General Manager Manifesto: Volume II

by Matt Bishoff on Dec 8, 2007 2:41 PM EST Comment 15 comments

We all know about the Rays need of a left-handed hitter, specifically one that can play in right field. I propose we trade with the Astros for OF Luke Scott. I have contacted some people who are more knowledgeable than myself of the Astros organization to ask what it would take to pry Luke Scott from their hands. I have knocked some idea's around with RJ and we came up with 2 options for them. Also in this column is a full explanation of how a platoon of Luke Scott and Jonny Gomes would completely outperform Delmon Young.

Check out the trade idea's and the explanation of the platoon after the jump.

Trade option #1

Rays get: OF Luke Scott
Astros get: SP Jason Hammel and RP Chad Orvella

Trade option #2

Rays get: OF Luke Scott
Astros get: SP JP Howell and RP Al Reyes

Both of these trade's would give up a SP and a RP, but wouldn't have a major affect on this 2008 Rays team, except for Al Reyes. This move however would give us a formidable bat that would more than offset the losses. In return we would get our left-handed OF bat, that can hit for power.

I would like to take a look at how this potential platoon of Scott/Gomes would work out. To do this I first took a look at Delmon Young's numbers from last year. Last year Delmon had 645 at-bats, in which 74.6% were against right-handed pitchers. Luke Scott had 310 at-bats against right-handed pitchers and Gomes had 96 at-bats against left-handed pitchers. If you combine their stats and look at them as one platoon, their platoon would have 76.4% of their at-bats against right-handed pitchers, which should make for good comparisons to Delmons season once we extrapolate their total of 406 at-bats out to the 645 of Delmon. If you are still with me, these stats should be very revealing.

Obviously throughout the entire season we would not be able to strictly enforce this platoon. There will be instances where Jonny would have to face a right-handed pitcher, but this is just a broad look to see some sort of estimation of what to expect. As we can see from these stats our production from the RF position would greatly increase from last year. Our OPS at that position would increase by nearly .150 points, and the home run numbers would be doubled from last year for a much-needed injection of power to the Rays offense.

Delmon may one day become the great player he is expected to be, but if the team is trying to compete this year, then we have upgraded at that position. This analysis completely ignores Rocco and Ruggiano who will both play a significant role on this team. With the addition of Longoria to the lineup as well, this can become one of the top offenses in baseball for years to come.

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With Hunsicker's knowledge

Of the Houston farm system and Wade's lack of - in all things baseball - I wouldn't doubt us being able to pull of a heist of Scott and perhaps a minor leaguer.

Also one thing about using ABs, part of Delmon's problems were his large amounts of ABs instead of PAs, in the future using PAs makes a bit more sense when you're comparing a player who doesn't walk to two who do.

A platoon of Gomes / Scott would mean some serious light tower power, I just wish my Tyner / Gomes platoon would come to life - Florida Power and Light [Hitters].

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 8, 2007 2:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: General Manager Manifesto: Volume II

Delmon didn't have 26 Homeruns, at least from I remember from his rookie season.

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by Cory Alexander on Dec 8, 2007 3:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: General Manager Manifesto: Volume II

That was a typo, its being fixed, everything else is legit though...i just double checked

General Manager Manifesto Matt Bishoff

by Matt Bishoff on Dec 8, 2007 3:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: General Manager Manifesto: Volume II

Ok. I didn't doubt the others uncorrect, because from what I remember those were right except the homerun total.

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by Cory Alexander on Dec 8, 2007 3:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: General Manager Manifesto: Volume II

Those trade ideas are great, I would do either one but would lean toward the 2nd one.

SC raysfan

by SC raysfan on Dec 8, 2007 5:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: General Manager Manifesto: Volume II

I would also do either trade but would prefer the Hammel/Orvella because I think the Rays have soured on Orvella and I doubt Hammel is long for the rotation. While I doubt Howell will remain useful to the Rays, he is a lefty and might slot in as a long/middle reliever, while Reyes could be important both as the 8th inning specialist and the occasional closer when Percival is unavailable. He also is insurance in case Percival gets injured.

by bobr on Dec 8, 2007 5:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: General Manager Manifesto: Volume II

I was thinking that Hammel will be the possible 5 starter,or at least will be a pretty important part of the pen down the road. Howell at best will be a LOOGY and I hope I'm wrong but Al more than likely will get injured. So out of all 4 guys I see Hammel as the long term best player and the one to help us now as well. The only exception is if Al can stay healthy, if he does then he's more valuable if not then Jason is. It's a tough call but I go for the younger over the older which I think is a tad safer.

SC raysfan

by SC raysfan on Dec 8, 2007 5:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: General Manager Manifesto: Volume II

I can appreciate the thinking. Certainly the Hammel/Orvella deal cedes more youth. My own thinking is that of all the names, Reyes is currently the most important player to the Rays while the other 3 are either unlikely to develop or will be supplanted by more talented pitchers in the near future. While I do not anticipate the Rays will contend this year, I am expecting them to be much better and for that purpose, I think Reyes is the more important pitcher, even if he is only here for one more year. The others are unlikely to play much of a role this year or in the future with the big name prospects arriving. And I do think it important that the Rays show significant improvement in 2008.

I also think that Howell has as much chance to be a long or middle reliever as Hammel does, and as a lefty is more likely to be valuable. I do not think he is definitely destined to be a loogy like a Myers is.

by bobr on Dec 8, 2007 5:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: General Manager Manifesto: Volume II

I dont think he as much of a chance as Hammel, because Hammel is out of options. Barring a trade, we have to assume he starts the year on the team.

General Manager Manifesto Matt Bishoff

by Matt Bishoff on Dec 8, 2007 5:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: General Manager Manifesto: Volume II

Good points, I just hope we can get Scott for either deal. He is more than likely the best overall solution for our need. These different opinions that we have show how difficult it is to match up with another team and complete a trade. My weakness tends to be over-value of our own guys which is the negative for Lamar. At least we would both take either deal and hopefully the Astros would as well and TRO.

SC raysfan

by SC raysfan on Dec 8, 2007 5:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: General Manager Manifesto: Volume II

I fail to see how option 1 would get any player without significant ?s. Both guys are young and AAA OK but their MLB performance to date are nothing short of ugly.

Option 2 presumably features Reyes who looks like a fit on a team looking for a final part for a playoff run. JP Howell's only redeeming stat is his K/9.

I'll take either trade in a heartbeat. I'd be concerned that the offer would look like an insult to their intelligence.

by ttnorm on Dec 8, 2007 8:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs