Oh Crikey! Balfour to be Designated for Assignment

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 28, 2008 1:09 PM EDT

The Rays appear to have decided on their final bullpen slot as Grant Balfour was told before Friday's game he will be designated for assignment, which seems to mean Scott Dohmann made the team. Balfour said he hoped to be picked up on waivers by another team, but would be open to going to Triple-A Durham if he isn't claimed.

Well, if nothing else players out of options are being undervalued by teams this off-season which suggests Balfour could remain here. If not, the sunk cost is essentially Seth McClung, not a huge performance loss.

As for the vacant 40 man spot we'd have an extra even after Rocco is (presumably) placed on the 60 day disabled list. Assuming one spot goes to Eric Hinske the Rays could possibly be looking at adding someone via trade soon.

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Re: Balfour DFA

Wow, I like Balfour but won't complain as the gap between the two didn't seem significant and given Balfour's injury history, maybe durability was part of the equation?

by RATW on Mar 28, 2008 1:26 PM EDT reply actions

I don't agree but...

I don't like this at all, I tihnk Balfour has been a lot better than Dohmann, and can get you a strikeout when you gotta have it... Dohmann was solid last season though, so I guess we shall see... Hopefully Grant will slip through waivers, but I don't see it

by nittsallgood on Mar 28, 2008 2:02 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Oh Crikey! Balfour to be Designated for Assign

I don't understand this. Balfour had one bad outing yesterday out of his 10 total appearances. Dohmann seemingly was getting hit like crazy off the AA guys.

www.lbacentral.com

by SeanDubbs on Mar 28, 2008 2:11 PM EDT reply actions

Speak of the devil..

Maddon just commented on that final bullpen spot and made it sound like he based a lot of the decision off yesterdays game.

www.lbacentral.com

by SeanDubbs on Mar 28, 2008 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Speak of the devil..

I heard that as well. I can't believe a decision would be based on such a narrow sample size, more had to go into it.

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 28, 2008 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Speak of the devil..

Maybe it's because Balfour sounded like a little insecure girl with his comments.

"It's tough to go out there and pitch every time knowing that you're either on the team or off the team," Balfour said. "It's tough, having that pressure on you, I must admit."

At least say, "I've had the better spring, I deserve to be on this team." Maybe they were looking for a mix of confidence and arrogance.

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/article434322.ece

www.lbacentral.com

by SeanDubbs on Mar 28, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Speak of the devil..

We should just bring in Percival's old friends: Brendan Donnelly and Ben Weber.

Come on, I'm not the only one who loves the three pump windup, right?

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 28, 2008 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Speak of the devil..

Or "fear and ignorance"?

Maybe the Rays like to see 'em get worked up, too.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Mar 28, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions

man...

Viva Los RAYniacs!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Mar 28, 2008 2:17 PM EDT reply actions

this is nothing new

this orginzation does some head scratchers at the end of every ST in regards to bullpen, last year I remember being miffed that Orvella was left out ang Glover added- the year before Jason Childers made it for whatever reason... it's always something

by nittsallgood on Mar 28, 2008 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

Doesn't that apply to every team?

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 28, 2008 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

We wont' know....

...if this was a good move or not until May/June, so we'll have to wait and see.

www.lbacentral.com

by SeanDubbs on Mar 28, 2008 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: We wont' know....

Can we really call Glover over Orvella a bad move?

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 28, 2008 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: We wont' know....

I def agree, I just like Balfour more... that's all, but hey there was a point last season when Glover was the 2nd best pitcher the bullpen had... shows how much I don't know...

by nittsallgood on Mar 28, 2008 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: We wont' know....

Orvella hasn't been the same since the changed his mechanics to keep base runners from stealing on him.

www.lbacentral.com

by SeanDubbs on Mar 28, 2008 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: We wont' know....

They don't have to steal on him anymore, everybody gets on.

My guess is Ball Four lost for that very reason - 9 BB in 12 IP.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Mar 28, 2008 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Doesn't that apply to every team?

I guess... Balfour should have just shut the door by being dominant, but too many walks, insecurity had to do sometihng with it...

I think it's moot anyway as the winner of this little battle will end up losing thier job when Kazmir is back in the rotation and Hammel will then bump Dohmann out IMO...

by nittsallgood on Mar 28, 2008 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions