Baldelli to the Red Sox?? Please no!

by ZBW on Nov 7, 2008 2:44 PM EST Comment 27 comments

I would hate to have to face our man Rocco that many times a year. The Red Sox would be a good fit for him personally, but I think the Rays should try keep him in our organization. He's a big part of the nucleus of this team off the field and obviously can still contribute at times on the field.

From the Boston Globe:

The Red Sox are more than intrigued by Baldelli, but are trying to do their due diligence concerning his mitochondrial disease, which causes premature muscle fatigue. Baldelli is still a gifted athlete whose righthanded bat and strong outfield play would fit nicely with the Red Sox, especially if they deal Crisp. But the X-factors of not knowing how often Baldelli would be able to play and whether the condition is getting better or worse are important details the Sox are trying to determine. Baldelli is also going to continue to find answers this offseason, visiting more specialists.

Full article: http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/11/07/like_others_sox_are_biding_time/?page=2

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i know loyalty is a dead concept,

but if the rays want rocco back and he doesn’t come, even if another team offers more money, i am going to be very disappointed in the state of humanity…

by davidsmarch on Nov 7, 2008 2:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I won't be

It will mean that the Rays have dodged a bullet. It serves this team so much better if the right-handed side of the OF platoon is someone who (a) can play above-average defense and (b) can play on consecutive days against teams that have multiple lefties. We can probably get someone who fits that proifile on the cheap. There are usually a few guys like that available who are F.A.T., whose overall stats don’t necessarily look great but who can mash lefties.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Nov 7, 2008 4:09 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

Rec'd.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 7, 2008 4:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough, but Rocco can still play defense

I don’t know why everyone thinks he can’t. He looked fine in the field this season when he was out there, and made some big plays (double play at first base anyone?). Also, he will have a better grasp (hopefully) on his condition and keeping him around would have a HUGE positive effect in the clubhouse. He can still hit too! People seem to forget his HRs in the postseason…

I say give him a chance, 1 year. If he doesn’t perform, it will be a lot easier to let him go. Giving up on him now, especially when we clearly have the inside track on signing him for cheap, would be a mistake.

We do focus a lot on stats here, but numbers don’t always tell the story. Rocco is important to this team for reasons that cannot be measured, and that’s something that needs to be considered.

Make him the 25th man.

by ZBW on Nov 7, 2008 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He's said he cannot play back to back days in the field.

We do focus a lot on stats here, but numbers don’t always tell the story. Rocco is important to this team for reasons that cannot be measured, and that’s something that needs to be considered.

So were Jonny Gomes, Cliff Floyd, and Trever Miller. That type of stuff has marginal effects, otherwise losing guys like Kevin Millar and Johnny Damon would’ve left the Red Sox in shambles.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 7, 2008 4:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sure, but Rocco is better than Gomes, younger and better than Floyd and Miller

All I’m saying is that I’m not ready to give up on him, and I think a 1-year deal is fair. Give him the chance to prove me wrong. He deserves it.

by ZBW on Nov 7, 2008 4:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You're relying on a guy who hasn't played in more than 50 games since 2006.

There’s nothing good that can come of that.

He’s a nice guy and a good story, but we can do better, and probably do so for less. I doubt he’s signing for the vet’s minimum.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 7, 2008 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt you will find a better 4th outfielder and spot DH

For anyone to say they know what Rocco’s condition is going to be is totally ridiculous. Last year at this time there was serious question as to whether Rocco would ever play baseball again. Hell, Rocco himself said he was waiting for a doctor to tell him that this degenerative condition would lead to his death. Now, he’s back playing major league baseball and despite playing very little over the last 3 seasons, for someone who hasn’t played much, he looked pretty good when he was out there. Very few people can go away from the game for that long and still come back up with the major league team and hold their own.

If Rocco is available for a mil or under w/ incentives, then I think it would be foolish not to bring back a ‘buy low’ opportunity. If Rocco can play 3-5 days a week as a 4th outfielder, then bring him back. Rocco is still better out in RF than Gabe Gross, Eric Hinske, or Ben Zobrist. His bat is better as well and should improve on last year’s numbers as long as he stays on the field.

by raysfaninminnesota on Nov 7, 2008 6:32 PM EST up reply actions 6 recs

this is the post that I will rec

Rocco is not just a great guy and a good story. I would be against giving him a spot on the 25 man if that’s all he was. When he was allowed to play the field, he did it well. He is not as quick as he once was but the guy still hustles and looks pretty quick out there. He still has power, he gets clutch hits.

Yeah, he can’t play everyday and that is less than ideal but a guy who can do all that and probably play very often if limited to DH next season, why wouldn’t you want him back?

Also, if he HAS to leave, the Red Sox? Seeing him in that god damn Boston jersey would make me cry like a little girl.

This guy is not all heart, he still has plenty of talent, give him a incentive laden deal, if he can’t produce like so many people think, then we wont be paying him much anyway.

by joeybw on Nov 7, 2008 8:01 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

agree

Rocco still has a ton of talent, and like you say he did not look that rusty being away from the game so long. For some reason, I also have this feeling that he learns how to live with that disorder a little more, and figures out how to get a little more out of that body. I hope the Rays offer him an incentive laden deal and keep him, but either way, I hope he is still playing ball somewhere next year.

by free hotdogs on Nov 8, 2008 9:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He has a mitochondrial condition

They don’t just go away. I know someone who has one as well, and the best you can hope is to keep it in check. Either way, he’s never going to be able to be an everyday player ever again.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Nov 9, 2008 3:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rec'd for semi-brilliance.

Indie.

by Taylor H on Nov 9, 2008 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rec'd

Indie.

by Taylor H on Nov 7, 2008 4:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed and rec'd.

Although, if Rocco does indeed leave, I’d rather it not be the Red Sox. Or Yankees, for that matter.

This.

by Blicks on Nov 8, 2008 12:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with Brickhaus

I feel that if Rocco wants to play for his home town team, good luck. Rocco is a good story and came through strong during the playoffs but it’s too annoying knowning that he can only play every other day.

The Rays lost the World Series to bad umpires, Mother Nature, and the Philadelphia Phillies.

by thebaddancingraysfan on Nov 7, 2008 4:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

My guess is that other suitors see Rocco as more than a RH platoon-partner

They think he could play RF for 100-120 games a season with at least a league-average glove and hit at the league-average or better. As such, they will probably offer him much more money than the Rays would to be a platoon guy. And that’s as far as I’d want to commit to him. Unfortunately.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Nov 7, 2008 5:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs