Rays Aren't Done

Sorry to stray from the theme of this thread. I do not see how to contact scouting book directly but think he responded to some comments in another thread on this site, so perhaps he will see this.

You have listed Ian Kennedy under left-handed pitchers (#2). Please check that; I am quite sure he is righty. I also wonder at the comment in Kershaw's entry that he might be a bit behind Elbert. Unless you mean he is still pitching at a lower level (or is closer to affecting fantasy baseball), it seems a contradiction as you list Elbert lower than him.

Back to the thread. I wonder what people think of Ensberg. He seemed to be jerked around a bit in Houston and really declined dramatically last year, but he still walks and hits some home runs. I don't think he has a good reputation on defense, but as a possible relief for Pena against tough lefties and/or perhaps to fill-in at third if Longoria is left at Durham, might he be worthwhile? He could even serve as insurance as the RH DH if Baldelli reinjures himself. As terrible as he was, he had an .830 OPS against lefties in 2007 and for his career it is .936.

IMO Ensberg is better than the other options in the article but still not convinced he is the best guy that might still be available.

Leaving aside possible trades, I am not sure who else is a better choice.

Aside from the fact that I liked Ensberg before, he interests me because of the possibility that Longoria starts the year in Durham. If that is the case, it is more important to have a decent third baseman than a superior middle infield reserve, and other than Feliz I don't see a free agent who fits that description.

Feliz is apparently a fine defender and has some power, but he makes an awful lot of outs. I think Ensberg provides overall better offense. I think we could acquire a good enough infield reserve, even internally, more easily than a regular third baseman.

Christina Karl at BP likes what the Rays have done so far in the off-season, although I do not like the last paragraph of her review.

Does anyone know the status of Nioka, the Japanese shortstop? I cannot find him listed under free agents, but I thought he had declared. Apparently he is versatile and is considered a good fielder. Might he be a Rays' target? I think the Rays want to maintain a presence in the Japanese market, and he might serve well as a (super)utility infielder. Or again, as a 3B placeholder until Longoria is promoted and then move to the super-utility role.

I do see that Maeda is not yet signed. He is a lefty reliever about whom I have read some good things.