DRaysBay: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: College Football Preseason Top 25 Rankings

Friedman: "I still think we’re in good position to end up with an impact bat"

From St. Petersburg Times

Andrew Friedman speaks about the Rays quest for a bat.

“I still think we’re in good position to end up with an impact bat,” Friedman said. “We’ll continue to monitor the market and figure out the optimal time to make a deal from our standpoint and the player's. ”

Friedman said Monday that talks with several free agents have gotten “more pointed” in the past week, but nothing is “imminent” as they continue to assess their options from a field that includes Jason Giambi, Pat Burrell, Bobby Abreu, Milton Bradley ( rumored to be headed to the Cubs), Adam Dunn and Garret Anderson, and could include Ken Griffey and Moises Alou.

Jason Giambi, Pat Burrell, Bobby Abreu, Milton Bradley , Adam Dunn. Garret Anderson,  Ken Griffey and Moises Alou. Some of those names don't belong with the others. I have no idea where Moises Alou's name comes from. He will be 42 next season and has not played more than 100 games in a season since 2005. That's not the "impact bat" that we need.

0 recs  |  Comment 71 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

More from DRaysBay

Money In the Bank Pt. 5

Jan 2009 by Tommy Rancel - 21 comments

Money In The Bank Pt. 4

Jan 2009 by Tommy Rancel - 8 comments

Let Me Upgrade You

Jan 2009 by Tommy Rancel - 33 comments

Money In The Bank Pt. 3

Jan 2009 by Tommy Rancel - 7 comments

Money In the Bank Pt. 2

Dec 2008 by Tommy Rancel - 22 comments

Comments

Display:

Anyone think all this talk of "interest"

in GA is just coming from Maddon saying he liked him? For all we know, we don’t even want the guy…. his agent said he likes the AL West….

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Dec 30, 2008 10:49 AM EST up reply actions  

I don't think he fits with us either

Hell, I would rather have Aybar at DH than Anderson

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Dec 30, 2008 10:52 AM EST up reply actions  

Sabes likes the Big Unit

I heard he was going to offer Phil Neikro a ST invite to see if he’s got anything left in the tank.

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 Dec 30, 2008 2:52 PM EST up reply actions  

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Lance Niekro will sign a minor league contract the Braves and attempt to make a comeback as a knuckleball pitcher.
Just a few years ago Niekro was in position to be the Giants’ starting first baseman, but he hit just .246/.288/.421 in 195 games before retiring last season after being released. Now he’ll try to follow in the footsteps of his father Joe and uncle Phil, who combined to win 539 games with the knuckler.

by Vin on Dec 30, 2008 3:17 PM EST up reply actions  

Enough of this foreplay

Just sign a great hitter already and wait for Spring

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Dec 30, 2008 10:43 AM EST reply actions  

Tommy I disagree

I think that if Moises Alou did not have to play the field he could easily hit 30HR and knock in 100 RBI. He is a impact bat and has never been given a chance to be a full time DH. I say we sign him to a cheap contract with incentives He is a right hander who can mash when healthy and he would be the preimier DH in the AL if he could put in 150 games..

Devil Rays World Series 2009

by Japhei on Dec 30, 2008 10:44 AM EST reply actions  

I say we sign Milton Bradley

and have Nando off the bench

Who’s with me?

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Dec 30, 2008 10:46 AM EST up reply actions  

I seriously wish that people would stop suggesting that Bradley play the field for this team.

I’m going to have to start going all Oz on you types. “I CAN HAZ BRADLEE IN LEFT FI—*stab*stab*stab*HURGH! BLEGCH!”

by kericr on Dec 30, 2008 11:07 AM EST up reply actions  

alright ill stop

cuz i never started, I want Bradley at DH

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Dec 30, 2008 11:09 AM EST up reply actions  

I saw Nando off the bench and assumed you wanted him as a defensive sub

Using Perez as a PH DH seems like a waste of a valuable resource.

by kericr on Dec 30, 2008 11:11 AM EST up reply actions  

again no

platoon with Joyce or pinch run for anyone who isn’t CC, Upton or Barty. His range is great too in case we need a defensive sub.

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Dec 30, 2008 11:13 AM EST up reply actions  

I almost bought a Crisp jersey?

I was going to if the Sox won ALCS Game 7 was the bet I made with….myself

There is a reason to stab me.

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Dec 30, 2008 11:31 AM EST up reply actions  

I've seen people killed for less

Crisp? Wow why not just send your balls over to Theo.

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 Dec 30, 2008 12:00 PM EST up reply actions  

Hey, that's how sure I was the Rays would win that game

Never expected to buy a Crisp jersey.

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Dec 30, 2008 12:02 PM EST up reply actions  

I was for Alou at the beginning.

This was before I thought any of the top tier DHs were in the mix. Alou is like a RH Floyd. If he plays DH he could be good for 120 games and 20-25 HRs. Now that we’re in on the others, though, he would seem to be a bit of a letdown. I do think he’s a good buy low candidate for an AL team.

by rglass44 on Dec 30, 2008 10:48 AM EST up reply actions  

This...

Alou is still a good hitter by all accounts, but he’s just that a good hitter. He’s not an “impact bat.” We’ve all been talking about Giambi, Dunn, Burrell and Bradley. Alou, Anderson or Griffey would be a letdown.

by Tommy Rancel on Dec 30, 2008 10:51 AM EST up reply actions  

he would be the preimier DH in the AL if he could put in 150 games..

Alou? That’s a joke right?

by Erik Hahmann on Dec 30, 2008 10:50 AM EST up reply actions  

Alou is probably 50 years old

at least he looks like it, and is playing like it too

MLB-Rays,Marlins,Twins, and Reds
NFL-Vikings,Lions(i know Shut up),texans, and Bills
NBA-Timberwolves(also shut up),Cavilers(bye bye LeBron in '10)
NHL- Wild and Penguins
College-Gophers,Gators,Longhorns and Irish.
all of the above mentioned teams are in order by my favorites

by RaysOfHope on Dec 30, 2008 11:07 PM EST up reply actions  

Wait, he's better than Ortiz, Cust, Huff and Thome?

Really? At 42, without having played more than 100 games since 2005? Interesting.

by Aaron Campeau on Dec 31, 2008 2:41 AM EST up reply actions  

EDGAR MARTINEZ!

yes! what a good hitter to add to our lineup…….wait this is 1995….isn’t it?

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Dec 30, 2008 10:54 AM EST up reply actions  

boy I wish!

that would even make Moises Alou a young whipper-snapper too! Shoot, give me Ken Griffey Jr!

by raysfaninminnesota on Dec 30, 2008 10:59 AM EST up reply actions  

Mock Me

But check his stats when he does play

He hit 22 HR in 98 games in san fran the other year.

That is better production then we have had out of any outfielders I can think of. BJ Upton 24 HR season does not count he was playing 2b!

Devil Rays World Series 2009

by Japhei on Dec 30, 2008 10:58 AM EST reply actions  

It is intriguing, to an extent, I admit that

Hell, we did sign Floyd with two bad knees last year. But after seeing the names we should be able to get, an Alou or Anderson, etc, would be a major let down. We are in position to get a big bat in the middle of his prime, not a guy whose prime was in the last generation. Or not a guy who grew up when Atari was in its prime.

by raysfaninminnesota on Dec 30, 2008 11:01 AM EST up reply actions  

HR's alone do not equal production.

Griffey Jr. has 611 home runs and he’s going to be a slam dunk 1st ballot HOF. That doesn’t mean he’s the answer to our DH in 2009.

Moises has had a really good career, but that doesn’t mean he’s still going to produce at age 42, especially when he’s played 102 games in the last 2 years.

Burrell is 32 and has played at least 144 games in each of the last 4 seasons. He has slugged over .500 in each of them. That is what we need

by Tommy Rancel on Dec 30, 2008 11:09 AM EST up reply actions  

Man, poor guy never made the majors

nice pop though

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Dec 30, 2008 12:23 PM EST up reply actions  

201 k's in 2001

and still put up a .332 OBP, makes Craw look like a chump

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 Dec 30, 2008 2:54 PM EST up reply actions  

I think everyone agrees Burrell, Bradley, Giambi, Abreu > Alou

Alou would obviously be one of our worst case scenario situations, so I think you have to conside rit under those terms. If everyone else is gone, Id probably rather have Alou than Grif or GA.

Actually, if we could predict Alou to be healthy I would take him at 42 over Raul Ibanez

RBIs in Alous case were only a byproduct of being great, so I dont think it’s fair to discredit his RBI skills over the years just because it doesnt consistently give you a good idea of what a guy is capable of. Alou has been a great hitter when healthy and things like OBP and SLG support that. Oh and HRs are important when your lineup lacks that threat

by Rays4242 on Dec 30, 2008 12:47 PM EST reply actions  

HRs aren't important at all if you can score in other ways.

