Balfour Might Close For Australia in WBC

by Tommy Rancel on Dec 1, 2008 2:11 PM EST Comment 60 comments

MLB.com has an article up about the Australian baseball team and their prospects in the WBC. A few interesting notes on Grant "Sit the F Down" Balfour.

Balfour, a setup man for the Rays, would prefer a closer's role if he competes for Australia.

Don't really know if that has any impact on his role with the Rays.

The more interesting note is regarding Balfour's contract and the Rays. It seems Balfour is saying his participation or more importantly non-participation can be bought by the Rays.

"I have no idea if I'm going to play or not," Balfour said. "I'm going to see what the Rays come up with as far as a contract and see what they think."

And finally, he talks about talking to himself on the mound.

"It gets me fired up and keeps me focused and that's what works for me," Balfour said. "That's my niche, that's my thing. It keeps me on my toes. I really stay focused and I see the glove and I tell myself what I want to do, and then it's just visualizing and talking through what I want to do. That's what I do to be successful, as crazy as it might be."

In an unrelated story, there is another good sign on the Jason Giambi front. There is a chance Frank Thomas could re-sign with the A's. The A's would have Jack Cust, Frank Thomas and more options at DH meaning they may be out on Giambi.

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I might do a backflip.

There is a chance Frank Thomas could re-sign with the A’s. The A’s would have Jack Cust, Frank Thomas and more options at DH meaning they may be out on Giambi.

Please, please, please.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 1, 2008 2:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Beane probably values defense (see: Ellis, Mark) so that ain't happening.

Unless Cust has some season ending injury, no way.

That article sounds like a fluff piece that the team would put out. They’re not going to say “There is a 0% chance Thomas is back”, but the chances he actually comes back.

Giambi to the A’s is stupid too, IMO.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Dec 1, 2008 3:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What other teams need a DH?

Assuming no one signs him as a DH, what other options does he have? The Blue Jays just recently said that they dont intend on spending any additional money this winter if they cant resign Burnett. Other than the A’s an Jays, the only other teams I can think of are Mariners and Angels. Still, the Rays seem like the most logical fit. Maybe it just me, but I think there is a much greater chance some team lets Bradley play the field than anyone letting Giambi grab a glove.

by BossmanJunior333 on Dec 1, 2008 3:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

A 200MM team let Giambi grab a glove last season

A’s don’t need a DH. Jack Cust is their DH.
Jays, Mariners (again, rebuilding team, not an absolute need), and Angels (if they get Teixeira, Vlad might DH though, so Morales can get regular PT).

If the Angels go for a DH, I’m betting its one of the big sticks, and not a Giambi type. Arte Moreno has expressed some like for Manny, and if they don’t get Teix, I’m betting they’re going hard on Manny.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Dec 1, 2008 3:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So, in you guys' views, should Balfour be extended?

With market rates for relievers low, that could be some leverage on the Rays’ side to get him at a fairly reduced rate.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Dec 1, 2008 3:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I dunno.

It probably overpays for 2007 rather than his true talent level.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 1, 2008 4:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You mean 2008

Probably look at what he does for the first part of 2009, see if he stays healthy, then try to resign if it looks smart?

Or just go the “throw the guys at Durham and other random guys picked up at the wall and see if they stick” route?

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Dec 1, 2008 5:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oops,yeah.

I’d like to see that he can sustain a 3 RA or less success. Unfortunately we’re not going to have that much time to make the decision, so it just depends on the length and money.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 1, 2008 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm.

Mid 2009, maybe. Similar to Wheeler’s extension, maybe less since market changes which occured this year.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Dec 1, 2008 6:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

DEAR GOD:

Don’t let the Rays sign Jason Giambi. PS: Thank you for the Internet.

Let’s see fork over money to Giambi. The only reason we are talking Giambi is because New York writer thought it would be a funny idea to have the Giambino play for a rival.

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

by thebaddancingraysfan on Dec 1, 2008 3:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Um, no it's not.

The only reason we’re talking Giambi is because:
A) He fits.
B) He’s good.
C) Some people in the organization like him.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 1, 2008 4:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

In addition to his quantitative attributed, I have heard Giambi is a great clubhouse guy. I think he would be nice signing if we could get it done relatively cheaply.

by RaysTheRoof on Dec 1, 2008 4:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He's good friends with Carlos Pena, amongst others.

Giambi is extremely signable for the Rays and they know it.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 1, 2008 4:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pena's friends do well for ther Rays

Just look at Aybar. Pena was pushing hard for the Rays to trade for him and he worked out swimmingly.

by BossmanJunior333 on Dec 1, 2008 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ok good thing that baddancingraysfan said that he doesnt want him, they are definetly going to sign him now lol

see johnson, dan

everything Rays,Marlins,Twins and Reds

by RaysOfHope on Dec 2, 2008 1:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No.

We are talking about it because he would fit a need and it seems to appear that he would be a good value.

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 Dec 1, 2008 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I started pimping Giambi long before some NY writer brought it up.

from OCT 30:

He is not a type A or B free agent. As such, we’d have to give up nothing to sign him. Throw in the fact that one of our holes is DH, and he’s a great sign. He also sees over 4 P/PA every year and is always in the top 10 in that statistic. We’d be nuts at wearing pitchers out.

by rglass44 on Dec 1, 2008 4:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

same day I made this:

by rglass44 on Dec 1, 2008 4:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

which has since been replaced by this:

by rglass44 on Dec 1, 2008 4:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and this:

by rglass44 on Dec 1, 2008 4:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

but I'd still take this:

by rglass44 on Dec 1, 2008 4:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This one hurts my heart.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 1, 2008 4:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mine too.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Dec 1, 2008 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I just started to cry in class.....

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 Dec 1, 2008 4:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

if he goes to jail next year lets bust him out and change his name

everything Rays,Marlins,Twins and Reds

by RaysOfHope on Dec 2, 2008 1:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I will bet that he will NOTsee a single day in jail

It just won’t happen.

Jon Garland, pleasepleaseplease accept arbitration. Your mad iNNiNgZ eAtEr sKiLLz will be greater exemplified in next year's free agent class. kthxbai.

by Blicks on Dec 2, 2008 1:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i hope he doesnt have to go to jail, if he does then throw everyone who was in the mitchell report in jail as well

just dont single out the most prolific hitter in the report in jail, u think roger clemens has a chance to go to jail?

everything Rays,Marlins,Twins and Reds

by RaysOfHope on Dec 2, 2008 2:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Giambi was in the Mitchell Report

Jon Garland, pleasepleaseplease accept arbitration. Your mad iNNiNgZ eAtEr sKiLLz will be greater exemplified in next year's free agent class. kthxbai.

by Blicks on Dec 2, 2008 2:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i know, he was the only one to talk to senator mitchell

i never said that everyone who was in that should be put in jail, just that even if barry did do steriods and lied about it, so what? raffy palmerio almost did the same thing and he has been left alone, same with McGuire, who was there to not talk about the past.

miguel tejada lied and now he has been left alone and many other players as well, so they shouldnt be singleing out barry just because he was the biggest hitter of the bunch.

everything Rays,Marlins,Twins and Reds

by RaysOfHope on Dec 2, 2008 2:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

:(

That is all.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Dec 1, 2008 4:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That makes me want to vomit.

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

by thebaddancingraysfan on Dec 2, 2008 12:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You have too much free time.

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 Dec 1, 2008 4:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

or not enough...

by rglass44 on Dec 1, 2008 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Giambino needs his hair back.

Stupid Yankees making him cut it off.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Dec 1, 2008 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You mean....

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 1, 2008 4:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yes plz.

He just doesn’t look good without hair.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Dec 1, 2008 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

pretty please.

by walkoffwalk on Dec 1, 2008 5:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

or how about this?

by BossmanJunior333 on Dec 1, 2008 6:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Balfour meant, i'm not gonna go risk blowing out my arm in some useless tournament unless i have a guaranteed contract.

by walkoffwalk on Dec 1, 2008 4:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yet if he has a guranteed contract

They can force him not to play if they are worried about him blowing his arm out.

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 Dec 1, 2008 4:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

quick question

how do you post an image you make? I see the URL picture button, but how would i post an image i made thats on my computer without having to upload it to a site and use the URL post.

by BossmanJunior333 on Dec 1, 2008 6:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You have to upload it onto a photo site.

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 Dec 1, 2008 6:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

www.imageshack.us is a good one

Just make sure when you do upload you use the direct link to the image.

www.raysprospects.com
Trade for Billy Butler!

by Imperialism32 on Dec 1, 2008 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

such as?

by BossmanJunior333 on Dec 1, 2008 6:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

test

by BossmanJunior333 on Dec 1, 2008 6:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

ugh

i have a good image i wanted to share, but cant figure this shit out. Did the whole imageshack thing, uploaded etc, and then it gives you like 8 “codes” for websites, forums, hotlinks for foums and websites, etc. Any ideas which link i pick? Ive tried 2 diff ones and neither works

by BossmanJunior333 on Dec 1, 2008 6:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You want to use the direct link one.

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 Dec 1, 2008 6:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i found this image online

by BossmanJunior333 on Dec 1, 2008 10:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That is the perfect picture to see

when you just got back from the gym, and your back’s about to give in. And that’s not sarcasm.

I love ~~the photoshopping of~~ the tattoo though.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Dec 1, 2008 11:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

haha yeah

the tattoo was a fun to make

by BossmanJunior333 on Dec 2, 2008 2:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No doubt.

And bonus points for the tattoo actually looking real (even though we all know it isn’t).

Jon Garland, pleasepleaseplease accept arbitration. Your mad iNNiNgZ eAtEr sKiLLz will be greater exemplified in next year's free agent class. kthxbai.

by Blicks on Dec 2, 2008 2:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs