More Fuentes
by R.J. Anderson on Jul 2, 2008 12:14 PM EDT
32 comments
Via MLBTr comes this from Tracy Ringolsby:
Tampa Bay's interest in left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes picked up in light of Rays closer Troy Percival returning to the disabled list after aggravating the left hamstring that originally forced him to the disabled list.
The Rays are looking for a left-hander to work late innings and to provide late-inning protection for Percival in their bid to claim a postseason bid for the first time. Al Reyes, Tampa Bay's other experienced closer, has been out since June 9 with left elbow tendinitis.
Just yesterday this came up:
ESPN’s Peter Gammons weighs in on the market for Indians ace LHP C.C. Sabathia, writing that: “Tampa Bay has lurked, but Rays people say there’s no way they can sign him after the season, and their focus is on a right-handed bat with (Pittsburgh’s Xavier Nady) and (the Cubs’ Matt) Murton on their radar.’
So, essentially the same names we've debated on here since spring training, but it's interesting to see how this will work out in the next 29 days. Also do remember the Rays were in talks with the Rockies about Jeff Baker last trade deadline, not sure if that could factor in whatsoever.
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Fuentes – sure, if we don’t have to give up much. We definitely need another solid lefty out of the bullpen, but RPs are just a huge gamble.
CC – have to pass. Adding him to the rotation would make us the division favorite, and that’s huge (also because him being a Ray means he’s not a NYY or RedSox) but in the playoffs you barely need 4 starters. The price is likely too great.
Nady/Bay – why not? Either would be an upgrade in RF, and the Pirates farm system is so bare that we could likely get them with a larger package of prospects, but without giving our top guys.
by TallMatt on Jul 2, 2008 12:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I should hope that Balfour layed to rest any implications of deficiency in depth with regards to our bullpen.
As a part-time Cubs fan, I’d love to see more of Murton. But he doesn’t hit for power and is an average fielder at best. I think and hope that management has something else in the works.
B Rad the Ray Fan
9=8
by B Ray on Jul 2, 2008 12:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Help out the Cubs and take Murton.
I, and a bunch of other Cubs fans have seen enough of Matt Murton. Despite my hatred for him, he does have some strengths. He works counts pretty well, takes his walks and at one point of his career had mid-level power. On the down side, he has a pretty low baseball IQ which leads to plenty of fielding and base running errors. He has regressed a bit with each successive season, and the drop-off from last year to this year has been the biggest. If you guys do end up acquiring him, don’t expect too much out of him, but he is a useful bench guy.
by dakoose on Jul 2, 2008 12:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Why go get Murton when Ruggs can do the same thing?
Seems kinda redundant.
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by SeanDubbs on Jul 2, 2008 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Murton, despite being a ginger, is not as awesome as Ruggiano.
by R.J. Anderson on Jul 2, 2008 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm just glad Ruggs doesn't suffer from Gingervitis.
The creep me out.
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by SeanDubbs on Jul 2, 2008 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay, you've sold me on Fuentes.
Now tell me which lefty is killing us to warrant him?
What we need is a reliever who can also play RF, bat left-handed, and hit .300 with 30 HR.
B Rad the Ray Fan
9=8
by B Ray on Jul 2, 2008 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right handed you mean
We have plenty of lefty COF types…
by rglass44 on Jul 2, 2008 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have a gut feeling Fuentes will end up with the Rays.
Longlorious.
by RATW on Jul 2, 2008 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What do we have to give up for him?
and how much does he cost?
by LeftRight on Jul 2, 2008 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Fuentes makes $5 million this year and FA next year
The Rays need to trade for a guy who will remain under the team’s control for a year or so beyond this year. It’s hard to believe the price will be right for a 3 month rental. Also hard to believe we can (or will want to) re-sign guys like Fuentes or Sabathia.
by K-Rock on Jul 2, 2008 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We'd be able to re-sign Fuentes.
by R.J. Anderson on Jul 2, 2008 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's not too much more than Wheeler.
by R.J. Anderson on Jul 2, 2008 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wouldnt we get compensation if we cant resign him?
by td32 on Jul 2, 2008 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah - I think thats what I read
I like this move, and I think it adds the most value to our team. The RF’s I have heard mentioned (other than Bay) are not huge upgrades over what we have, and CC would demand too much. What type of prospects do you think we would have to cough up?
by LeftRight on Jul 2, 2008 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably about $2M or 40% more then Wheeler next year
but I agree that if we are going to spend money Fuentes is a good option.
by K-Rock on Jul 2, 2008 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That means we would have to give up one of our good prospects I would imagine...
I dont like the idea of trading an elite prospect for a RP. If we could bundle a package that included Niemann and Mason/Talbot, I would do it considering we would be getting 2 draft picks if we dont resign Fuentes.
Problem is, dont we have to give him a qualifying offer to get those picks? He may accept that offer…
by td32 on Jul 2, 2008 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That makes him cheap to trade for
The going rate for an expensive, FA-to-be, RP isn’t that much.
Plus, if he’s a Ray then he’s not helping the bullpen in Boston that has some setup issues as well.
by TallMatt on Jul 2, 2008 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and I think the question should be the value we get not the cost we give up...
by K-Rock on Jul 2, 2008 3:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We don't need Murton.
He doesn’t offer anything more than we already have. If we’re going to make a deal for a RF make it Bay or Nady.
Same goes for Sabathia. I like him but he’d be too expensive for a rental player. We need to think long term here.
Fuentes is worth dealing for though. We need more depth in the bullpen. If not Fuentes perhaps we look at Brett Myers.
by floridaroar on Jul 2, 2008 5:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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