Rays Sign John Rodriguez

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 4, 2008 1:05 PM EST

Encina, Cannizaro signing also announced, but we all ready talked about that one.

Rodriguez is 30, left handed, and walks, meaning I like him. He's formerly a Cardinal outfielder, and spent all of last season in AAA Memphis. He might be the first one up when an outfielder goes down to injury and seems like an insurance policy to keep a platoon alive if Floyd goes down, that is until you notice he hits lefties better than righties.

That Durham outfield is getting stuffed: Chris Richard, Fernando Perez, Justin Ruggiano, Rashad Eldridge, Jon Weber, and now Rodriguez battling for four spots - including DH - maybe there's a trade in the works?

I like the move frankly, it's not a mountain mover, and we still have areas to address: see third baseman and left handed reliever, but at least we're making the most of our spring training invites.

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Re: Rays Sign John Rodriguez

Solid pick-up, you think he'd be called up before Ruggiano? I doubt that seeings how Ruggi already has a 40-man spot. But I like this signing, he is definately solid with the stick and has shown that at the MLB level-

by nittsallgood on Jan 4, 2008 2:04 PM EST reply actions

Re: Rays Sign John Rodriguez

They also signed Cannizaro. Write-up of story here:

http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/01/04/tampa-bay-adds-some-depth/

by ET90210 on Jan 4, 2008 3:47 PM EST reply actions

Yes

But we've known that since the winter meetings.

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 4, 2008 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays Sign John Rodriguez

you picked the wrong reporter to bust out that nugget on....RJ started the Cannizaro fan club

General Manager Manifesto Matt Bishoff

by Matt Bishoff on Jan 4, 2008 5:32 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays Sign John Rodriguez

I really expect the Rays to trade Rocco at the first good opportunity - I'm sure they're just waiting for him to demonstrate some health - allowing Ruggiano to assume a reserve / platoon role. Might not happen by Opening Day, but we'll see. Of course injury to an OF (Rocco himself being the main suspect) would change that.

Rodriguez could provide the lefty bat for the bench as a 5th OF (with Gomes and Floyd in RF & DH), but that would mean only 5 IF's. And whether Longy makes the O-Day roster or not, there's still 2 IF spots to be filled. Somebody who could backup at SS seems required, unless you think BenZo is gonna make the club. Hard to imagine going with Andy C there - I mean I like the guy, always pulled for him when he was in the Yanks org, but really?

How about these 3 deals to finish things up?

Trade Rocco and E-Jax (or Hammell / Howell if they'll bite) to the Sox for Crede and Matt Thornton, Logan, or Sisco (Sox could throw in some cash). You get your short term 3B and LRP, no need to roster tweak.

Sign A. Cintron as a backup IF. Switch hitter, could come cheap - Jose Castillo signed with the Fish for $650K after $1.9 in '07 and non-tendered. Cintron in '07 - $1.9, non-tendered.

Sign Piazza as backup C and DH on incentive based deal so he can hang with his uncle, who I'm sure you'd love to see at the park more. Means Dioner would have to step up. Or just go with a cheap guy, maybe on minors invite deal.

Have to clear 2 or more roster spots - I'd DFA Orvella and Johnson. Might have to waive one of the 5th starter candidates - are all 3 of Jax, Hammell, and Howell out of options? Don't see room for all 3, maybe not even 2.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Jan 4, 2008 4:01 PM EST reply actions

Howell's not out of options, the others are

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 4, 2008 4:04 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Howell's not out of options, the others are

As always, thanks RJ. Knew you'd know.

But why not on Howell? He's been up and down each of the last 3 seasons, and you only get 3 options. Hammell's only been up twice, but if he was on the 40 the prior year (2005) and optioned out that would make 3, which I assume is the case for him.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Jan 4, 2008 5:04 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Howell's not out of options, the others are

Less than five years of pro experience means he gets a fourth option - drafted in 2004 - so this is his last option year.

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 4, 2008 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Howell's not out of options, the others are

Impressive - I did not know that. Though perhaps I could have looked it up - but why bother when you're available. Thanks again; always good to learn something new.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Jan 4, 2008 5:41 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays Sign John Rodriguez

yes! lets add Cintron, sounds alot better then Ben Zobrist, i like your thinking.

http://media.tbo.com/photos/sports/2007/oct/1003rayslogo.jpg

by Boricua on Jan 5, 2008 5:37 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays Sign John Rodriguez

by Boricua on Jan 5, 2008 5:51 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays Sign John Rodriguez

Eldridge doesn't need to stay in AAA, and I doubt he will. Minor league Rule 5 doesn't require someone to stay on the roster.

On a side note, for whatever reason I can't post comments in the poll threads. For the rookie of the year, I wanted to vote "other" (for Brendan Harris), but there was no opportunity to do so.

by Brickhaus on Jan 4, 2008 5:29 PM EST reply actions

Re: Rays Sign John Rodriguez

Someone disabled comments - not sure why, but does Harris even count as a rookie? He spent more than 45 days on an active roster prior to this year since he's played in 52 games before this year.

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 4, 2008 5:36 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays Sign John Rodriguez

Some of those 52 games came in September when service time does not count but I believe that Harris had already spent more than 45 days on a major league roster across the 2005 and 2006 seasons in the eligible time.

visit rotojunkie for your all of your fantasy baseball help

by UCFKnights on Jan 4, 2008 5:43 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays Sign John Rodriguez

By my count 24 non-September games, not counting off days and such.

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 4, 2008 5:45 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays Sign John Rodriguez

I thought it was Brick or UCF that pointed out earlier in the year that Harris had too many days on the 25-man roster. Isn't it 45-days no matter if you get in the game or not?

by tallyray on Jan 5, 2008 12:46 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, it's just days, not games

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 5, 2008 12:57 PM EST up reply actions

3ple A Question....

dispite the fact that we give alot of outfielders...
we still have plenty in the minors now with this addition...
wat do u see the starting line-up being with J-Rod in triple A?
do u see Ruggi, Perez, or Eldridge, and now J-Rod,
whos gonna be the odd man out?

I hope we see Royster in AAA towards mid season, but if so, then what?

http://media.tbo.com/photos/sports/2007/oct/1003rayslogo.jpg

by Boricua on Jan 5, 2008 5:15 AM EST reply actions

Re: Rays Sign John Rodriguez

Tidbit from the St Louis Dispatch

J-ROD IS A RAY

Former Cardinals outfielder John Rodriguez signed a minor-league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, the team announced Friday, and Rodriguez will be invited to major-league spring training. He burst into the majors in 2005 with the Cardinals, sporting cleats embroidered with "J-Rod," and relished being a big leaguer. Rodriguez hit .298 with seven homers in parts of two seasons with the Cardinals and had an at-bat in the 2006 World Series. He spent 2007 with the Class AAA affiliate and was released earlier this winter.

******

For me he looks a bit too much like a LFer only which diminishes what he accomplished in his 300+ ABs. Still a good invite to check out.

by ttnorm on Jan 5, 2008 9:30 AM EST reply actions