Twins & Rays Are Chatting

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 5, 2007 4:52 PM EST

According to the Star Tribune:

There are also some indications that the Twins and Devil Rays have been chatting about something. I don't have a lot of information on this one, but the only player I could see them moving would be Rocco Baldelli. I know they need pitching, but I've got to believe they want to keep Carl Crawford and let Delmon Young and B.J. Upton develop.

Besides my obvious man crush on Scott Baker, there's been rumors that Kevin Slowey could be moved, who knows how legit those are. I should also note the Twins were interested in Baldelli's rehab progress not too long ago.

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Re: Twins & Rays Are Chatting

What are the odds Santana's name is coming up during these chats between the Twins and Rays?

by floridaroar on Nov 5, 2007 7:06 PM EST reply actions

Re: Twins &amp; Rays Are Chatting

I'd assume the Rays would at least inquire, so pretty good I'd guess.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 5, 2007 7:31 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Twins &amp;amp; Rays Are Chatting

Yeah, it'd be like "Excluding Price, Longoria and Delmon, who would you like for Santana?"

by Jacob Larsen on Nov 6, 2007 12:27 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Twins &amp;amp;amp; Rays Are Chatting

BJ Upton

by raysrule07 on Nov 6, 2007 1:32 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Twins & Rays Are Chatting

For Santana I'd trade Crawford, but no one else.

Why the hell would you even consider trading the best player on the team that's a model of consistency on the Major League level when he is basically locked up for 3 more seasons?

To trade Crawford it would have to be for Santana or someone of his likes in the Bigs. No Minor League garbage that hasn't proven themselve's. That would be a horrid mistake!

It's time to stop the "getting rid of the core player" future stars, and talk about acquiring players to make this team win.

Management needs to put a kabash to trade rumors and start get'n 'er dun!

Unless of course it's all about the money and not winning?

by Mick 08' on Nov 6, 2007 7:38 AM EST reply actions

Re: Twins &amp; Rays Are Chatting

"It's time to stop the "getting rid of the core player" future stars, and talk about acquiring players to make this team win."
________________

I don't think you can name one "core player" the Rays have ever gotten rid of. Now admittedly, that is because, until now, they have never had any core players. I suppose the only such players ever on the roster have been Crawford and Baldelli, and not only were they not gotten rid of, but they were extended.

So while I agree the Rays should not be trading "core players" for minor leaguers, I don't think there is a shred of evidence that they would. The phrase "It's time to stop...." is misleading. In fact, at the beginning of 2007, having dealt Lugo and Huff for younger talent, Friedman announced that the Rays would no longer trade major leaguers for prospects, only for other major leaguers. And he has been true to his word. And I do not consider either Lugo or Huff to have been core players at the time of their trade, by the way.

by bobr on Nov 6, 2007 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Twins &amp; Rays Are Chatting

"It's time to stop the "getting rid of the core player" future stars, and talk about acquiring players to make this team win."

Never happened, but I'm glad you play the stereotypical outsider looking in on the Rays part so well.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 6, 2007 2:45 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Twins &amp;amp; Rays Are Chatting

Apparently, most people believe Huff, Zambrano, Hall, Hendrickson and Lugo to be "core players".

by Jacob Larsen on Nov 6, 2007 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Twins &amp;amp;amp; Rays Are Chatting

If they are core players you are a 90+ loss team. Two years before he was traded a case could be made for Huff. But that's it.

by bobr on Nov 6, 2007 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Twins & Rays Are Chatting

During the last off season there were people suggesting we cut Delmon, BJ (and Dukes). Now there are people who wouldn't trade them for arguably the best pitcher in baseball.

by floridaroar on Nov 6, 2007 8:03 AM EST reply actions

Re: Twins &amp; Rays Are Chatting

The best pitcher in baseball that the Rays would have for one season becuase there is no way they will pay him his asking price in the offseason.

http://tampabaysportsfanatic.blogspot.com/

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Nov 6, 2007 8:32 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Twins &amp; Rays Are Chatting

I don't remember anyone wanting to cut Delmon, and as for BJ he had no position and could not hit in the bigs because he was worried to much about his position. Would you say that is all fixed? Both are in there early 20's and can only get better.

Going with that logic, why don't we trade Pena for Santana? You don't because we have nobody to replace Pena. His position is to valuable to us right now.

As for Crawford, we can have Baldelli play left, and then when he pulls a hammy we can insert Gomes somewhere or trade for a replacement.

I also believe that Iwamura said he can play the outfield, so we always have him to turn to as well. If we do find a shortstop, and Rocco goes down, I would be comfortable with Iwamura in the outfield.

by Elgrandeplatano on Nov 6, 2007 8:46 AM EST up reply actions

There are even more options as well

Such as Ruggiano, Pridie, and probably Perez soon.

by raysrule07 on Nov 6, 2007 10:00 AM EST reply actions

Re: There are even more options as well

You really think they will be ready this year?

by Elgrandeplatano on Nov 6, 2007 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

Re: There are even more options as well

Ruggiano is, definitely, and some Rays fans believe Pridie(scoffs) and Perez(in the form of a pinch-hitter/runner) to be "ready".

