More Fuentes

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 2, 2008 12:14 PM EDT

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 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 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 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 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 1 recs

I'm just glad Ruggs doesn't suffer from Gingervitis.

The creep me out.

www.citadel-insurance.com

by SeanDubbs on Jul 2, 2008 1:36 PM EDT up 0 recs

He just likes the fur man.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 2, 2008 1:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

Murton's splits against Lefties have been excellent in his 2 seasons with enough AB's

by td32 on Jul 2, 2008 2:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

How hot is Murton's sister?

Mound Visit

by Mound Visit on Jul 2, 2008 3:06 PM EDT up 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 0 recs

Right handed you mean

We have plenty of lefty COF types…

by rglass44 on Jul 2, 2008 1:39 PM EDT up 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 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 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 0 recs

We'd be able to re-sign Fuentes.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 2, 2008 2:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

as a $5M dollar set up guy?

by K-Rock on Jul 2, 2008 2:57 PM EDT up 0 recs

That's not too much more than Wheeler.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 2, 2008 3:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

Wouldnt we get compensation if we cant resign him?

by td32 on Jul 2, 2008 3:06 PM EDT up 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 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 0 recs

He's a type A

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 2, 2008 3:27 PM EDT up 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 0 recs