Also, any lineup with Pena, Longoria and Upton isn’t lacking HR threats.

by Aaron Campeau on Dec 31, 2008 2:43 AM EST up reply actions  

So when you are down 4-0 in the 8th inning

Having HR hitters isnt important? Of course you dont want a team like the WHite Sox who only has HR hitters and no versatility, but its nice to have balance. If Upton hits more than 10 HR next year I dont think we have an issue

Also, why do either of you think HRs are Alou’s only strength? His OBP hasnt been under .350 in 5 years and his SLG has been over .500 for the paast several years

by Rays4242 on Dec 31, 2008 12:54 PM EST up reply actions  

When you're down 4-0 in the 8th inning

Odds are you aren’t coming back no matter what your offense consists of.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 31, 2008 1:30 PM EST up reply actions  

that's not the point

Having a team without a HR threat is almostas bad as having a team that can only score runs with HRs. I think balance is good. Is that wrong?

I think to say HRs arent important at all, under any circumstance, is kind of ridiculous

by Rays4242 on Dec 31, 2008 7:43 PM EST up reply actions  

I think this is BAD news

Before, weren’t we getting a message that the Rays were in a great position to get whoever we we needed or wanted?

I’m a little concerned that the message has changed, and now, we’re just confident that we will get some random impact bat.

It could still work in our favor, (as Pena did), but I feel as if we may be in for a let down if we set our sights on a marquee name.

by plasticman on Dec 30, 2008 12:49 PM EST reply actions  

Friedman speaks on Joe Nelson

Heater

“We feel like Joe can really help our bullpen," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said in a statement. "He had a tremendous season in 2008 and has been very effective against both lefthanded and right-handed hitters. Our bullpen was a large part of our success in 2008 and our quest is to have one of the top bullpens in the American League on an annual basis. Adding Joe certainly helps on that front.”

by Tommy Rancel on Dec 30, 2008 2:15 PM EST reply actions  

Production wise it's about the same.

.800 OPS, but can’t hit lefties. Hinske is cheaper, younger and more durable. Floyd is coming off another injury plagued year and has a torn labrum.

by Tommy Rancel on Dec 30, 2008 2:21 PM EST up reply actions  

Yay, Nelson is finally officialy a Ray

DH time!

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Dec 30, 2008 4:57 PM EST reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Founded in 2005. DRaysBay is home to "Progressive statistical analysis and reasoned argument."
Start posting about the Rays »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Delmon_young_small
An Essay On Sternfan and Contrariness
Mushroomray_small
'nuff said
Small
We have our very own One Hit Wonder

Recent FanPosts

12755_172185683753_502418753_2742536_4790236_n_small
Who wants Revenge?
Charzissou_small
OTTOTD: 9/2/10: The Navel Gazing Edition
N18492397367_847_small
OTTOTD 9/1: FREAKOUT WEDNESDAY
Mod_target_small
Official September Call-ups Thread.
Mushroomray_small
OTTOTD for 8/31/10: Culture for the Barbarians
Small
Potential September Call Ups Show Next Wave, Top Organizational Depth
Small
From Big Time Yields to Big Game Shields
Mushroomray_small
OTTOTD for 8/30/10: Cletus T Mudbuffle and The Case of the North Carolina Ghost Train

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recent FanShots

How could you not root for this guy?
Garza in shutter shades.
Hawpe to sign with Rays
BJ Upton? Help me out...
White Sox Will Claim Manny Ramirez By Tim Dierkes [August 24 at 11:45am...
Anaheim's Ray of Hope
Adam Sobsey's Interview with the Wonderful Fernando Perez
Deadspin Gets MLB Financials
New A-Rod Shoes
Jesse Hahn mlbtraderumors.com and Raysprospects both report that the Rays...

+ New FanShot All FanShots >

Friends of the Site

SBNation.com Recent Stories

Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez, left, and Ubaldo Jimenez, right, celebrate in the dugout after Gonzalez hits his second home run of the game in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field in Denver on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010. The Rockies won 6-1. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider)

Five Numbers: Carlos Gonzalez's Home Dominance, Baseball's Wave Of Flamethrowers, And More

Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley, right, celebrates his grand slam against the Colorado Rockies with teammates, from left, Ben Francisco, Jimmy Rollins and Brian Schneider in the seventh inning of a baseball game in Denver on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010. The Phillies won 12-11. (AP Photo/Barry Gutierrez)

Phillies Post Nine-Run Seventh Inning, Hold On In Narrow Defeat Of Rockies

Detroit Tigers' Don Kelly (32) is congratulated in the Tigers' dugout after hitting a solo home run off Minnesota Twins pitcher Scott Baker during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)

Tigers, Twins Blow Series Of Opportunities, Gerald Laird Wins It In 13th

More from SBNation.com >


Baseball Operations

Rays_small Steve Slowinski

Zorilla_small FreeZorilla

Price_small Erik Hahmann

Pro Scouting

P6090001_small Matt Slowinski

Player Development

52376727_small rglass44

Profile_small BWoodrum

Small Transplanted

Flying-car-m400_small RZ

Ist2_3848124-steak_small hallax3

Small PGP