instead of rape? Yeah, that’s bad.
nomoredevil - January 11, 2012
Depends on context though.
Was it playful false imprisonment?
Was it after a Gavin Degraw concert?
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
Technically no contest to the felony of false imprisonment with violence...
which carries with it a finding of guilt. This was after initially telling police he had no contact with the complainant.
Ryan Gilliss - January 11, 2012
but you're one'a them jesus-ites!
pudieron89 - January 11, 2012
I love Jesus but I don't like Luke Scott. So stop dealing in absolutes.
Only a Sith deals in absolutes
nomoredevil - January 11, 2012
new lineup projection?
1. Jennings – LF
2. Zobrist – 1B
3. Longoria – 3B
4. Scott – DH
5. Upton – CF
6. Joyce – RF
7. Rodriguez – 2B
8. Molina – C
9. Brignac – SS
ZBW - January 11, 2012
nope
Zo wont be at 1B. Sean will play SS, Zo will play 2B and Free Agent To Be Named Later takes 1B
joeybw - January 11, 2012
No Zo at first at all cost
Rather have Lee, if it came down to that.
MakeitRayn - January 11, 2012
Still needs more offense
Love Zobrist as a 2b. His numbers don’t look nearly as great at first, and I cringe at the idea of Reid and Srod both starting. It could be platooned out a bit, but I’m really hoping there is more offense to come.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
agreed
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
revised:
1. Jennings – LF
2. Zobrist – 2B
3. Longoria – 3B
4. Scott – DH
5. Upton – CF
6. Joyce – RF
7. Kotchman? – 1B
8. Molina – C
9. Rodriguez – SS
ZBW - January 11, 2012
flip Scott and Joyce
vs L: Jennings / Upton / Longoria / Zobrist / Rodriguez / Scott / Guyer / 1B / Molina
vs R: Jennings / Zobrist / Longoria / Joyce / Upton / Scott / 1B / Lobaton / Brignac
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
Upton was a stud hitting 2nd
Gotta think Joe puts him there, at the very least for the first few weeks and if he takes off, he will keep him there.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
you're probably right
I just like Zobrist batting in the 1st
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
probably push everyone down
didn’t Longo say he liked hitting 4th too
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
I thought he liked hitting in the 1st inning
So he was put in the 3 hole.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Does this mean Canzler is off the Roster?
MakeitRayn - January 11, 2012
depends on the 1B
right now I think the bench looks like this: C (Lobaton/Molina), IF (S-Rod/Brignac), Fuld, and Guyer.
If Joyce moves to 1B and Guyer becomes the everyday RF, that opens up a bench spot for Canzler. If the team acquires a full-time 1B, I think it pushes Canzler back to Durham.
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
EJ will be on the roster before Canzler
why carry a back-up who can really only DH, that would be a worse use of a roster spot than Joe whatever the hell his name was
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
Dillon, and that was in a lost season
and the difference is that the Rays already have 3 guys on the roster who can play SS (Brignac, S-Rod, Zobrist)… is there really any need to carry a 4th?
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
when is the last time we saw Zobrist at SS
I’m not saying he can’t play there anymore but if he could I doubt EJ would have been on the roster last year
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
chicken and egg?
I mean, there was no need for Zobrist to play SS last year because Johnson was on the roster.
I’d have to think that if you have Zobrist’s range at 2B and arm in RF, that’s enough to be the backup backup shortstop. Most teams have one guy who can actually play short, and one utility infielder.
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
agreed
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
fwiw I'm not really arguing for EJ as much as I'm against giving Canzler a spot
I’d rather him be in AAA and than if we get an injury at 1B or DH than call him up. I just don’t see Joe using him as a strict PH very often.
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
i think i prefer canzler, but its more of a roster construction thing as i actually have grown somewhat fond of helliot thanks to fz.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
how would you see Canzler role though?
an occasional spot start, pinch hit for a C? Because we would have Rodriguez who would pinch hit for SS against a lefty if Briggy is in there. I guess he could pinch hit for Joyce against a LHB and have Fuld come in to replace him but that is about the only situation I could see it happening.
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
rh dh, rh bench bat
whereas elliot is never starting, he’s the second or third option at 2b/ss who adds nothing off the bench (except speed which fuld already has).
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
To start the season platoon at DH
This would give Scott a few days off to rest his shoulder early on.
MakeitRayn - January 11, 2012
yup yup
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
I would guess as of now
1. Jennings
LF2B2. Zobrist
3. Longo- 3B
4. Scott- DH
5. Upton- CF
6. Joyce- 1B
7. Guyer- RF
8. Molina- C
9. Brignac- SS
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
I really like Chirno's bat
Can we please find a way to trick him into playing better defense?
joeybw - January 11, 2012
upton will bat 2 i imagine
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
Agreed
Given Upton’s success in the 2 hole I don’t see how you could put him elsewhere
crawdelli - January 11, 2012
Happy about the signing, but worried about his .688 OPS on the road 2009-2011.
Michael Duncan - January 11, 2012
Meh
everybody always points to Road OPS. Unless we are talking about a Coors guy or a yankee stadium lefty I’m not convinced it means a whole lot. Camden has been a slight hitters park, and every hitter should in theory drop off a bit playing here.