by Jacob Larsen on Nov 6, 2007 1:10 PM EST up reply actions

This Rays fan

thinks Perez is more ready for the bigs than Ruggiano today. His superior OBP and good defense in center more than makes up for the (probably) lower batting average and slugging he'd have. Don't forget, even though Perez was a level lower, he still had a .900 OPS in a pitcher's park, while Ruggiano didn't do any better in a hitter's park.

by Brickhaus on Nov 6, 2007 5:43 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Twins & Rays Are Chatting

I do not oppose dealing Crawford in a Santana deal, but let's not be too optimistic about replacing Crawford with Ruggiano or Pridie or even Perez. Any of those options would be a huge step down and a real hit to the offense.

by bobr on Nov 6, 2007 2:42 PM EST reply actions

Re: Twins &amp; Rays Are Chatting

Agreed, but they wouldn't kill us, like if we replaced him with some bum.

by raysrule07 on Nov 6, 2007 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

Crawford plus for Johan under one condition

We get the Tyner back.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 6, 2007 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Twins &amp;amp; Rays Are Chatting

At this point we do not know whether any of them is "some bum". None have proven a thing yet. Again, assuming the Rays could lock up Santana it is hard to argue against the proposed deal, but it does create a big hole for which there is no clear alternative in the system right now.

by bobr on Nov 6, 2007 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Twins &amp;amp;amp; Rays Are Chatting

Looks like you've never heard of Desmond Jennings

by Jacob Larsen on Nov 6, 2007 3:48 PM EST up reply actions

Desmond Jennings

He's hardly a sure thing.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 6, 2007 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

Jennings

Oh yes, I have high hopes for him. But he is not ready to contribute in 2008 and likely not in 2009. I think the Rays will contend for the pennant in 2009 and may surprise people in 2008 even. Without Crawford the next two years the offense is far less potent. I cannot argue that the trade should not be made (speculative though it is now), but assuming the Rays are aiming at 2009 at the latest to contend, that leaves a big hole to fill, and Jennings is unlikely to be the answer until 2010 at the earliest. He may be very advanced for his age and experience, but he is still just a 20 year old in the Sally League which is low A. Crawford arrived at age 20, but he had spent 31/2 years in the minors including a full year at AA ball. And his first year, like Delmon's, was promising in that he was not overwhelmed, but it was certainly not high quality play with a .290 OBP.

by bobr on Nov 6, 2007 5:25 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Jennings

But who really cares? If you're confident you can sign Santana long-term (which is the ONLY way the Rays would trade for him), then the upgrade of Santana over our #5 starter is so huge that it more than makes up any dropoff we'd see in LF.

by Brickhaus on Nov 6, 2007 5:49 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Jennings

I agree. I simply don't think people should be so cavalier about replacing Crawford. It can be done, but not from within right now.

by bobr on Nov 6, 2007 7:10 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Twins & Rays Are Chatting

Back to a previous topic...what if Dukes keeps his act together? We could lose Crawford and have BJ, Delmon, Dukes, Baldelli and Gomes. That would allow Jennings and the rest to keep developing.

by Elgrandeplatano on Nov 6, 2007 4:20 PM EST reply actions

Rays Are Chatting

Coming into 2007, Dukes was my favorite new Ray. At this point, however, I think it a long shot to rely on him contributing to the Rays regardless of his immense talent. I am all for keeping him to see if he can straighten out, but I am not hopeful. There is no way the Rays can be confident that either Dukes or Baldelli will replace Crawford if Carl is traded.

by bobr on Nov 6, 2007 5:28 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Twins & Rays Are Chatting

I can agree with that... I am not using the word replace...we won't replace Crawford...but we can have a player take over...

Nobody responded to my earlier statement about Iwamura...He said he can play outfield, why not give him a shot? We can out Harris at second and just sign a shortstop. (Just rying to get opinions, I am not saying Iwamura needs to go to the outfield)

by Elgrandeplatano on Nov 7, 2007 12:49 AM EST reply actions

Re: Twins & Rays Are Chatting

One name that you guys forgot about is Chris Snelling. If healthy, Snelling is a very good hitter. Although his major league numbers thus far have not been that impressive, to his credit he has dealt with a lot of leg injuries the past few seasons (much like Rocco) and has a great minor league resume. In 221 major league at bats, spanning 4 seasons in the majors, he has a career .240 BA with 6 HR. However, in his minor league career he has a .311 BA, .395 OBP, and a .472 SLG%. Although he has below average speed for an outfielder, he has good power, hits for average, doesn't strike out much, and knows how to take a walk. He reminds me of Scott Hatteberg with more power. The biggest question mark with Snelling is health.

Aside from Snelling, the next best replacement for Crawford would be Elijah Dukes. In the Dominican winter league, Dukes has been batting third and is hitting .381 with 1 HR, 1 3B, 3 2B, and 3 RBI in 8 games. Obviously with Dukes, talent is not the issue. If there is a spot for Dukes on the team (Crawford trade or Baldelli injury), I think its in the Rays best interest to play him everyday and build his trade value. Given the chance to play every day, Dukes could become the Chris Young of the American League.

Other options for leftfield is Crawford is traded is Joel Guzman (who has experience playing the outfield) and Justin Ruggiano.

by BossmanJunior333 on Nov 7, 2007 1:57 AM EST reply actions