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# Rays: They are looking to add a couple of hitters to fill holes in right field and at designated hitter, and among the free-agent targets are Giambi, Burrell, and Rivera, while they have also inquired about dealing for Hermida. They have many young trading chips, including Sonnanstine and fellow starting pitchers Edwin Jackson and Jeff Niemann, shortstop Reid Brignac, and outfielder Justin Ruggiano.
about 3 years ago
R.J. Anderson
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I know the Rays had a worst record against lefties than righties last year,
but I am not sure that is meaningful. We have two potential righty power hitters in the lineup in Longoria and Upton but only one lefty (Pena). True, with Crawford and Iwamura the lineup is somewhat lefty oriented, but Navarro and Aybar are probably better as righties. Iwamura has also hit lefties better in his career. We can use a right-handed complement to Gross in RF if he is part of a platoon, but I see no reason that the Rays should not be equally interested in a lefty DH if he is better than the available right handed ones.
Also, the only really dangerous lefty starter in the division (currently on a roster) is Lester. (I don’t count Purcey regardless of what he did to us last year.) Of course Sabathia would alter that if he joins an AL East team, but the starters are still predominantly righty as are the two most impressive closers.
You definitely don't want lefties back to back, turning a mediocre LOOGY into a decent option
Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.
Why would we have to have back to back lefties?
If it is Iwamura-Crawford at the top, that is not affected by acquiring a RF or DH. And historically, Iwamura has hit lefties better than righties anyway. Even Crawford is not helpless against them, although he is less effective. Then Upton, then the lefty perhaps, then Longoria, then Pena and the last 3 are Aybar, Navarro and Bartlett. Or perhaps a another lefty in there in place of Aybar. There are all sorts of configurations where, should one of the big bats the Rays acquire is lefty, the Rays could separate lefties and righties.
It seems like
we are in the same postion as the Mets. They need a closer and there are a ton available. It has been suggested that they will make an offer to all of the top free agent closers and take the first one to bite on an offer. Rays could very well take the same approach. Offer Giambi a 2 year deal (2/16), Bradley a 3 year deal (3/27), Dunn a 2 year deal (2/18), etc… First one to bite is our DH next season.
by BossmanJunior333 on Dec 7, 2008 2:16 PM EST reply actions
what do you guys think would get a deal done for hermida?
they might need a catcher if they dont think baker is ready to be a fulltime catcher or if they dont sign pudge who they say they have some interest in, so how about straight up for jaso?
everything Rays,Marlins,Twins and Reds
probably
Jaso and a lower level prospect. They might want to take a chance on Ruggiano too. If they trade Hermida, they are left with an outfield of Maybin, Ross, and Amezaga (who is a better utility option). I could see them wanting Ruggiano back in the deal. Might want to expand it to Ruggiano and Jaso for Hermedia and a throw in. Unlike others, I am actually a fan of Hermida and would welcome his bat and defense in the line up.
by BossmanJunior333 on Dec 7, 2008 7:05 PM EST up reply actions
no their other COF would probably be john raynor or i have heard that if logan morrison has a big spring that he might get a shot
amezaga is a super utility guy, i love him but not as a fulltime starter
everything Rays,Marlins,Twins and Reds
I'm not crazy about Hermida
Only a .730 career OPS against lefties, and not enough defense to make up for it. Although, Hermida + signing a DH would be awesome.
I’d think that finding a platoon partner for Gross might cost less than acquiring Hermida.
It’s hard though. I’ll have to join RJ in the “I’m torn” camp.
Jon Garland, pleasepleaseplease accept arbitration. Your mad iNNiNgZ eAtEr sKiLLz will be greater exemplified in next year's free agent class. kthxbai.
Cody Ross would make a nice platoon partner, and he's a good defender.
by R.J. Anderson on Dec 7, 2008 7:25 PM EST up reply actions
Plus: cheap, and possibly entering prime.
Um, hi.
by R.J. Anderson on Dec 7, 2008 7:26 PM EST up reply actions
A .966 OPS against LHB? Sign me up.
Hermida for Jaso, maybe. Straight up?
Jon Garland, pleasepleaseplease accept arbitration. Your mad iNNiNgZ eAtEr sKiLLz will be greater exemplified in next year's free agent class. kthxbai.
I meant Ross, not Hermida.
Jon Garland, pleasepleaseplease accept arbitration. Your mad iNNiNgZ eAtEr sKiLLz will be greater exemplified in next year's free agent class. kthxbai.
Dunno.
Jaso:
- two option years remain
- questions about position
- questions about health
+ excellent discipline
+ good power
+ relatively young (25)
The Rays have Navarro for at least three more seasons. Navarro’s defense is clearly better, he’s younger, and he’s a league average hitter as a catcher.
I’m not really sure what Jaso’s ceiling is, 3-3.5 WAR max because of his poor defense? Ross is around a 3 WAR player next year, and probably until he’s a free agent (in three seasons.)
by R.J. Anderson on Dec 7, 2008 7:44 PM EST up reply actions
Hmm. Maybe Jaso + someone else?
Jon Garland, pleasepleaseplease accept arbitration. Your mad iNNiNgZ eAtEr sKiLLz will be greater exemplified in next year's free agent class. kthxbai.
thats exactly why
they wouldnt want to trade Ross. He is cheap, which means everything to the Marlins. They would much rather trade hermida because he is entering arb and because Ross can play all three outfield positions with better defense. Doubt they will trade Ross.
by BossmanJunior333 on Dec 7, 2008 8:03 PM EST up reply actions
So, both can pretty much be had.
Jon Garland, pleasepleaseplease accept arbitration. Your mad iNNiNgZ eAtEr sKiLLz will be greater exemplified in next year's free agent class. kthxbai.
They probably want more than Jaso
One of Moore or Barnese, and a couple of C to C+ prospects (i.e. Cobb, Ruggiano, etc.) would probably do it
Vogt early, Vogt often.
no way
Moore and Barnese would be top 4 prospects on most clubs. Plus Marlins love under the radar prospects. I still think Ruggiano + a B prospect gets it done. Still think Jaso and Ruggiano would be too much.
by BossmanJunior333 on Dec 8, 2008 3:55 AM EST up reply actions
I don't even like Hermida
And I don’t think Jaso + Talbot/Rollins is a fair return
Vogt early, Vogt often.
If we get Hermida i am Rays fan for life.
those of you torn on Hermida… uh, don’t be. he’s my favorite prospect ever… and just the fact that AF has contacted the Marlins about him has made me quite happy and renewed my confidence in Hermida’s abilities as well.
Friedman is smart. Can he hurry up and get Bossman locked up for a large number of years?
Jon Garland, pleasepleaseplease accept arbitration. Your mad iNNiNgZ eAtEr sKiLLz will be greater exemplified in next year's free agent class. kthxbai.
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