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What's up with him?

How is Wade Townsend coming along? Is he still considered a prospect? He along with Niemann seem to always be hurt. It would be nice if they could spend an injury free year to see what they can contribute.

With Aybar's problem, i'm all for giving Joel Guzman some significant at bats this season. Today rotoworld still had him as the Rays tenth best prospect, capable of 30 to 40 HR years at the major league level. It seems like he is seldom mentioned as an option anywhere..

I really hope the Rays are kidding with DeFelice as a back up catcher. I would have loved to see them add Johnny Estrada or Rod Barajas, in case Navarro can't cut it.

Finally, my "keys" to the season are Rocco Baldelli (needs to get 500 ABS), Edwin Jackson (needs to pitch as he did in the second half, and Jhonny Gomes (return to his 2005 season)

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Re: What's up with him?
This should be the first legit year for Townsend - it usually takes two years to fully recover from TJS.

Niemann only missed one or two starts last year.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 4, 2008 9:34 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Re: What's up with him?
If Guzi is gonna hit 30-40 homers he better start hitting the HGH.  Dude is gonna look like a light post over at 3rd.  I would love to see him put up a good season, but he's got some filling out to do.

by Sandy Kazmir on Feb 5, 2008 9:14 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Re: What's up with him?
He's 250 lbs!!!  He looks skinny cause he's 6'6" but he's not at all.  Also, he's got light tower power!!!  He hit a ball over the street and onto the 2nd floor of a condo construction site last year in Durham.  He struggles making contact and pitch selection, but when he does make contact, it goes a really long way.  That's the reason he won't hit 30 or 40 homeruns, he's got the raw power to do, it just hasn't translated into games yet.

The video used to be on youtube, but I can't find it anymore.  And the bulls changed their highlight reel.  It used to be about players, now it's just games that were played and I can't find it, but if you can find it, it's an amazing bomb.

by Tyler on Feb 5, 2008 10:03 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: What's up with him?
i don't care if he hit's 30hr's, if his OBP stays under .300 he doesn't need to be in the majors.

by davidsmarch on Feb 5, 2008 5:35 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Re: What's up with him?
But he's not starting all season, just 2 months.  And that leaves the org with a choice.  Evan starts all year and becomes a FA in 2013.  Or, deal with Joel for 2 months, and have Evan for the whole 2014 Season when he'll be 28 in the middle of his prime.  The choice isn't as cut and dry as you make it sound.

by Tyler on Feb 6, 2008 11:53 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: What's up with him?
Suppose after 2-3 seasons we get Longoria to a Shields type of contract that effectively buys out arbitration, with options for 2-3 FA years, would his clock matter as much at that point?

by Sandy Kazmir on Feb 6, 2008 12:33 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: What's up with him?
Suppose he goes Ryan Braun on us and kills the ball this season and he and his agent realize that while more risk is involved, you make more money by not signing long term deals before FA.  Then you have him for 1 less season.  You can't count on signing guys long term.  Especially if they succeed early.  And even if you do, you're going to have to give them fair market value (Tulo's rather than a Shields type deal), all the way through and it doesn't save you much long term, just locks in a fixed price.  

by Tyler on Feb 6, 2008 3:12 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

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