Rob Carr - Getty Images
7 months ago: ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 23: Edwin Jackson #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches in the fifth inning during Game Four of the MLB World Series against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 23, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Things were quiet over the holidays, but that doesn't mean nothing has happened; in fact, these past few days have been quite full of interesting rumors and news. Carlos Quentin got dealt to the San Diego Padres for a bag of balls and some bubble gum -- okay, the prospects involved have some value, but it just seems strange -- and I really don't know what their plan is in Chicago. Rebuild? Compete? A bit of both? They seem stuck somewhere in the middle, and that's not normally a good place to be.
But anyway, the more exciting news (to me, at least) had to do with two Scott Boras clients: Edwin Jackson is seeking a 5 year, $60 million deal, and the Nationals are looking like the favorites to land Prince Fielder. The Jackson deal is lulz worthy, until you start considering that he's been worth over 3.5 WAR each of the last three seasons and he's only going to be 28 years old next season. He seems like a risky player to sign to that long of a contact, especially considering his heavy reliance on the slider. But at the same time, he's a good pitcher and he's possibly underrated by most due to how long it took him to establish himself in the majors. Boras normally gets what he wants (or somewhat close to it), so I'm curious which team is going to take the plunge.
As for Fielder, you may ask yourself: how can the Nationals afford to go after one of the largest free agents of the season, especially with Jayson Werth's deal already on the books? The answer: a new television deal that will significantly increase their revenue streams. Sound familiar? Damn, it seems like the Rays are going to be one of the last teams to get a new deal at this point.
There hasn't been any Rays news recently, so let's hit up some other cool links quickly:
0 recs | 130 comments
Television deal
I can think of few teams that would benefit more from a sweet television deal than the Bay Rays. And it’s a shame too because their production values are so high and so professional. I love watching their games when I am in Florida in the summer. Comparing their product to the Marlins broadcast is the difference from a Mercedes to a Yugo.
FlagrantFan - January 3, 2012
Maybe the Rays and Marlins should team up
to form a Pan-Florida television network.
ThreeRunHomer - January 3, 2012
If they play at the same time, the broadcasted game would be the one with the highest attendance!
Hatfield - January 3, 2012
And the most aquatic creatures contained in MLB ballpark aquariums!
Passionate Apathy - January 3, 2012
Hope you like Jose Reyes!
Hatfield - January 3, 2012
Coco Crisp going back to Oakland??
So sayeth Bowden on Twitter. I can’t believe he’d want to return there by choice
Jason Collette - January 3, 2012
he is a california native
and i truly wonder how much else he really had going on the FA market…seems like he was a lot of teams 3 choice.
James Westfall - January 3, 2012
Good read on the stadium situation
http://is.gd/8DbZkF
Jason Collette - January 3, 2012
Nats are going to have Zimmerman a deal worth around 20 mil a year pretty soon
I don’t know how crazy owners are about having 3 guys making 20+ million a year at the same time. Outside of New York anyway.
joeybw - January 3, 2012
phils do it
People really underestimate the DC market. It’ll be top 5 once they start winning.
rglass44 - January 3, 2012 via mobile
also, I'm not sure Zimmerman is headed for a $20MM+ payday
If Ramirez gets $12MM and Beltre $16MM on the open market, I’m not sure that augurs for an extension that’s 25% above market. All bets are off if David Wright gets $20MM+ in free agency, though, which I could see happening.
AndrewTorrez - January 3, 2012
Potent potables
Edwin Jackson the last two years has put up a K/9, BB/9, GB/FB line of (7.26, 3.09, 1.47). When you look at other starting pitchers in both the NL and AL who have pitched 150 or more innings, the ten closest comparables are none other than…
1. Ryan Vogelsong (6.99, 3.14, 1.34)
2. Derek Holland (7.61, 3.2, 1.3)
3. Chris Narveson (7.25, 3.3, 1.05)
4. Ricky Romero (7.28, 3.35, 1.9)
5. John Danks (6.97, 2.72, 1.18)
6. Jeff Niemann (6.79, 2.86, 1.21)
7. Jonathon Niese (7.78, 2.89, 1.65)
8. Jaime Garcia (7.24, 2.87, 2.03)
9. Ervin Santana (6.92, 2.89, 0.98)
10. Brett Myers (6.93, 2.53, 1.41)
Not exactly the most gangbusters of a group, but he’s probably worth close to what he is asking for.
As far as Tom Tango’s class. My first thoughts were, wow that is pretty expensive and how are they going to cover all of those complex topics in just 20+ hours. But there is nobody more qualified to run a class like this that’s for sure even though a lot of the material is probably available online for free.
Xeifrank - January 3, 2012
BOOOOOOO
Welcome back, Damon.
joeybw - January 3, 2012
I'm still bitter about the Rays passing on Quentin for scraps
AndrewTorrez - January 3, 2012
He refuses to DH
Yes, he will play some games there but we would only want him as a full time DH.
joeybw - January 3, 2012
Source?
I’ve never seen this. I haven’t seen anyone report on this, and Quentin has DHed in Chicago each of the last three years.
As far as I can tell, the Rays just missed the boat on this one.
AndrewTorrez - January 3, 2012
All this means is no milb deal
Rays might need to offer a incentive-laden deal, but this is a guy who has never made more than 6.4 million in a season. With injury and health uncertainty, the most he’ll probably get is Damon money. So my guess is 3 mil guaranteed, with 3 mil in incentives, with some sort of team controlled 2nd yr option with a decent salary and decent buyout (so, 2 year, 10-12 million dollar contract? 1st yr 3 mil w/ 3 in incentives…2nd yr 6 mil, with a 1-2 mil buyout).
that’s not out of the Rays price range.
raysfaninminnesota - January 3, 2012
i think that's way under what he'll get.
pudieron89 - January 3, 2012
Agreed.
Somebody has the money to throw at him and take chance.
sc_monsta1015 - January 3, 2012
a guy coming off shoulder surgery who will be turning 34 next year?
He was never great defensively, never hit for a huge average, what Scott brings to the table is power, and depending upon the health of his shoulder he may not be able to do that next year. I can’t see a guy at his age, with his health issues getting more than a 2 year deal. Maybe I’m wrong, but DH’s don’t make what they used it. I’d be shocked if he got more than 2/12.
raysfaninminnesota - January 3, 2012
Batted .336 in 2006 in almost half a season.
Does that count?
SandalsNoPants - January 3, 2012
the quintin trade frees up the pads to move a corner bat even more
rglass44 - January 3, 2012 via mobile
i don't see any way they keep quentin, that acquisition made such little sense outside of the fact that they acquired a more valuable trade chip than the scraps they gave up for him.
pudieron89 - January 3, 2012
They'll probably just flip him for more than they traded for him
and look super-smart in the process.
sc_monsta1015 - January 3, 2012
ill take him as part of a rizzo package
rglass44 - January 3, 2012
this is what i'm hoping/expecting, davis + B-/C+ for Rizzo/Quentin
pudieron89 - January 3, 2012
Never give up
Next month after Quentin signs his multi-year contract extension with SD, maybe they will call in AF and youse guys to see if it meets with your approval.
bumbry - January 3, 2012
Nats' share a local TV network with the Orioles
So if Washington gets a bigger cut of the action, Baltimore will be significantly poorer. Not that the Orioles know what to do with money anyway, but there’s your AL East/Rays connection to the news.
ThreeRunHomer - January 3, 2012
Angelos owns part of MASN
so he benefits either way. Whether that finds its way back into the pockets of Orioles players is your guess.
AndrewTorrez - January 3, 2012
Angelos doesn't benefit from money he's paying to the Nats.
The O’s are a terrible team with a nearly barren farm system in a shrinking market. Contraction anyone?
ThreeRunHomer - January 3, 2012
The Orioles own the majority of MASN...
