Random Ramblings

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 22, 2008 5:47 PM EST Comment 34 comments

Tommy and I have been talking about RF/DH options a lot lately. Almost to the point to overload. I think I finally reached a conclusion, and I'll keep this brief:

- We lead the league in team O-Swing% last season.

- We were 10th in OBP.

- We were 13th in SLG.

Obviously more OBP would be nice, but I've actually arrived at the realization that I would be willing to punt some of that for a power hitter who hacks. That leads me to Juan Rivera. He's not a good defender, and not my ideal player whatsoever, but he does have some power, and again, we're overlooking his weaknesses for that power -- a lot like Eric Hinske/Cliff Floyd, only rolled into one, and right-handed.

In fact: if Rivera simply had a career norm slugging percentage of .468 he would've ranked third on the team in SLG last season. In 2008 Rivera didn't hit his usual amount of liners and had an awful BABIP, but if he can regain his .394 wOBA* from 2006, he wouldn't be a bad option.

For a cheap enough deal, he'd be a decent risk worth taking.

---

Also, I know it might go for naught, but I really want Jason Giambi at DH. So bad.

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Pornstache!

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Nov 22, 2008 5:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

this would be sexy

1. Iwamura 2B
2. Crawford LF
3. Upton CF
4. Pena 1B
5. Longoria 3B
6. Giambi DH
7. Rivera RF
8. Navarro C
9. Bartlett SS

Plus Aybar still gets pleanty of at bats at DH giving Giambi a day off against LHP and Perez comes in for defense in RF late in the game.

How much do you think Giambi and Rivera would cost? Im thinking Giambi would be asking for 12+ mil but might have to settle for 8 -10 mil since the DH market is so deep. Rivera is probably looking for a base of 3-4 mil with incentives. So those two guys could cost 11-14 mil, which definately seems way of our range.

Best case scenerio, we sign one DH/RF and trade for the other. Considering we know Jackson/Sonnanstine and Niemann both likely need to be traded, we have to take advantage of our trading chips before we throw the bank at free agents. Signing two expensive free agents wouldnt leave much room for tweak the bullpen either.

The advatge of signing free agents is not having to concede young prospects, however, you have to feel that Friedman’s strengths involve trading, so at the same time, you have to take advantage of that and give him the opportunity to rip someone off.

by BossmanJunior333 on Nov 22, 2008 6:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re:

How much do you think Giambi and Rivera would cost? Im thinking Giambi would be asking for 12+ mil but might have to settle for 8 -10 mil since the DH market is so deep. Rivera is probably looking for a base of 3-4 mil with incentives. So those two guys could cost 11-14 mil, which definately seems way of our range.

Are you saying that Giambi + Rivera would be out of our range or in our range?

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Nov 22, 2008 8:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

definately out of our price range

Unless Friedman wants to increase payroll close to 70 million. More than likely, a little over 60 million is what we can expect. In house, we are around 55 million. However, drop Percival, Gomes, Gross, and Jackson (in a trade), and that opens up an additional 9 mil.

While we could conceivably afford Giambi and Rivera, we have to take advantage of our trade chips and address our problems. In trading, we could definately get similar levels of talent but at a much smaller price tag.

by BossmanJunior333 on Nov 22, 2008 8:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You're right.

Who would you suppose the Rays trade Jackson for?

I like Brian Giles, but the Padres won’t take an arbitration eligible player back. Trade EJax for prospects, then send those prospects to the Padres? And, no way the Rays afford both Giles and Giambi.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Nov 22, 2008 8:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Giles or Giambi

not both. Giles makes 9 million in 09 and has a 2 million dollar trade bonus, that I believe the two teams would split. So essentially, Giles would cost us 10 million. So Giles and Giambi combined is likely around 20 million dollars, which the Rays would never do. Whoever they trade for, I expect them to be a cheaper young player under team control with untapped potential. And I expect them to spend money on the free agent. Similar to how Friedman traded for Aybar and signed Floyd.

by BossmanJunior333 on Nov 22, 2008 9:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have a feeling

Rays will trade for a RF/DH involving Jackson/Niemann, sign a DH/RF (possibly F.A.T. player), trade for a late game reliever involving Jackson/Niemann, resign Rocco, and sign a FA loogy (possibly a FAT)

by BossmanJunior333 on Nov 22, 2008 9:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll say this

The line-up you proposed here is very possibly our line-up next year.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Nov 23, 2008 12:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yea. i don't like CC that high in the lineup, though

by walkoffwalk on Nov 23, 2008 9:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was talking about the players in the line-up. Wasn't really paying attention to the actual construction of it.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Nov 23, 2008 1:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

then i like it a lot.

by walkoffwalk on Nov 23, 2008 7:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Giambi shouldn't get a large contract because he can only play DH (eliminates half the teams, and the two largest markets don't want him--Yanks/Sox)

by walkoffwalk on Nov 23, 2008 9:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Giambi Please

by Erik Hahmann on Nov 22, 2008 7:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This.

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls, Riggans Your Thingans
09: This one is for all the rings.

by SRQman on Nov 22, 2008 7:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Giambino for DH? Yes plz.

But he has to regrow the stache.

Juan Rivera and the DL are friends. No Juan Rivera.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Nov 22, 2008 8:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

But cheap Rivera...

Then again, I feel like we can find someone just as good for less.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 22, 2008 8:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You'll get your F.A.T. wish with the bullpen

And I agree that someone who would be as good (whether its talentwise and/or sheer ability to stay on the damn field) can be found for less. Like Ryan Langerhans…wait…damn you Jim Bowden.

Sorry to rain on the parade, but do you think the Rays will be able to afford Giambi, at 8-10MM/yr, if Percy doesn’t retire.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Nov 22, 2008 8:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No idea if we can afford him.

I just want him bad. I’m not afraid of being let down with hopes. I’ve wanted Bonds forever now.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 22, 2008 10:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Rivera

I probably should’ve made this clearer. I don’t LOVE his style at all, but his power is worth something. If we can find someone with similar power and better fielding/O-Swing/OBP skills, then definitely take them, but if Rivera comes cheap enough, I guess I’d be okay with that.

No Jose Guillen type deal, obviously.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 22, 2008 10:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I probably wasn't that clear myself either.

Bonds not having been signed by anyone hurts my heart.

Since you mention Guillen, I’d think that the Guillen 2007 type deal w/ the M’s is what he’d get (1yr/5MM with an option for 2010), maybe slightly less for Rivera.

But, I think we both agree, if there’s a FAT option who can match Juan’s contribution, or someone who’s within price range (Bradley, Giambi, etc) who’s a better player, take him, but Rivera’s a decent DH platoon guy.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Nov 22, 2008 11:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs