Judge Judy

by floridaroar on Nov 5, 2008 4:26 PM EST

Everyone else seems to be throwing around ideas for next year's roster. I figured I'd give it a shot.

I don't expect the Rays to make as many big money moves as the others have projected. Based on the previous history of our management I expect the Rays to pursue undervalued free agents and keep spending to a minimum, saving money to keep our core players together.

Here we go:

- Sign Brian Fuentes. He's a much needed left handed arm and would fill an obvious need as Closer. The Rays showed interest in him during the season. This makes too much sense. He's an A level Free Agent, but worth the pick in my opinion.

- Sign Will Ohman to give an additional, reliable LH arm.

- Trade Edwin Jackson to the Mets for Aaron Heilman.

- Sign Milton Bradley to be our DH.

- Beg Troy Percival to retire.

STARTING ROTATION

- Shields

- Kazmir

- Garza

- Price

- Sonnanstine

BULLPEN

CL - Fuentes

Ohman, Heilman, Wheeler, Balfour, Howell, Bradford (in no particular order)

LINEUP

2B Iwamura

LF Crawford

CF Upton

DH Bradley

1B Pena

3B Longoria

RF Perez/Gross

C Navarro

SS Bartlett

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Comments

Good job not spending a ton of money on you know

Fuentes $5M in 2008
Bradley $5.25M in 2008
Jackson for Heilman???!111?
You nailed Percy though

Kind of Meatloaf.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Nov 5, 2008 4:30 PM EST reply actions

This

Indie.

by .Taylor on Nov 5, 2008 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

Please show me a better closer or DH that can be had for less.

by floridaroar on Nov 5, 2008 8:02 PM EST up reply actions

For DH I would go with Nomar Garciaparra for 5-8M

before I signed Bradley for the 7-10M he is going to command. As for closer, who says we need one. If there is one person I would trust with a bullpen it is Mad Dog. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of his guys and when each should be in. That said I would like to see us get another shut down reliever on the cheap like say Jeremy Affeldt. Dude has put up good numbers over the last few seasons LINK Great LD% with a fluky BABIP. Gets a lot of GB is the other lefty that we need and has sick stuff LINK 59 Swinging strikes on his curveball. Sign this guy up!!!!

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Nov 5, 2008 11:06 PM EST up reply actions

Nomar?

Really?

Rays 2009 Slogan: "Come back with your shield or on it"

by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Nov 6, 2008 7:50 AM EST up reply actions

At DH for less than 3M I would do it as I have said in other threads.

Bradley is going to cost 3x that. Our financial woes really seem to be a hot topic and I don’t see us taking on any significant salary without losing Crawford. Percy’s 4M should come off the books and if I could give it to one guy it would either be Nomar or Affeldt (who I am really high on).

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Nov 6, 2008 10:06 AM EST up reply actions

Nomar?

I’m guessing, but go back over the past few years and break down the salary per game played (not on the DL.) I bet Bradley comes out cheaper than Nomar.

I like Nomar, but seriously question his ability to stay healthy. Bradley is far superior.

by floridaroar on Nov 6, 2008 9:12 AM EST up reply actions

You told me to give you a player and I did

I will take your silence on Affeldt as agreement. Dude would thrive here and be reunited with his “best bud” J.P.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Nov 6, 2008 9:44 AM EST up reply actions

I said a better player.

Nomar is no where near the player Bradley is.

I like Affeldt. I’m not sure what he’s going to get for a salary though. This is all speculation until they sit down and do the numbers.

If Affeldt was significantly cheaper and it came down to something line Affeldt and Ohman or Fuentes I’d much rather have Affeldt and Ohman.

by floridaroar on Nov 6, 2008 11:04 AM EST up reply actions

But...

There may be great value in Nomar. Not trying to shoot you down. A reasonable contract and a healthy Nomar would be a very good thing. I have major doubts on his ability to stay healthy though.

by floridaroar on Nov 6, 2008 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

No Fuentes please.

He’ll come with at least a 3 year deal, and least 10MM per. Way too much money for a closer.