Its really going to come down to health.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
This makes me think the guaranteed money is low
But I would want those incentives reached anyway
joeybw - January 11, 2012
hopefully they were attendance based incentives so the rays will never have to pay them, amirite?
raysfaninminnesota - January 11, 2012 via mobile
Add konerko
And our lineup becomes very dangerous. Thats 7 out of 9 guys capable of hitting 20+ (deezy did hit over 20 combined last season not to mention a couple in playoffs) and srod is capable of 15 bombs
BossmanJunior333 - January 11, 2012 via mobile
If we add Konerko, we are going to WS
Yeah, I went there.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
ooooh shiny
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
Your talking about a 2.1 point differential in UZR. Isn't that like a 2 out differential per play?
Not sure what that translates to in runs, but Kotchman and Konerko’s WAR values are really similar. Pena is actually lower than both for last year
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
Hey man, whatever numbers you use wont convince me that Kotchman = Konerko
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Niemann for Konerko sounds good
Dome Biscuit - January 11, 2012
CWS have to pick up the deferred payments
and maybe some of his 2012 salary. But yeah.
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
There are some reasons to think Scott won't be quite as powerful in the Trop as he was at Camden.
But still, I love this…good buy low with an option for next year if things pan out. And any sort of power will be a welcome addition to this offense, so that’s exciting.
Steve Slowinski - January 11, 2012
Looked at 2010 batted ball data
He would have had a net loss of 1 home run had he been hitting at Trop for home games
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
I looked at it over at fg.
The lack of power outside Camden is weird…not sure what to make of that. And he’d have lost a lot more HRs in 2009, fwiw.
Steve Slowinski - January 11, 2012
Love the move
Sorry to see JD go but this team needed more power. If they bring Los back I will be thrilled. It will be nice to roll into Yankee stadium with Joyce, Scott, Los and Zobrist gunning for the short porch.
sinkhole - January 11, 2012
This brings up the next move.
Who gets removed from the 40-man roster now? Predictions everyone…
ega05me - January 11, 2012
Josh Hamilton
nomoredevil - January 11, 2012
lol
benderbrodriguez - January 11, 2012
Ummm, is Buente on the 40 man?
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Nope
ega05me - January 11, 2012
Albert Joe Suarez?
or EJ
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
EJ PLEASE
joeybw - January 11, 2012
My money is on either Suarez or Ruggiano
E.J. no for now, unless another player is brought in.
ega05me - January 11, 2012
I"m done making Ruggiano predictions
amirite, Sterny?
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
I forgot (!) about Ruggiano
also old friend Nevin Ashley
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
Suarez seems the most likely right now to me.
Nobody is going to claim him off waivers with the minimal playing time he’s had,despite any upside potential.
ega05me - January 11, 2012
I'm thinking Ashley unless a trade gets done before Scott needs to be offically placed on the roster
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
But a lot of teams would be looking to add a back-up catcher to their roster.
Too likely to get grabbed IMO, so Rays won’t want to risk that.
ega05me - January 11, 2012
the problem is we have 4/5 back-up catchers right now that are argueably MLB ready
with Lobaton, Chirinos, Ashley, and Vogt (can he still catch) along with Molina all on the 40 man.
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
yeah, Ashley has value in the abstract
but I can’t see where he’s ever going to play for the Rays unless there’s some sort of cholera outbreak in Spring Training.
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
I agree there's an apparent excess in back-up catchers, but there's value in it.
I’m looking at it from the expectancy of who would be claimed and who the Rays think they could still retain depsite removing from the 40-man roster. Either way, I think the Rays are most likely to remove in this order.
1) Suarez
2) Ruggiano
3) Ashley
4) E.J.
ega05me - January 11, 2012
Shawn Riggans, Mike Difelice, Michel Hernandez
We’ve carried some clunkers before on our active roster. I see them all being held.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
ah, if only Riggans hadn't been made out of that movie-prop insta-shatter glass
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
being hit in the chest by our newest reliever didn't help.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
dammit I knew there was another reason I didn't like Rodney
I had forgotten about that
nomoredevil - January 11, 2012
yea I actually kinda liked his potential
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
Neimann and Ruggiano for Konerko
DO IT
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Sadly, I can actually see Kenny Williams holding out for Ruggiano
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
following up signing of scott with trade of two players
facilitates roster space nicely
d.russ - January 11, 2012
Ruggiano
He’s still here? I suspect there must have been some sort of ‘payroll glitch’ ala Office Space.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
Fernando Rodney
heh heh
joeybw - January 11, 2012
ugh
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS 1m
#reds and #rays are in on ryan theriot, a versatile infielder with a excellent bat. #astros also have some interest
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
I don't get that at ALL
Theriot is essentially 70% of Sean Rodriguez. Only Jon Heyman could call a guy with a career 83 OPS+ “an excellent bat.”
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
hes way better defensively
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
S-Rod's arm is pretty f'n awesome
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
Srod is going to be a solid 3B for someone someday
fortunately we got that position covered for a bit
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
Yes
Srod picking up 3rd when Longo went down last year was one of the defensive highlights for me last year. Big Srod fan.
RayJzone - January 11, 2012
I assume its made of the finest birch money can buy
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
He is in no way a starter and should stay the hell away from SS
but he got a lot of clutch hits off the bench for the Cards and he was the hardest guy in the NL to strikeout. I take him over Elliot any day which is sadly, probably the battle.
They will want Guyer to start, not sit on a bench.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Sarcasm aside, the lack of strikeouts could actually mean an awful lot coming off the bench
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
they already have Sam Fuld as the contact guy
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
I'm assuming fuld will be platooning
meaning he’d be starting a lot of the games theriot was on the bench, and that they’d be like Bruce Wayne and Batman in terms of their playing time.
However, that one attribute aside, theriot is garbage.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
Why would Fuld ever have more than a bench spot as a defensive replacement and pinch hitter, barring injury?
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
Replace 'Fuld' with 'Gross' or 'Kapler'
I can see many scenarios in which Fuld gets 250 or more AB’s, and not all of them break significantly with recent history.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
The Gabes were something this team suffered through.
I’d rather not repeat that.
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
Well if you're counting on Guyer starting the year with the big club
Im just saying…I wouldn’t.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
Why aren't you?
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
I'd like to see it
But recent history suggests I won’t. Sorry, the Rays are careful/stingy/conservative/shrewd/etc. when it comes to service time. Love it or hate it, it is what it is.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
Do you realize how old Guyer is already?
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
Yes, but service time is still service time
Not to mention they may also develop their players slowly for other reasons
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
See: Ben Zobrist
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
Again, if I were running the Rays I'd throw Guyer out there
But I’m not. All I can look to is what the Rays have done in situations like this. And their history suggests they can and will be conservative with his playing time.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
gabe gross was a very good player for us
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
Yes, this.
Steve Slowinski - January 11, 2012
Wow, 2.8 wins in 670 PA
I didn’t know that
benderbrodriguez - January 11, 2012
yup.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
Gabe Gross is going to have a wing of this site named after him once his 5 yrs have passed
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
Ah the Grapler platoon
MakeitRayn - January 11, 2012
Because he's career better than league average against RHP with ++ defense?
benderbrodriguez - January 11, 2012
The only season he's better than league average against righties is 2009.
Career averages are not always the best way to view things.
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
Last year he was league average on the dot against them
League average offense and ++ defense make a good platoon player
benderbrodriguez - January 11, 2012
Does it on this team?
Who will he platoon with?
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
Good Defense and Pitching are peas and carrots
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
huh?
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
only way that works with roster space is if Joyce moves to 1B
and even then, I’d think the Rays would carry Canzler to platoon at DH with Luke Scott over another utility infielder.
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
Brignac: New year, new start new team?
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
I'm already on record
as saying Brignac puts up a 95 wRC+ with Gold Glove-level defense in 450-ish PA this year. S-Rod plays versus lefties and continues to mash the ever-lovin’ snot out of them.
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
I hope not
We all know how much Brignac cares about the team and he’s probably trying to fix that swing all off season. If he does, with his defense, he’s quite valuable.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Yes, this is cherry -picking, but Theriot's brutal in the field
I have a passing interest in the Cardinals and have witnessed a lot of these plays. So many of them are just embarrassing. Link is from redreporter.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMv9Vls7mRg&feature=youtu.be
Win-cicum - January 11, 2012
haha he didn't spend that much time playing SS in STL
That was a LOT of plays. I wouldn’t call it cherrypicking. That was really entertaining.
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
This is doable, KW, needs to eat some of 2012 but 2013 works out the way they did it.
Paul Konerko
3 years/$37.5M (2011-13)
re-signed by Chicago White Sox as a free agent 12/8/10
11:$12M, 12:$12M, 13:$13.5M
$7M of 2013 salary deferred, paid in $1M installments 2014-20
joeybw - January 11, 2012
yeah, if CWS pick up those deferred payments it can work
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
I'm gonna go "Tebow" until we get Paulie
Don’t take too long please, AF.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
I think you're going to be on your knees for a while.
His defense sucks and his bat doesn’t really make up for it for that kind of money. Unless there really is a protection phenomenon (which has been vehemently opposed here)….
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
double posting damnit
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Okay, Friedman, I love Scott
but I will be pissed if you were counting Theroit when you said “2 bats”
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Morales is gone
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
With Morales re-signing with Angels today, is Trumbo now in play?
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
Both still are
That was just a arby signing. I don’t see us getting either one though.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
He wasnt a fa, just arb eligible
Both are still in play same amount they were before
BossmanJunior333 - January 11, 2012 via mobile
Rays have to make a trade now, right?
I mean, know they dont have to technically. Doesnt it make sense now that they will acquire a 1b via trade for a sp? Sure they could sign pena and then trade a sp for prospects, but I dont think thats likely.
BossmanJunior333 - January 11, 2012 via mobile
I want Konerko for one of the SP's
They would have to send cash also though.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
MLBTR is suggesting Prince Fielder on a 1/30 deal and wait for the market to reset in 2013
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
taht would be awesome
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
What are you implying?????
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
*drool*
Steve Slowinski - January 11, 2012
Heh
I don’t have strong enough stuff for a Prince Fielder pipe dream
joeybw - January 11, 2012
I still think that is too much
What would our payroll be with that number? $60-70million?
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
Depending on what Scott gets...
More like $70-80m.
Steve Slowinski - January 11, 2012
No way then. Stu would be killing his own arguments for the stadium!
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
A WS ring would build another strong argument
Snarfalicious - January 11, 2012
it's a win/win
if you sign Fielder, take the payroll to the mid-70s and STILL can’t draw >20K per game, that’s pretty much conclusive evidence to give to Selig to intervene and fix the Rays stadium issues.
OTOH, if signing Fielder drives attendance north of 20K, he probably pays for himself even at $30MM per year.
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
Good points. Steve, Jason please put a moratorium on any further Fielder conversation
“You do not talk about fight club”
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
I blame Jonah for this
He went on with Toby and said Rays have the money and should do it because they’ll make money.
Damn Canadians…
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
I think there's already evidence for Selig to intervene.
From Stu’s recent comments, it makes it sound like he wants to, but they’re trying to hold MLB off for now.
That’d be a pretty massive payroll…I’d love to see it happen and I think it could make the Rays the favorites in the East, but I just dunno how realistic it is.
Steve Slowinski - January 11, 2012
That payroll is about on par with 2009.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
Yeah, but times have changed since 2009.
Back then, they were still operating under the assumption that wins would put people in the seats. Their reality/projections for revenue has surely changed.
Steve Slowinski - January 11, 2012
I guess it boils down to: if they can afford it, they should do it.
I just don’t think they can afford that much.
Steve Slowinski - January 11, 2012
in both 2010 and 2011, the Rays entered the season
picked 3rd by most mainstream sportswriters — 4th by some idiots. I would think there’s a difference entering the season as the clear-cut favorites to win the division.
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
True, but maybe Selig told Stu that he needed to acquire a star player and see how it goes.
Then he might intervene.
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
Longoria, Price
These guys aren’t enough?
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
Home grown versus an acquired national star
Just a thought
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
It still doesn't have a chance in hell unless Prince pulls a Madson
1 year or forget it.
Even at 1 year, we gotta defer the heck out of it.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
yes. that is the party line.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
Guessing you don't buy it?
How do you explain those leaked financial docs?
Steve Slowinski - January 11, 2012
not just wins = attendance, but enthusiasm about expected wins
that’s what leads to advance sales in the form of season tickets, etc. In 2010 and 2011 the buzz was that the Rays were a “good, but…” team. We might see a different impact if the offseason buzz is “Rays are favorites to win the AL East.”
We might not. Those financials are terrible, and non-sellouts in the playoffs was pretty damning. But it’s possible.
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
also, the economy is seemingly betetr now than it was then.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
The economy is whatever the nightly news says it is.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
considering how many people didn't spend money on bucs games
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Rays ticket sales go up quite a bit.
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
Not when "but the economy" is still a valid excuse
While people make more money now than they did in 2007 barring people who rode the construction or mortgage wave.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
As someone who worked in the Rays ticket sales department
I am going to disagree with you. The Rays fan base (and Tampa Bay as a whole) is beyond apathetic. They don’t care and there is no “I can’t miss this in the future!” feeling. Ticket sales are shit until we make the playoffs in which case everyone wants a piece. It’s an absolute joke and I don’t think signing Fielder changes that. We have been one of the 3 or 4 best teams of the last 4 years and it changes no ones mind. Everyone knows that IF we do make the playoffs, they will just get tickets then. There is no reason to be loyal etc.
BJ the Bossman - January 11, 2012
And just to clarify
this is NO fault of the Rays. They do everything in their power to draw a crowd. On top of that, I am someone that was born and raised in St Pete and love the Bucs, Rays, and Lightning but fax is fax
BJ the Bossman - January 11, 2012
THIS!
joaker5 - January 11, 2012
the name of the game is to lose money on the books. in any business.
ive said it before, but payments on debt taken as losses is a huge part of them “barely making money.” sports teams make money in increasing their value not profit streams. just because you didnt have an accounting profit didnt mean you lost money.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
Yeah, we've been down this road before.
You’re going to need to spell it out in a more detailed post before you convince me, I guess. I’d love to see some estimates on how much money the Rays are taking in/spending based on the publicly available info we have….I think we could get a decent ballpark estimate. That recent post on Amazin’ Avenue seems like a good model, although things would be simpler because the Rays aren’t dying like the Mets.
You’re probably right, but I want to see it for myself first.
Steve Slowinski - January 11, 2012
Stu's comments are likely posturing to appear like a "good guy" vs Foster
FreeZorilla - January 11, 2012
Yeah, good point...that's entirely possible.
Steve Slowinski - January 11, 2012
Nats, Mariners and Rangers all seem to be saying no to Fielder
I say the Marlins sign him and trade Gaby. I wish it was Morrison but it would be Gaby.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
I could see this, but they don't have a need for anymore starters though with the Zambrano trade
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
Gaby
i would take Gaby, he’s a solid major league regular and has potential to have an all star year or two during his prime.
joaker5 - January 11, 2012
...
Snarfalicious - January 11, 2012
YESSSSSSSSS
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
I think he likes this signing.
I could be wrong.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
I just like the fact we signed somebody.
If Friedman likes it, I like it.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
It just stinks I got the news 2 hours later.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
I'm excited to have a DH that has the talent to actually be a pretty good one.
Looks like Nitro is gone though and that is a little sad.
JoeMasGlasses - January 11, 2012
Most likely
Outside chance that Rays put Scott at 1B considering how cheap they can get Damon though….
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Upgrade in power, downgrade in speed (Damon).
I don’t mind, I like the signing.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
And that speed is getting really old anyways
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
Well, the hustle doesn't.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
I will miss Damon
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
Might not miss him too much
I think you will see him a lot since I think he will go to Baltimore.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
I agree.
Doubt he will destroy us though…
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
that will just be sad
but hey, I saw him sign plenty of Red Sox/Yankees gear while he was with the Rays last year, so I’m guessing he’ll be happy to say hi to old Rays fans while he’s with the O’s.
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
It's just, he's always unleashed the inner beast or whats left of it at Camden
He would have a great year if it was his new home.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Damon has spent the last 11 years on contending teams
(if you give him credit for the ‘10 Tigers, who were supposed to contend). Sending him off to a team that’s headed for 100 losses is just sad; it’s like going back to Kansas City only minus the nostalgia.
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
Of course, the small chance remains that Scott plays 1B
And Damon comes back. I don’t think so, I see Joyce at 1B before Scott but Joe did love Damon.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
surprisingly, i will too.
not his ABs though.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
I'm going to miss the Damon flop swing
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
That's what I will miss the most.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
The back line of the batters box is NOT going to miss Damon
playjoyce - January 11, 2012
Clearly, the next move is sign Cespedes, put him in RF,
and Joyce our DH.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
Fernando Martinez was put on waviers
Rather have him, considering the price difference, than Cespedes.
MakeitRayn - January 11, 2012
Astros got him
Major bust anyway.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
haha, I'd rather have neither, if that makes sense.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
So far, I say we have upgraded
Damon
-—→ ScottShoppach
-——> MolinaJaso
-——→ Lobaton/ChirinosSonny
-——> BadenhopCruz
-—→ RodneyKotchman
-—→ ????And I’m sure Leuke will fill a hole somewhere.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Leuke filled Adams hole
MakeitRayn - January 11, 2012
Kinky
Blue or CONKZILLA - January 11, 2012
you forgot 2 huge ones
Nieman/Davis
-—> MooreFuld———→ Jennings
Dbullsfan - January 11, 2012
So awesome
joeybw - January 11, 2012
stop reading my story outlines for tomorrow
Jason Collette - January 11, 2012
you know its a bad story when joey scoops you...
jk, joey.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
That joke is never going to get old.
Steve Slowinski - January 11, 2012
Ever.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
Somewhere in Bakersfield there is a girl disagreeing with you....
and doing shots.
Ryan Gilliss - January 11, 2012
invite her to post here!
pudieron89 - January 11, 2012
Why hello Mrs. Thomas.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
RIP JaxRaysGirl
pudieron89 - January 12, 2012
2 moves left, sign Los and swing Davis to the pen
I agree with Steve’s footnote here. http://www.draysbay.com/2011/12/6/2612993/what-to-do-with-wade-davis
Why not move Davis to the back of the pen? If he brings it at 95-96 he could be a real weapon.
sinkhole - January 11, 2012
Davis or Neimann to the pen sounded nice and then we signed Rodney
still don’t know why.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Sign Los, trade Davis for any good minor league 1B.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
I would trade either of the starters for Yelich...
If it were to take more than that I’d still be all for it. Yelich would instantly give us an impact bat in our system.
Snarfalicious - January 11, 2012
He's incredible and the Marlins don't care about prospects
But they also have this fantasy that Zambrano has filled out the rotation. Yeah, until he’s suspended again.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
I guess that's what it boils down to...
I’m just a huge fan of Yelich and believe he’d be an awesome way to build for the future.
Snarfalicious - January 11, 2012
From the Marlins, he would come cheaper also
They do not care about their farm system. One of the reasons that it’s pretty empty I guess. But they are fine with injury prone Johnson and Sanchez and insane Zambrano.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
That's why we wait for an injury and deal Niemann to a desperate suitor
MakeitRayn - January 11, 2012
Eh, damn Neimann will probably be injured also.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Why would the Marlins want Davis/Niemann at this point?
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
Would you trade him for Trumbo or are you one of the "OBP or die" guys?
joeybw - January 11, 2012
I would absolutly trade Davis for Trumbo.
2 problems: I don’t see them trading Trumbo, and if they did, it would cost more.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
Reds fans now want Damon
I can’t bare to see him play the OF daily.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
You're trolling at this point, right?
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
No
They want Damon
joeybw - January 11, 2012
whooosh
pudieron89 - January 11, 2012
Nice, not an easy lefty to hit and this was when he was playing injured
http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?c_id=tb&content_id=16313839
joeybw - January 11, 2012
So, still no idea of the numbers in the deal, $-wise?
I’m already thinking Carlos Pena…
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
Guaranteed is most likely low since Scott said it involves incentives
joeybw - January 11, 2012
right...
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
I heard $5m was speculation somewhere
Snarfalicious - January 11, 2012
Probably common speculation.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
It'd have been so nice to see this website which prides itself
on progressive statistical analysis breakdown the Luke Scott signing on a purely baseball aspect rather than the garbage i’ve read above from many posters
sternfan1 - January 11, 2012
Have you not been paying attention?
DeadeyeRR - January 11, 2012
+1
The “don’t let him talk about what he believes and I hate him for it” stuff gets really old fast.
mr. maniac - January 11, 2012
you and i used to be at odds, but lately we're meshing quite a bit and that's cool
sternfan1 - January 11, 2012
mrmaniacfan1
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
awwwww
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
I did it for you over at FG, sterny.
Link. My time can only be split in so many directions at once.
Steve Slowinski - January 11, 2012
Theriot still getting attention from us
I just don’t get that unless we are trying to pull of some kind of trade, involving, SRod/Brignac.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
Any idea on how Trumbo has played in the Trop?
How about Scott? I distinctly remember him killing us a few times.
playjoyce - January 11, 2012 via mobile
0 for 18 last season but was playing hurt
Over the last 3 years, Scott has more homers against the Rays than any other team.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Next move
I would trade for konerko/Ike Davis/Duda and trade for Conger/Torrealba… And call it a day
BossmanJunior333 - January 11, 2012 via mobile
why the Conger fascination?
AndrewTorrez - January 11, 2012
I suppose it's better than Lobaton who is defense only.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Conger's defense
Is horrible. Ike Davis would be awesome but impossible. I really wish we somehow get Konerko even without Sox eating some of his salary. Duda sounds great as well. I just hope we can give 200+ ABs to Canzler as he had the highest OPS+ of all minor league baseball and still 25.
Patrick Relano Kim - January 11, 2012
I hope Conger and Chirinos could benefit from having Molina on the team.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
If you mean defense only catchers
Conger didn’t really improve with Mathis.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Conger's throwing arm
is as bad as Damon’s. Look at his 18% CS. Having him our C, We will get hammered by Rangers all day.
Patrick Relano Kim - January 11, 2012
Are you sure?
I could of sworn his arm is crazy strong, his problem is accuracy.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
I was wrong
but I don’t think his accuracy is fixable as he spent 6 seasons in minor but still could not fix it. He is basically Montero with lesser bat.
Patrick Relano Kim - January 11, 2012
Well, would he be a downgrade from Lobaton?
Conger still has plenty of potential both offensively and defensively, I think.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
He still has potential
And that’s why Angels will not give him up for bag of baseballs and giving up assets to get him doesn’t make sense regarding his horrible CS%, for same reason Jaso got traded for Rapist.
Patrick Relano Kim - January 11, 2012
I think they would be interested in Dane De La Rosa.
They’ve shown interest in back-of-the-bullpen relievers.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
They would want
McGee instead of DDLR. I would do it in a nano second if it only requires DDLR but last time I hear there is no more Tony Reagins.
Patrick Relano Kim - January 11, 2012
Davis for Duda, DDLR and Cole-Fig for Conger.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
Then trade Lobaton for Shelley Duncan.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
Wow--I didn't realize the Reds are only paying $8.5M for Madson.
I wonder if that was ever an option for us, and spend small money on 1B/DH.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
If we spent our budget on a RP instead of a hitter, hopefully 2 hitters
This board would not be a happy place.
However, that did feel like a Rafael Soriano 2.0 opportunity.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Still no dollar figure yet?
I want to know the number!
Patrick Relano Kim - January 11, 2012
69
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
4/20
Just released.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
So, everyone, predict the next significant move the Rays make.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
Carlos Pena
Feel free to dream about Fielder though, I’m sure I will until he signs elsewhere.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
I'll go with Pena as well.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
Damon re-signed.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
I think 1B is filled via trade
Konerko or duda
BossmanJunior333 - January 11, 2012 via mobile
Is there any interest in LaPorta?
I still think there’s an upside for a guy with less than 500 AAA ABs
sternfan1 - January 11, 2012
Welp, he'd be cheap.
The Indians don’t agree with you and want a 1B as bad as us.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
there's been rumors the Indians are done with him
sternfan1 - January 11, 2012
With Santana probably moving to first
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
SHELLEY!!!!!!
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
Duncan?
sternfan1 - January 11, 2012
Yessir, I think we sign Pena, and Duncan is a righty bench player we could use.
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
with Aki and Gomes gone that'd be fine
sternfan1 - January 11, 2012
Aki will always hold a special place in my heart.
But that is one guy I certainly do not miss.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
I love Aki
He led us to Soriano which led to a great season and then Mike Mahtook
joeybw - January 11, 2012
But watching his running swing daily was about as fun as watching kitten torture.
Hatfield - January 11, 2012
One of the prettiest swings I've ever seen...
Oh wait
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
Kind of funny
I bat lefty and have modeled my softball swing after his. Its really an awesome approach and thing of beauty*
*Due solely to the fact that reaction time is not an issue in softball, and the extra step towards first has added value on a smaller field. I have no effin clue how he ever made contact against real pitching.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
I don't know how he made contact either, but he did.
And I do miss watching him beat the pitcher to first.
Whelk - January 11, 2012
I wonder if this Scott move could make Guyer expendable.
Thoughts?
sc_monsta1015 - January 11, 2012
No way.
Rays view him future regular OF as other teams look at him AAAA/4th OF.
Patrick Relano Kim - January 11, 2012
We need the right handed bat too much
BossmanJunior333 - January 11, 2012 via mobile
I think we value guyer much more than other teams
And its Scott’s throwing arm that got hurt, so unless they are looking at him to play 1b it is way too risky.
GomesSweetGomes - January 11, 2012
Nope.
Scott is a decent sized risk from an injury standpoint, I think. If he doesn’t work out, Joyce full-time to DH, Guyer in RF has to be the backup plan, I assume.
Whelk - January 11, 2012
What about torrealba
I understand the conger hate, but from what ive read, torrealba is frustrated being a back up and could be an option.
didnt lobaton and chirinos both get injured this winter?
