Smith: Rays May Hold Shields/Garza Back in Spring 09

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 29, 2008 8:53 PM EST

Good stuff from Joe Smith of the St. Pete Times:

That will allow them to make their first spring starts a week to 10 days later, with their appearances likely taken by the likes of RHPs Jeff Niemann, Mitch Talbot and Wade Davis. Hickey said the Rays could bring a few more pitchers to camp to accommodate the workload.

Smith also mentions the Rays seem to have some interest in Raul Ibanez and some notes on Rocco/Percival.

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Inreresting

I wonder if they will give any thought to giving Davis a rotation spot. He would probably need a 000ERA for them to consider it.

by joeybw on Nov 29, 2008 9:03 PM EST reply actions

He'll be a serious contender, if not a frontrunner, for a 2010 rotation spot

but 2009 might be pushing it a bit.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Nov 29, 2008 9:34 PM EST up reply actions

probably

but will be interesting to see what happens if he makes ST his bitch

by joeybw on Nov 29, 2008 9:45 PM EST up reply actions

Someone gets desperate for a starter early season and decides to sell their whole farm for one

and the Rays fulfill their needs, and rape their farm in the process?

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Nov 29, 2008 9:55 PM EST up reply actions

I like that idea

by joeybw on Nov 29, 2008 9:56 PM EST up reply actions

I forgot to mention

That Davis NOT being the 2010 rotation would probably only be caused by injury, god forbid. Hellickson is the question in 2010, whose he would take and if he would be ready

by joeybw on Nov 29, 2008 11:40 PM EST up reply actions

whose spot*

by joeybw on Nov 29, 2008 11:42 PM EST up reply actions

Are you THAT confident that Davis is better than Sonnanstine?

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Nov 30, 2008 6:00 PM EST up reply actions

1. More minor league ST invites (Rheino, Cali, Ring, etc.), to alleviate the ST workload of Balfour/Howell/Wheeler/etc and get some cheap relief blood in as well? Get to look more at the Durham guys, namely Thayer?

2. Raul Ibanez? I seriously think he’ll sign with an NL team, because he has stated that he “doesn’t want to DH”, and an NL team(Cubs? Mets?) will be stupid enough to offer him an OF job (lawn darts FTW!!!). And, he’s not better against lefties than Furry Boots (.794 for Boots, .733 for Raul). But then, Ibanez isn’t helped by the fact that he plays over half his games in pitcher’s paradise parks.

But without mentioning names, Friedman said “we cast a wide net.”

That’s always nice to hear.

4. Dear Percy, I know what you’re going through. I’ve had surgeries. I’m getting one for my back soon as well. You really don’t need to pitch through this, Percy. Please retire. It will do you so much good to simply rest up with your family and not worry about opposing hitters taking BP off you. Signed, Blicks.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Nov 29, 2008 9:33 PM EST reply actions