MASN is going to pay the Nats a number that they can make a health profit at, just as MASN is going to give the O’s a nice number when their deal is up.
I do not expect a charter franchise of the AL to get contracted, let alone any franchise.
Ryan Gilliss - January 3, 2012
The point is that MASN's revenue is relatively fixed
and they are about to have to pay the Nats a lot more money for their rights. Therefore the MASN profits that were flowing to Angelos/Orioles will be reduced.
Not a difficult concept to grasp.
ThreeRunHomer - January 3, 2012
How are MASN's revenues fixed?
They have dual revenue streams. Where are the Nationals going to go? They can’t shop their product on the open market as they are a partner in MASN. Having the product of Nats games gives the MASN the inventory to sell ads during the game as well as the leverage of carriage fees. So while, MASN may agree to pay the Nationals more for their TV rights, the Nats are participating in that too. Also, once the Time Warner carriage dispute is resolved the Orioles will be keeping 87 cents for every dollar that it brings in.
Ryan Gilliss - January 3, 2012
I don't really understand what your argument is here.
Angelos doesn’t pay money for MASN; he has a majority stake in it, plus favorable concessions from the state of Maryland and MLB related to his acquiescence in allowing MLB to expand to Washington, D.C.
Thus, even if MASN’s coverage is skewing towards the Nationals, Angelos still benefits. That’s my original point.
P.S. there is no chance that the Orioles are going to be contracted. There is no chance any team is going to be contracted, but even less that it would be Baltimore.
AndrewTorrez - January 3, 2012
I'd love if we not only got Rizzo from the Pads, but one of their Relievers as well.
Luke Gregerson, Ernesto Frieri, and Anthony Bass come to mind. What if we sent them Davis, DDLR and Ruggiano for Rizzo and any one of those three?
sc_monsta1015 - January 3, 2012
I'm okay with Frieri or Gregerson
but I wouldn’t want to screw up a Davis-for-Rizzo deal by insisting the Padres throw in a reliever as well. Not sure that they’d have any interest in DDLR or Ruggiano, although oddly enough I could see them wanting Elliot Johnson.
AndrewTorrez - January 3, 2012
Yeah, they probably don't even need Ruggiano.
Maybe a Dietrich/Bortnick type guy?
sc_monsta1015 - January 3, 2012
I wouldn't give up Dietrich for a reliever
Davis for Rizzo straight up, I like, and I think it’s fair for both sides.
Seeing how the team matches up with the Padres for Gregerson (who’s headed to arbitration and coming off of a pretty bad season for him) also strikes me as a good idea. I’m really high on Dietrich (and higher than most on Bortnick), so I’m not sure I would go there, but I would be willing to part with a fringe-top-25 prospect (C.J. Riefenhauser?).
AndrewTorrez - January 3, 2012
Sounds good to me.
My thinking is we (hopefully) sign Pena, then acquire a RP via trade. I just think we need more help in the bullpen, to help ot Farnsy, who I’m nervous about with his elbow troubles.
sc_monsta1015 - January 3, 2012
I don't see Pena happening
He’s looking at $12MM+ on a one-year deal, but more likely a multi-year one. Quentin would have been a great fit at half the price, and the Rays for some reason couldn’t/didn’t get in on it.
Another shutdown arm for the bullpen would be nice, but I have to say that it looks pretty good from where I sit: Farnsworth, Peralta, McGee, Gomes, Badenhop, Howell as a lefty specialist, and then one more arm from a pretty talented pool of guys (Torres, Lueke, De la Rosa, Ramos). I’d be okay if the Rays solve their 1B and DH problems and don’t make a huge splash with a reliever; I’d hate it if they added a reliever and limped into the season without upgrading at 1B and DH.
AndrewTorrez - January 3, 2012
This is spot on. The pen is fine and all but set.
Hatfield - January 3, 2012
All dependng on if we are going "all in".
If the Rays are willing to spend $60M or more than I can see us in the mix for Pena, easily. I’m sure they see the same thing we do: Most of the players on the team are getting more expensive and might have to be traded soon. This is the year to go for it if we can. I’d even say this is our best chance at the World Series for the next few years. Do you see Shields, Price, Upton, or Zobrist being on the team in 2016? Honestly, I think only 2 of those guys will be on the team next year.
It’s tough being a smaller market team—it seems like it’s always building for the future, but the future doesn’t come. I’m not saying we aren’t a top team, because we clearly are. The ultimate goal is to win the World Series, and if the FO is bold enough to say we are going for it in 2012, then I’m in. That is what I want to see.
sc_monsta1015 - January 3, 2012
Why weren't we a WS team last year but the Cards were?
rglass44 - January 3, 2012
The Rangers helped us with that.
Maybe we can figure out how to beat them and zoom through the rest of the playoffs. Yes, zoom.
sc_monsta1015 - January 3, 2012
because the playoffs are a crapshoot
but I use “playoff contender” to describe a team you’d expect to win ~90 games and be in contention for the playoffs, versus “World Series contender” to describe a team that you’d expect to win ~95 games, make the playoffs and be favored to go deep.
That’s a real difference. Sometimes your “World Series contenders” come up short (cough, cough, Boston last year), but I think the difference between, say, the Cardinals and the Phillies last year was pretty stark.
I think the Rays are, right now with tweaks, a “playoff contender.” I think it wouldn’t be hard for them to be a “World Series contender” — but I’m sort of puzzled that they bailed on a key opportunity to move into those ranks by passing on Quentin.
AndrewTorrez - January 3, 2012
dietrich and bortnick are not the same type of guy
pudieron89 - January 3, 2012
I just threw minor-league infielders' names out there.
As long as they aren’t serious, big-time prospects, I’m fine with trading one for a back-end bullpen guy. I just don’t trust Farnsworth to get through the season, as negative as it sounds.
sc_monsta1015 - January 3, 2012
Did you say Elliot Johnson???
The SD FO wants to move this discussion outside.
bumbry - January 3, 2012
They seem to like Zumaya, so if they added him and DDLR, they should be fine parting with one of their current relievers.
sc_monsta1015 - January 3, 2012
That might be why we haven't already made a deal
Anyone can pitch in Petco. Almost anyone, I wouldn’t trust Sonny there so I’m not sure how bad they want a SP. They probably want Lee just like all their fans are saying.
joeybw - January 3, 2012
Rizzo almost has to go, I can see them trading him for a Wade Davis type guy.
sc_monsta1015 - January 3, 2012
from Szymborski's ESPN column today
Jason Collette - January 3, 2012
As much as he's talked about, it feels odd not to see Rizzo on the depth chart already.
Hatfield - January 3, 2012
Here's hoping Anthony Rizzo starts the season with the Bulls!
sc_monsta1015 - January 3, 2012
Belt
Much rather deal for Belt than Rizzo, Last years experience was good for him. I feel like he’s closer to being a productive big leaguer.
I I would give up a solid amount more for Belt over Rizzo.
joaker5 - January 3, 2012
don't see how Belt is available, but I love that guy
AndrewTorrez - January 3, 2012
I don't see how we match up either.
mr. maniac - January 3, 2012
Not everyone is psychic
Neither did BJ.
bumbry - January 3, 2012
what?
Ryan Gilliss - January 3, 2012
anyone know how much the rays make a season off their current tv deal? and when does this deal expire?
davidsmarch - January 3, 2012
It's in the 20s, ends in 2016
Transplanted - January 3, 2012
Just in time to give Longo a new deal!
joeybw - January 3, 2012
for comparison sake, the nats are now going to be making around 60 (if i read that article right?), could we expect a similar payout for the rays.
as far as i’ve always read, we are one of the top 1/3 tv rating teams in mlb, anyone care to proffer a guess on what impact a new tv deal could have for what this team spends on payroll each season?
davidsmarch - January 3, 2012
We're a good comp to Seattle & Pitt
I’d user those as a base
Transplanted - January 3, 2012
Pretty sure Deadspin leaked docs
Had the Rays tv AND radio revenue around $13 million in 2008
td32 - January 3, 2012
that's almost as bad as what you'd expect from the Alabama Rays
AndrewTorrez - January 3, 2012
But the contracts reset in 2009 I thought
Or was I mistaken
Transplanted - January 3, 2012
Remember that 11 man staff thread?