BossmanJunior333 - January 11, 2012 via mobile
He's a risk in a different way
He got into it with an ump in Venezuela and might still be suspended.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
I thought he'd only be suspended in that country.
Speaking of suspensions, what’s going on with the Braun case?
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
Ryan Madson signing should break the pitching barrier that Boras has built
Not much there, just Jackson and Oswalt, I guess Kuroda also can now sign which should set up desperate teams for Davis and Neimann.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Eh
benderbrodriguez - January 11, 2012
http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6229/luke-scott
they change the hat before the team
tbmd - January 11, 2012
http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/6229/luke-scott
tbmd - January 11, 2012
Geovany Soto, anyone?
Cubs in rebuilding process, Soto is 28 who just had career low year. They have C prospects ready to contribute in a year or two. Bill James predicts him having .252 .345 .450 next season and at worst, he would still manage .700~.750 OPS. His defense is not good but not that horrible neither.
His price would not be expensive as he’s getting expensive and Cubs don’t need him that much. He is projected to earn 3.5m~4.0m for 2012. I would give up Dietrich and Barnese for Soto while Cubs eating like 2m.
Patrick Relano Kim - January 11, 2012
More on Soto
2008: All star year (OPS .868)
2009: Struggled (OPS .704)
2010: All star year (OPS .890)
2011: Career low (OPS .721)
Maybe he would have another all star year in 2012?
Patrick Relano Kim - January 11, 2012
I don't think Epstein will sell low.
mr. maniac - January 11, 2012
How are they going to sell him high?
Two more seasons then Soto will be FA and will not earn Cubs first round picks. Even if Soto rebounds, he would be expensive and only 1 more year to hit FA.
Patrick Relano Kim - January 11, 2012
Money is not a big issue for the Cubs.
mr. maniac - January 11, 2012
I'm a bit ambivalent on this one
It’s a medium-risk high-reward move a la Troy Percival. There’s a not insignificant chance he just stinks from here on out, wastes a roster spot for half a season and we have to pay him a full year. There’s also not an insignificant chance he fully recovers, plays like he did in 2009-2010 and we got a steal. For what we were able to do, it’s about as good of a move we could have made on the free agent market (although a little part of me would still prefer Matt Murton), but I still feel like there’s a better trade to be made out there where we’ve been just a bit too reluctant to part with guys who would have greater value to a different team than they do to this one.
Brickhaus - January 11, 2012
matt murton? really?
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
and i like murton, but when was the last time he got a big league deal stateside?
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
It's been a while
But the last two years in Japan all he’s done is be one of the top 5 hitters in the league. He seems to have changed his approach, and he’s hit his prime, and it’s been a long time since he’s had a chance to get consistent major league at bats. He’s probably even riskier than Scott, but probably would have costed less with higher potential upside and he hits from the side where we need more help.
Brickhaus - January 12, 2012 via mobile
I think the next move will be to add the 1st baseman but it almost certainly will have to be a RH hitting guy.
There is slim to no chance that AF wants to go into the season with two potential DH’s who cannot hit lefties and whether you want to believe it or not that is exactly the risk with Scott and those calling for Joyce. The same goes for the option of Joyce playing 1st base on a regular basis. The likelihood than is that he acquires a 1st baseman who can play full time as a RH’ed bat in this line-up. That makes for much easier Maddon match-ups and flexibility from game to game.
That way with a tough lefty pitching, he can sit one of Joyce/Scott, have at least a good RH bat to man 1st base. It means Zobrist can play RF, with S-Rod at 2nd and take their chance with Brignac at SS(or Johnson or another SS brought in as the utility guy). I do not see AF expecting a guy like Canzler to be the RH 1st baseman, either as a platoon with a risky Joyce(who’s defense is highly questionable) or anything near a regular player. I still think this sets-up for another alternative like Derrek Lee who will come cheap like Scott(i would guess about 3-4 million each) and will at least provide good defense. Maybe you don’t like what he did in Baltimore last season but he’s just as good a risk as Scott is in rebounding at this point.
I could see a platoon system with a cheap LH’ed bat(not going to be a relatively expensive 2 year deal w/Kotchman) who plays good defense along with a guy like Canzler who may be more productive as the RH part of that system.
budman3 - January 11, 2012
The belief has always been they want a left handed 1B.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
Perhaps at some point.
But if you can come up with a lefthanded 1st baseman hitter who can hit lefties and has some pop, point him out. Because without one, the Rays are going to struggle offensively again when they face a lefty, if they add another LH’ed bat at first, IMO.
budman3 - January 11, 2012
The Rays would like a 1B who throws LH
this makes for greater range to glove side while holding runners. It also helps that they are fielding pick off moves without having to backhand.
As far as hitting goes, with a left handed hitting 1B the line up still has Longo, Upton, Jennings. Guyer, Rodriguez, Zorilla and Molina in it. As long as the splits are not too bad, either a RHB or LHB should be fine at 1B.
Moore Guerreri and Cheese - January 11, 2012
You can shift guys all around the field to get someone else at DH vs lefties
But most 1Bs are left handed hitters. Limiting it to a right handed hitter really narrows down your options.
Brickhaus - January 11, 2012
Scott/Lee equals the exact type of move AF made last year with Manny/Damon
Both could DH, play LF, came cheap, filled needs, and were both coming off down years where their skills seemed to be diminishing. I would have liked a lot of other moves to fill the Rays needs this winter, like most here but it appears that AF is following the same “tried and true” approach that has worked for him in the past. And money will always remain an issue, whether there is apparent room to add significant payroll or not.
I still think a SP will be traded this winter for a young(or even 25-27 year old) almost ready 1st baseman and/or a catching prospect, along with an arm or two.
budman3 - January 11, 2012
Kotchman or Pena?
Personally I would go for Kotchman. He would be available for only half of the price Pena would want and he hits for average, which is rare in our lineup. I think Kotchman would hit like .280 .350 .400. Pena has some pops but his sub .200 average makes me want to puke. We need more guys hitting for averages as we struggles in RISP. Kotch is lefty htting .300 and I would take it over Pena’s 25 bombs comes with .200 average.
The best would be Konerko while good alternative would be Duda. But signing Kotch still makes sense to me. Platoon with Canzler, Scott at DH, Guyer/Joyce platooning at RF. We’re set.
Patrick Relano Kim - January 11, 2012
Last season was the only season Kotchman has hit .300+
He is a career .268 hitter, which isn’t exactly a sure thing to hit for average.
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
Pena
I guess I just don’t think Pena will cost much. Only other team looking at him are the Indians.
joeybw - January 11, 2012
I don't think the price difference will be that great
Most GMs are pretty fickle, and Kotchman had a better year last year.
Brickhaus - January 11, 2012
Last year was the only time in the past 5 seasons that Kotch was more valuable than Pena
and it was very close, 2.8 WAR for Kotch, 2.6 WAR for Pena. The other 4 seasons weren’t close with Pena much better than Kotch. Also looking at only the bat, Pena has had a higher wOBA every season.
ReyL - January 11, 2012
Oh man. We're really going to need that :) %.
I’m a little surprised at the baggage the Rays have taken on. Doesn’t seem like their thing.
Vin - January 11, 2012
manny?
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
Touche.
I guess keeping Hickey would count too.
Vin - January 11, 2012
He had eye surgery last year
It makes huge difference.. imo.
Patrick Relano Kim - January 11, 2012
ITT: site authors bash a comment for his religious convictions, again.
pudieron89 - January 11, 2012
commenter*
pudieron89 - January 11, 2012
ITT: site commenter bashes moderation for having opinions, again.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
Jerry Sands
A few ppl here were talking about needing a right handed 1B, this is a young slugger I really like. I dont know how expendable he is.
BossmanJunior333 - January 11, 2012 via mobile
He could be gotten for the right price, but what we have (starting pitching), they already bought this offseason
LHP Clayton Kershaw
RHP Chad Billingsley
LHP Ted Lilly
RHP Aaron Harang
LHP Chris Capuano
Unless they ship Billingsley to the Royals or somewhere.
Ben Tumbling - January 11, 2012
I would be fine with it as long as he came at the right price.
I know Sickels was really high on him coming into the season.If they already have starting pitching at the ML level, who else would we have to offer?
thedudeofdudes - January 11, 2012
Closer perhaps? Iffy. They're not looking like a fit
Ben Tumbling - January 11, 2012
Cobb or Torres or someone who is major league ready
but also who could use some time in the minors could be a match. Bills is probably on the move. Lilly is old. Harang and Capuano aren’t guys who are likely to hang around long (unless they got multiyear deals?).
SandalsNoPants - January 11, 2012
Bingo
60 % of their rotation could be gone in a year, so I would trade a soon to be major league ready starter.
Would you do Torres/Archer for Sands+?
BossmanJunior333 - January 11, 2012 via mobile
It sounds crazy
But earlier this offseason I suggested a scott/rizzo/sands 1b/dh/4thOF platoon. Same idea could work with duda. Rookies dont get overexposed and scott gets rest, plus more options based on matchups. 500 pa’s for all three. Torres for sands and davis for duda, not toooo crazy.
BossmanJunior333 - January 11, 2012 via mobile
Do you think a high potential guy like Colome would be enough?
He is at AA now, so he is getting close to the ML level.
thedudeofdudes - January 11, 2012
That might work out better for them
They already have kershaw, bills, lilly and capuano locked up thru at least 2013 and rookies de la rosa and eovaldi ready right now. They already have a ton of live arms in AA or lower, so maybe they’d prefer a couple positional spects
BossmanJunior333 - January 11, 2012 via mobile
like him as well. if they do get in on fielder (which i doubt) he might be expendable.
rglass44 - January 11, 2012
The first base question becomes clearer when Fielder signs.
And there are several teams that will have a need when that happens, which makes the market competitive. It may not be that just the Indians and Rays have first crack at the options available. The team that signs him may have an guy to move, the Indians may be looking for a 1st baseman, the Brewers, Cubs have a need, the Astros, Cardinals, Giants may be looking for depth.
budman3 - January 11, 2012
LUUUUUUUUUUKE!!!!
We will miss your majestic dingers.
We will not miss your gun totin’ or your racism.
Despite clearly being a bit of a crackpot, Luke was a fun guy to have on your team, and he really began to improve against lefties last year IIRC.
Good luck with him. Watch out for those crazy streaks.
zknower - January 12, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of DRaysBay to post a comment.