Rays Want Relievers

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 10, 2008 12:22 PM EDT Comment 26 comments

MLB.com:

• The Rays, also-rans in the CC Sabathia chase, have scouts looking at relievers, with Ron Mahay and Brian Fuentes among the pitchers they are considering.

First thought: this doesn't speak too well for Trever Miller. Second thought: this actually doesn't speak too well for Gary Glover. Final thought: methinks Jason Hammel isn't going to like his new destination.

08 OPSa	v. LHB	v. RHB
Mahay	0.539	0.656
Fuentes	0.459	0.687
Miller	0.580	0.755

As for the actual pitchers, both present upgrades this season over Miller when facing either righties or abnormal people. If a lefty is added the Rays would not only have three southpaws in the pen for appearances sake, but three really solid relievers. The last time they could say that was in 2004 with Miller, Bobby Seay, and John Halama.

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Fuentes plz.

by P Brady on Jul 10, 2008 1:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not if they're asking for Hellickson and Davis

I doubt O’dowd is that unrealistic, but given the Price-Holliday rumor, who knows?

by GomesSweetGomes on Jul 10, 2008 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You have to expect O'Dowd to ask

for Price in return for his prized player. You also have to expect us to say no.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Jul 10, 2008 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stupid Diamondbacks

This trade market would be a lot better if the other 4 GM’s didnt think they could get into the playoffs by sucking.

by GomesSweetGomes on Jul 10, 2008 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read over on a A's blog

that the A’s are looking to trade Huston Street, and it mentioned the Padres and Rays as potential targets. I don’t know why in gods green earth the Parders would need a piece like that, but Street could provide us with some stability since Percy can’t seem to stay healthy (and isn’t even the best of our relievers). Plus, if the Harden trade proves anything, it shows that Beane doesn’t necessarily have to get top prospects, which means we could probably get by giving up Niemann or someone similar.

Just a thought

by hibachi7_7_7 on Jul 10, 2008 2:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Richie Sexon was released today.....

what does everyone think about him as DH?

Mound Visit

by Mound Visit on Jul 10, 2008 2:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Do you really think Gomes could do that much worse with 500 AB's?

by GomesSweetGomes on Jul 10, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

His bat is gone man.

But he’d be a (literal) step up from everyone else on the roster. Guy is like 6’7”.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 10, 2008 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He does have more reach

So he could probably have more success working his jab in the early rounds against the Yanks/Sox.

by GomesSweetGomes on Jul 10, 2008 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

or he could just throw helmets...

by rglass44 on Jul 10, 2008 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

RJ....

This guy hit 45 HR in two different seasons.

I don’t want this guys contract, what are the rules with re-negotiating that thing and bringing it down to 2 MIL or something like that?

Travis Hafner isn’t doing all that well either…but I want him as a DH on this team

Mound Visit

by Mound Visit on Jul 10, 2008 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's released

Mariners pay everything but league minimum. The problem is that those two seasons were both at least 5 years ago…By that logic we may as well be in the market for Sosa.

by GomesSweetGomes on Jul 10, 2008 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Hafner

had a really good year just last year…just not by his standards….He’s a much better risk.

by GomesSweetGomes on Jul 10, 2008 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For Future Reference

Waived player = Some other team has to take on his contract if they want him…No renegotiations as all MLB contracts are guaranteed.

Released player = Team that signed him to the ridiculous contract has to eat it, but they are only on the hook for the difference between what they signed him for and what the next team signs him for. In reality this means that no future team will sign him for above league minimum, as the M’s are already footing the bill anyway, and the player could care less who signs the checks as long as they get signed.

by GomesSweetGomes on Jul 10, 2008 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sexson's bat is as slow, if not slower, than Varitek's this year.

I’d take Tomas Perez back on this team before letting Sexson on it.

by Jason Collette on Jul 10, 2008 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Big Sexy....

is still sexy vs Lefties.

(Avg/OBP/Slg/OPS)
vs Left: .344 .423 .623 1.045
vs Right: .178 .281 .304 .584

Gross:
vs Left: .154 .185 .346 .531
vs Right: .243 .357 .421 .778

by chancedj on Jul 10, 2008 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too Bad we can't platoon him with Gross

He’s have to take away AB’s from Hinske, Floyd, or Pena.

by GomesSweetGomes on Jul 10, 2008 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uh...there is a reason why he was released

by Rays Rule on Jul 10, 2008 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Street would probably cost an arm and a leg...

His ERA is up, but his WHIP is nearly identical to his career average. He seems to be giving up more HR’s this year, but it is a small sample size, so maybe he just went through a rough patch.

I cant find his contract status, but I think he would be under control though the 2009 season as well. I would love to see him in a Rays uni.

by td32 on Jul 10, 2008 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Street has 3 years service time and 2008 was his 1st arb eligible yr...

I am not good with this, but it appears he would be under the Rays control through 2010

by td32 on Jul 10, 2008 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like his name coming up

Friedman: “Hold on a sec Danny, I’ve got Billy on the other line. Wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t find out what HE thinks Hellickson is worth”

by GomesSweetGomes on Jul 10, 2008 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just doing some quick research on Street...

He has absolutely dominated righties over his career. Lefties have about a .700 OPS against him, and he has struggled against lefties this season. He has killed the Sox and Yankees over his career as well. In 22 innings combined, he has given up only 5 hits…that is ridiculous. I would love to see him added to the bullpen if it didnt cost too much. We have enough lefty pitchers IMO at this point.

by td32 on Jul 10, 2008 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs