Bartlett to Return Soon

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 22, 2008 9:20 AM EDT

ST. PETERSBURG - He doesn't expect to be quite back to full speed, but SS Jason Bartlett believes he will be ready to come off the disabled list when the Rays open a seven-game road trip Thursday at Kansas City.

Bartlett hasn't played since early July, and it's interesting to see the zone play data as Zobrist approaches 150 innings. Zobrist has only made two out of zone plays while Bartlett has 29 in 500+ more innings. Of the others to play shortstop for the Rays this season; Elliot Johnson, Andy Cannizaro, Evan Longoria, and Reid Brignac, none made an out of zone play. Clearly Bartlett's range will be welcomed back with open arms by the Rays pitching staff.

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Longoria played one game at SS and only made one play

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7914/career;_ylt=AvpLVTxS5QtY88xSxsx2zceFCLcF

9 = 8

by websterjtc on Jul 22, 2008 9:39 AM EDT reply actions

But if Barty comes back what am I gonna do with my buddy Christ pic for Zobrist?

by GenghisJohn on Jul 22, 2008 10:09 AM EDT reply actions

thank god,

Zobrist is a waste of a ML roster spot. his bat is atrocious, given he runs into the occasional lucky solo-hr. his glove is adequate, but not spectacular enough, welcome back bartlett.

by davidsmarch on Jul 22, 2008 10:27 AM EDT reply actions

Amen

Even with the additional power (praise Jesus!), BenZo makes Brendan Harris look like a Gold Glover.

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by JMB on Jul 22, 2008 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

remember when some people thought that trading away Harris was a bad thing? yeesh

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by Sky Kalkman on Jul 22, 2008 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions

that's the key point people need to realize

there’s nothing wrong with his current OPS. but there might be something wrong with BJ (physically or approach-wise) that’s limiting him from playing even better. as is, he’s extremely valuable, one of the top 30 players in the game. but he could be even better.

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by Sky Kalkman on Jul 22, 2008 6:59 PM EDT reply actions

man im glad that barty is back

zobrist may have some pop in his bat but he cant hit and his glove is just crap and barty brings some more speed to this team and some glove, also he was starting to hit better before he got hurt and im glad that the rays outsmarted the twins into trading him since brendan harris has been playing like crap this year, i went to the twins game on sunday and he couldnt even put down a hit and run and got brian buscher hung out to dry, he might be slower than navvy if thats possible lol

by RaysOfHope on Jul 23, 2008 12:28 AM EDT reply actions

I think we should be clear

that Zobrist does not have much power. In the minors he demonstrated outstanding plate discipline, which I think is why the Rays were interested in him, but even that has not translated to the majors. He has hit a decent % of doubles for a middle infielder in the minors, but nothing more, and it is possible that his diminished walk ratio in the majors is due to the fact that he presents so little threat he can be overpowered here.

I think he can be a decent reserve in the majors but little more. His recent splurge of home runs should not fool anyone into thinking he is anything else. Almost any major leaguer or AAA player is liable to have a brief episode like that.

On the other hand, I would like to have him available for insurance against a Bartlett injury. The roster is not that flexible however unless (until) the Rays make a trade.

by bobr on Jul 23, 2008 4:23 PM EDT reply actions