Rays Looking at Veteran for Bullpen

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Nov 8, 2007 12:12 PM EST

The Rays have expressed interest in obtaining one of the following veteran bullpen guys for next season: Eric Gagne, Todd Jones, Frankie Cordero, and Troy Percival.

Cordero would be great for the Rays to get. That would be a big name closer they could bring in to solidify the closer role and move Reyes up to the setup role he dominated as in St. Louis. The others could help the bullpen, but aren't on the upside of their careers. Gagne is interesting because he was having a good year until he went to Boston, but I am not sure what happened to him.

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Out of those

I'd say the most likely is Percy with Gagne the second most. Todd Jones is a walking timebomb.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 8, 2007 2:52 PM EST reply actions

Re: Out of those

I really would like to see them get Frankie. I agree about Jones, I don't want him here. I wonder how much Gagne will want in a contract?

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by tampabaysportsfanatic on Nov 9, 2007 8:16 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays Looking at Veteran for Bullpen

Percival's unlikely to go to a team he doesn't see as offering contention, but he'd be the cheapest by far of the lot. Jones' numbers weren't worse than Reyes', he pitches down to contact so less K's, way less HR - and I wouldn't call Reyes' setup career track "dominating" - and he's from Alabama and seems to want to be closer to home. But his career is almost over so he could be looking for a near term shot at a ring - Atlanta's the standing rumor. Not that I think they have so much more of a shot at such, but they do have recent success.

I'm a big fan of you going for Cordero - it'd take significant cash, a longer term, send all the right messages. But the 20% increase thing would have to be tossed. It's the kind of move the org needs to make, but can or will they? Gagne might be had on a shorter term - he seems to be open to such, but I'd expect you're looking at $5-7 mil. Dotel's another possibility, but I still think Linebrink's the guy to get plus a lefty. The games got away in the 6th through 8th - Reyes just got too few opportunities. Setups and specialists are cheaper. McGee could be the closer of the future following Reyes - try to fix the middle for less.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Nov 11, 2007 5:02 PM EST reply actions