Minor Musings and Tidbits

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 20, 2008 1:19 PM EDT

- Durham's Reid Brignac played second base last night as Ben Zobrist returned to the Durham lineup. I'm not sure what that means exactly, but really there are three choices. 1) He's raising trade value, 2) He's cross training for his future position, 3) Nothing at all.

- Thomas Raftery and Matt Gorgen both made their pro debuts last not, Raftery went three, striking out five, and walking one. Gorgen struck out the side in his lone inning of work. Meanwhile Michael Sheridan and Jason Corder devoured on the pitching -- Sheridan scoring four runs and Corder driving in three.

- Princeton started import Albert Suarez who pitched five and two-thirds, struck out five, and allowed five hits in his first American action.

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And I was bashed about the possibility of moving Reid to 2nd

Although I think the move is to have Reid play short, Aki play 2nd for the time being. Once we determien what Beckham can and cannot do then we make another move.

by matthan on Jun 20, 2008 1:44 PM EDT reply actions

No, you were bashed for suggesting we needed to decide right away what to do with Brignac.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 20, 2008 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

exactly

by davidsmarch on Jun 20, 2008 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

That isn't exactly what I said

But thats okay. Seems to be a trend of yours to read what you want to read instead of what is actually there. For someone that thinks he is smarter than most GMs you sure do not think ahead much.

You see we have two guys in our middle infield right now. Akinori Iwamura and Jason Bartlett. Which one(s) are we going to keep long term? Both? One? Neither?That is something the front office has to decide. That decision which has to take into account Reid Brignac skills and youth and will determine which position he plays in the major leagues.

This isn’t really rocket science. It is really stupid for an organization to force a kid to change positions his first year in the majors or forcing the kid to stay in the minors (once he is ready) to learn a new position. That just shows major lack of foresight.

Thankfully it looks like the Rays are correctly planning ahead. They understand the possibilities and the scenarios, and they are preparing for them.

I don’t mean to act like a smartass, but this is really common sense…

by matthan on Jun 20, 2008 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Also it isn't like Brignac is in rookie ball or high A. He is getting close to the majors. The last thing you want is Reid to have a ML ready bat a MJ ready SS glove, but have SS blocked with 2B open. That is just poor planning.

by matthan on Jun 20, 2008 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

umm, planning ahead?

this was a one game move to get Zobrist some time at SS, after just coming off the DL. this is in NO WAY Brignac changing positions. to answer your question, Bartlett is not in the long term plans, even if he has been good this year. problem solved.

by davidsmarch on Jun 20, 2008 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Who said he had to change positions right now?

So if the plan is to keep Reid at SS and get rid of Bartlett then the Rays organization did their job. It seems like you do not want them to think ahead. If they’ve made up their mind then they’ve done EXACTLY the thing you are busting my butt over. I’ve been saying they should have a plan and execute it. You are saying they shouldn’t have a plan and wait til the last minute.

I was merely pointing out the scenarios. I’m not the GM so I have no idea what they’ve planned or what goes in their meetings. If they want to keep Aki and get rid of Bartlett then Brignac stays at short for now. If they don’t know for sure yet then you are going to see Brignac at both spots for now. If they are going to keep Bartlett and not Aki then you’ll see Brignac play a lot more 2b in the coming months.

That is what is going to happen. Now you said you already know what the Rays plans are. I don’t try to be Nostradamus, but if you are right then Reid will stay at short. I have no problem with that as it shows the Rays are planning and thinking ahead.

You make it seem like I want Reid to switch positions. Let me clear this up, I do not care if Reid changes positions. What I care the most about is the health of the team and the development of Brignac, especially because he is so close. If the Rays think his future with the organization is at 2b then I want him moved. If they think it is at SS then he needs to stay. If they think he is going to be the water boy then I want him practicing that (sarcasm).

by matthan on Jun 20, 2008 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

you did...

by davidsmarch on Jun 20, 2008 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

also,

please seperate this Reid v Bartlett conversation from the Reid v Beckham one, it would help this a lot less nonsensical.

by davidsmarch on Jun 20, 2008 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Seems to be a trend of yours to read what you want to read instead of what is actually there.

Yes, forgive me for not remembering exactly what someone said two weeks ago in a 1,000 comment thread.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 20, 2008 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

No problem RJ

When someone misquotes or misinterprets what I say I should probably try to be more civil than the reaction that I’ve been giving.

by matthan on Jun 20, 2008 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

No, no, snark is fine.

I live off snark it seems .

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 20, 2008 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Is 2B really that different from SS?

I can’t imagine that it would take that long for Brignac to learn 2B if necessary, considering he’s at least an adequate SS. Doesn’t it therefore make more sense for the organization to leave him at the position at which he has the most value (SS), until he either goes BJ Upton on them or an immediate need is determined at the major league level?

by Peter Bendix on Jun 20, 2008 3:01 PM EDT reply actions