And, EJax is worth more than Heilman.

Milton Bradley could be interesting though.

This.

by Blicks on Nov 5, 2008 4:34 PM EST reply actions

>> And, EJax is worth more than Heilman.

Maybe.

by floridaroar on Nov 5, 2008 8:00 PM EST up reply actions

You say the Rays will keep spending on a minimum

then say they will sign Fuentes, Bradley, and Ohman?

by rays1234 on Nov 5, 2008 5:04 PM EST reply actions

I'd be all over Ohman.

But I dont see him leaving Atlanta.

Rays 2009 Slogan: "Come back with your shield or on it"

by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Nov 6, 2008 7:51 AM EST up reply actions

He'll probably get a huge contract from Houston. The Astros love their overpriced relievers.

Indie.

by .Taylor on Nov 6, 2008 11:28 AM EST up reply actions

You've just put our payroll in the 75-80 million dollar range.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Nov 5, 2008 5:08 PM EST reply actions

And yet Carlos Silva get 14 million dollars a year.

Indie.

by .Taylor on Nov 5, 2008 9:55 PM EST up reply actions

The Seattle Mariners don't deserve their fans

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Nov 5, 2008 11:07 PM EST up reply actions

Chad Cordero

He was pretty dominant in ’07 for a pretty crappy Washington team, if i recall correctly. Definately worth taking a chance on if he returns to form.

by chancedj on Nov 6, 2008 11:18 AM EST reply actions

'05 and '06 he was pretty dominant....

07 seemed to be a bit of a problem for him. hmm.

by chancedj on Nov 6, 2008 11:22 AM EST up reply actions

Anyone can be dominant with even the crappiest team.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCR/2007.shtml

Like Joakim Soria. Boy would he look good in a Rays (or M’s) uniform.

Indie.

by .Taylor on Nov 6, 2008 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

They think they know what they have

They think, and are right, that they have a dominant young player that should be locked up long term, but no team that is rebuilding should do so around a closer. They would be much better served flipping him for 2-3 good prospects that can make an impact in 2 years, about the same time Bannister & Hochevar are figuring it out and Gil’s beaucoup dollars are coming off the books.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Nov 6, 2008 11:32 AM EST up reply actions

this.

Rays 2009 Slogan: "Come back with your shield or on it"

by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Nov 6, 2008 12:02 PM EST up reply actions

Don't be shocked if they make Soria a starter

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Nov 6, 2008 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

isnt that how he ended up a rule 5 pick. ORG FAIL if they do that.

Rays 2009 Slogan: "Come back with your shield or on it"

by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Nov 6, 2008 4:39 PM EST up reply actions

What are you talking about?

He was a Rule 5 pick because he had only pitched 6 minor league innings. He was under organizational control for a long time, but was pitching (as a starter) in the Mexican Winter League and absolutely dominating there. He has four pitches and used to start, and they’ve discussed it before. If trading away one of their other starters nets them a big prize, I don’t see why they couldn’t convert him.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Nov 6, 2008 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

Do you see anyone offering a big prize for Gil Meche, Bannister, Hochever, or Davies?

I guess I’m really asking is what do you think the value of Grienke would be? My guess would be exceptionally f’ing high. Dude is young, a stud, and into his arbitration years. No hyperbole I would trade Jackson, Niemann, Talbot, AND Hammel. Dear beejus do not let him come to the East.

Anyway, as I was lying in the puddle, I think I may have found
a way for us to get Bonds and Griffey, and we wouldn't have to give up
that much.

~George Costanza~

by Sandy Kazmir on Nov 6, 2008 11:29 PM EST up reply actions

Gil Meche could fetch something decent, although not a big prize

He’s consistent, as advertised, and compared to what starters who are worse than him are getting on the market (Silva, Garland, Oliver Perez, Washburn, Suppan, etc.) he’s actually at a very good value.

The big prizes are Greinke and Soria, though, agreed.

This.

by Blicks on Nov 7, 2008 12:51 AM EST up reply actions