You never know
joeybw - January 3, 2012
I hope he's a fall-back option.
I’m really hoping we can get some help in the back of the pen, whether it’s a Free Agent or in a trade. Honestly, I only see Harden as an innings-eater type guy, and some other team can do better than that.
sc_monsta1015 - January 3, 2012
As far as bullpens go, it doesn't get much better than Rich Harden at this point
His issue is you can’t use him too often, probably never back to back days or he will be on the DL.
This is of course assuming we don’t break the bank for Ryan Madson, that seems safe to assume.
joeybw - January 3, 2012
I still think we can do better.
I’d rather sign Ayala, but that’s just me. Getting Rizzo plus Gregerson/Frieri/Bass is #1 on my list, though.
sc_monsta1015 - January 3, 2012
What about Trumbo and Conger?
An Ayala type is going be very cheap anyway, Gregerson is going to wind up costing too much, prospect wise.
For example, what would the Rays need to trade to get Rizzo, Quentin and Gregerson? Or Rizzo, Gregerson and Blanks? I think his addition raises the price too much.
joeybw - January 3, 2012
I really like the idea of Conger, Trumbo is just buying high.
For Rizzo, Quentin, and Gregerson? Davis, Beckham, Barnese, and Bortnick. That’s just off the top of my head without much thought.
sc_monsta1015 - January 3, 2012
Conger
If we are really interested in Theriot, and have faith in Brignac, is Sean-Rod for conger good? Maybe a bit of an overpay?
sc_monsta1015 - January 3, 2012
I like the Sean Rod for a break out in 2012
And no, I have no reason to believe that, I just think he will. They continue to pick up starters to not give Conger playing time, he shouldn’t cost that much. Key word is “shouldn’t”
joeybw - January 3, 2012
Founded in 2005, DRaysBay is home to, "Progressive statistical analysis and reasoned argument."
Hatfield - January 3, 2012
lol
Hatfield - January 3, 2012
the ageless wonder, Darren Oliver
raysfaninminnesota - January 3, 2012
Typo
I think he actually meant 67
MakeitRayn - January 3, 2012
lol
benderbrodriguez - January 3, 2012
Ha. I read past the "typo" because it felt correct
Ben Tumbling - January 3, 2012
Who sees a Rizzo deal going down this week?
I do, now I just hope it’s to us.
joeybw - January 3, 2012
My ideal offseason:
Sign Pena (we are going all in by the way)
Trade Davis, DDLR and Bortnick for Rizzo and Gregerson.
Trade Sean-Rod for Conger (maybe a bit of an overpay)
Trade Lobaton for Shelley Duncan
Let Guyer play RF and Joyce DH.
Sign Jonny Gomes for bench depth.
This could change any day now, but this is my think as of today. But of course, one move will be made to screw up this whole thing. Like Fielder to the Nats. That would make the Cubs want either Pena or Rizzo even more, and are likely to land one of them.
sc_monsta1015 - January 3, 2012
Also, IF Sean-Rod is traded, and we ARE interested in Theriot, I see us signing him to go along with Brignac.
sc_monsta1015 - January 3, 2012
Sign Pena (we are going all in to the dugout when we strike out 7,000 times)
Sign Jonny Gomes for bench depth. (really?)
Hatfield - January 3, 2012
Brandon Belt Barter
Although he may come cheaper every passing day, I don’t like the Anthony Rizzo option at 1B. Isn’t it better to bite the bullet for Brandon Belt? The SF outfield depth chart is a mess. Belt is actually pencilled in as the only left fielder. Let’s offer BJ. We could then put Guyer, Fuld and Canzler to better use and free up salary space for another move. Maybe SF would also throw in a Javier Lopez too. I know we are expecting greatness in his contract year, but then again we’re talking about BJ.
bumbry - January 3, 2012
Huff is penciled in the OF
They plan to play Belt at 1B and either way, remove Upton and add Belt, even if you don’t believe Upton will have a huge year, how much, if any of a upgrade is this?
joeybw - January 3, 2012
SF Giants
i see some sort of weird platoon going on between LF/RF and 1B. Also Belt may spend some time in AAA. The Giants are very high on Brett Pill right now and he may have a big part of the huff/belt situation.
The Giants offense is a mess right now and they have made some foolish allocations of money in both lopez and affeldt…plus i really dont know why the rays would be interested in lopez at 2/9 million.
James Westfall - January 3, 2012
Whoops
Only saw the 2 not the 9. OK, something else then.
bumbry - January 3, 2012
The depth chart on Yahoo is always right
First of all, we need to find a spot for Guyer. We get another lefty bat with power we can put at 1B that may provide huge returns as years go by. This assumes all we get in return is Belt and don’t use the added salary space.
bumbry - January 3, 2012
It would be a major upgrade at 1b, and if Guyer is any good, there might not be much of a downgrade at CF.
It’s kind of like the Garza trade. We didn’t get anything that was a huge upgrade right away, but Hellickson slid right in.
So which is better? BJ/Des/Joyce OF with a crap 1b option or Guyer/Des/Joyce OF with Belt at 1b?
There’s more moving parts in these trades than just the players involved, and sometimes even without gaining an offensive upgrade, it can still be a net win. Now, Guyer would have to be pretty good, but I think he can be, yet many don’t. So who knows in this case?
SandalsNoPants - January 3, 2012
"but then again we’re talking about BJ."
Please explain. Not sure what you mean here.
Hatfield - January 3, 2012
Mr Hatfield,
Ryan Gilliss - January 3, 2012
Crisp getting 2 years/14 million can't help our market...
Then again, if we get Rizzo and Damon to plug the holes, they will still be cheap.
joeybw - January 3, 2012
If Crisp can get 14M
BJ next year could easily get 60-80M next year
Transplanted - January 3, 2012
It could work if they give it a chance
I mean, putting Jennings in CF and Guyer in LF next year. Upton is the next life time Ray that will leave but it shouldn’t mean that we need an OF right away. And hopefully, people are right and Mahtook will move quickly through the system.
joeybw - January 3, 2012
I'm sure he will
He was one of the best college hitters that year.
Transplanted - January 3, 2012
this is immediately what I thought when I saw the Crisp deal
AndrewTorrez - January 3, 2012
BJ is the best FA position player for 2013 too
Depending on how you view Napoli and Hamilton.
Victorino, Swisher, Bourn are good too, but BJ has an age advantage.
Transplanted - January 3, 2012
hamilton is better if not more frail and psychotic
pudieron89 - January 3, 2012
Better today, yes
But weighing age+injury history, it’s close
Transplanted - January 3, 2012
If I'm the Nats I pass on Fielder and wait on BJ and one of the big name SP next year
MakeitRayn - January 3, 2012
Crisp
has averaged 104 games per season over his 10 year career…never playing more than 145…he is 32 with speed and defense as his only attributes…he is honestly worth 4 million per year and the A’s over paid. but then again they had Reddick and Michael Taylor playing all three positions so they had to do something.
James Westfall - January 3, 2012
Kendrys Morales for ptbnl?
if this happened, how long would the two teams have to decide on the return? Like if Morales was deemed healthy angels could get max return agreed upon but if his health was still in question, they would get lesser value in return. Could this happen, with the ptbnl being decided in spring training?
BossmanJunior333 - January 3, 2012 via mobile
Can they wait a full season or is there some rule against that?
