via media.nj.com
Hold onto your hats, everyone, as this news is sure to shock: Casey Fossum is back in the AL East. After spending the spending the entire 2010 season in Japan and dropping out of baseball midway through the 2011 season for some soul-searching, he has decided to keep plugging away with his career and has signed a minor-league deal with the Orioles.
At 34 years old, what are the odds the Rays face Fossum again in the majors? Well, virtually non-existent. Fossum hasn't been an effective major league pitcher since around 2005...and even then, he posted a 4.92 ERA and 4.56 FIP. Out of the bullpen, he can likely be an effective-ish LOOGY, but the homerun bug kills him all the time. In reality, Fossum is signing on to be a minor-league journeyman, with the off-chance of making the Orioles' bullpen if their roster implodes.
There aren't many former Devil Rays lurking around the majors anymore, so I always get hit with a bit of nostalgia whenever I see news about Fossum. Sure, you can argue that guys like James Shields, Carlos Pena, Ben Zobrist, and Johnny Gomes also played on the Devil Rays, but I'm talking about players that embodied the hopelessness of that era. You know, the real Devil Rays.
Oh, and as R.J. pointed out on Twitter last night: Casey Fossum has a job in baseball, and Scott Kazmir does not. Four years ago, who could have seen this coming?
0 recs | 14 comments
True story: Angelo Dundee spoke at my daughter's elementary school graduation in the 90s
His niece (or something like that) was in the class, and the girl’s mom thought it would be cool. My daughter is now in grad school, and Dundee is still the coolest guy ever to speak at one of her graduation ceremonies. He stayed around and signed autographs, talked boxing and whatnot to anybody who wanted to listen. Such amazing stories.
nomoredevil - February 2, 2012
The return of Pena makes Klassen's article apply on sluggers bunting apply to us.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/should-sluggers-ever-bunt/
Brief conclusion, seems like it’s a good thing, and that they should bunt more.
Whelk - February 2, 2012
Any idea who else will be hanging out with Dave Price and I Friday night?
I know SeanRod will be there. Wondering who else.
Hatfield - February 2, 2012
because they knew you'd be attending
Ben Zobrist, Josh Lueke and Luke Scott will all be there
sternfan1 - February 2, 2012
BJ Upton won't be since he heard Hatefield will be attending.
SRQman - February 2, 2012
"The real Nolen Bailey is going to be there? No thanks."
firemangreg - February 2, 2012
I was supposed to be there...
Had to decline because a bachelor party cruise trip falls on this weekend. Should be fun to be on a cruise ship with the flu…
Jason Collette - February 2, 2012
Steve points out the weak offensive bench, and this is why i think
two things are going to happen:
1- Niemann/Davis will be traded for a catcher who can swing a bat (Hundley)
2- The 25th spot will be a bat and NOT Reid Brignac (he does have an option)
sternfan1 - February 2, 2012
Not sure where this Hundley thing started but I wouldn't mind it. I think his bat is legit.
firemangreg - February 2, 2012
I doubt it.
To be honest. I like his CS rates, though. Seems good on defense. Good enough for me.
SandalsNoPants - February 2, 2012
I would feel better if the Rays had a better hitting AND defensive option at SS than Brignac
…at least to start Brignac in AAA. Keppinger, not a good SS and S-Rod, just average concerns me. If they could have counted on a guy like EJ(or someone else) to hit and play a plus defense at both 2nd and SS, they would not have had to sign Keppinger and could have gone with a better bat as the extra bench player. I think the bench offense as constructed now looks awfully weak with no power, especially with the back-up catcher being hardly used off the bench(only 27 PH PA’s by catchers last season).
Only option at this point is to add another bench bat(RH DH, back-up 1st baseman, COF’er) were if the Rays went with a 6 man bullpen which probably won’t happen.
budman3 - February 2, 2012
Damon & Vlad both seeking 5M via Stark tweet on MLBTR
Fully await announcement they’ve attended the Jermaine Dye school of negotiating.
Transplanted - February 2, 2012
Jackson to Washington
Maybe the Red Sox will trade for Lannan now.
This is absolutely amazing. I can’t wait for Oswalt to sign somewhere else or retire.
SandalsNoPants - February 2, 2012
Hamilton off the wagon again.
http://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/1/17/2713444/josh-hamilton-free-agent-extension-texas-rangers
Hatfield - February 3, 2012
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