I’m fine with the Angels getting a list of players that they can choose from if certain numbers are reached. AF isn’t dumb, there wont be any top prospects on that list..
joeybw - January 3, 2012
Get creative
Maybe the FO can throw in the rights to all the offspring of Baldelli too.
bumbry - January 3, 2012
Just looked it up
Teams have 6 months to decide who the ptbnl is.
BossmanJunior333 - January 3, 2012 via mobile
yes, they can absolutely do this
AndrewTorrez - January 3, 2012
I dont see why they dont do this
It seems like a win win for both sides and minimizes risk. Angels dont have to worry about selling low and rays dont have to worry about buying a lemon. If morales is healthy and productive, I doubt they would have an issue giving up a good prospect.
BossmanJunior333 - January 3, 2012 via mobile
Don't put any calls through this week unless it's from the Rays
Gee, we should really bend over backwards to help out those guys who were nice enough to let us have Kazmir.
bumbry - January 3, 2012
I doubt if anyone will trade anything(even a PTBNL) for a guy who has not played in 19 months
Especially not now. Possibly if he shows he is healthy by the middle of ST when a team(including the Angels) knows that he will be capable of contributing by the beginning of the season. Plus you would want to know what you are getting for the 3 million he is likely to make over in arbitration
budman3 - January 3, 2012
you expect a raise in arbitration?
Ryan Gilliss - January 3, 2012
Well he made 2.9 last year(thru arbitration) and I don't see him being offered much less because he was injured..
At the least, I don’t think he can be offered less than 2.4 million.
budman3 - January 3, 2012
I'm just not sure how he wins any arbitration case
Ryan Gilliss - January 3, 2012
Reed Johnson was an interesting guy
Great D, decent bat. I’m assuming the Rays don’t carry Guyer as a bench player so Johnson might of been an upgrade over a Ruggiano.
joeybw - January 3, 2012
Signed with the Cubs, no?
Also, he’s not the same fielder he used to be.
SandalsNoPants - January 3, 2012
also, never a fan of buying a guy after his outlier half-season
but yeah: he signed with the Cubs
AndrewTorrez - January 3, 2012
Just sign Fielder
The team could make it work if everyone commenting on this site agreed to a couple of extra season tickets in a 10 year package. As a bonus, any person using 2 season tickets for a single entry, I’m pretty sure the Rays will install an extra wide reclining seat.
bumbry - January 3, 2012
lol
benderbrodriguez - January 3, 2012
bumbry, you're a promising new poster. please elaborate on your thoughts on BJs attitude, though.
pudieron89 - January 3, 2012
warning: troll bait ahead
AndrewTorrez - January 3, 2012
andrew torrez, future moderator.
pudieron89 - January 4, 2012
Justin seems to be the perfect superstar role model
Attitude doesn’t mean much unless you can correlate it with WAR.
bumbry - January 4, 2012
that's why i asked for your honest opinion. WAR don't measure attitude but it's obs very important.
pudieron89 - January 4, 2012
Rays sign Fernando Rodney (?)
1 year/$2MM according to twitter. I don’t get this, unless the Rays are seriously concerned about Farnsworth’s elbow and want a backup nominal closer type so as to define roles in the bullpen.
AndrewTorrez - January 3, 2012
Don't mind the player, but care about the 2mil
MakeitRayn - January 3, 2012
not happy about either
AndrewTorrez - January 3, 2012
Don't complain if you haven't read the contract
Rodney is also responsible for the towels in both locker rooms.
bumbry - January 4, 2012
This is just depth to me also. Hopefully he can bounce back.
2 million isn’t much in MLB terms and i’m not sure anyone has come out and said we can’t add to last years payroll. I’d love to see us get into the 65-70 million range.
Peter Piontek - January 3, 2012
Lets get more details first
A guaranteed RP contract doesn’t really fit the team right now, especially for an average guy.
Transplanted - January 3, 2012
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