Rays Connected to Sherrill

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 25, 2008 11:28 AM EDT

Per Dan Graziano the Rays, amongst others, have interest in Orioles reliever George Sherrill.(Hat tip to MLBTR):

Talk about a turnaround. This wasn't even the top guy Baltimore got in the Erik Bedard trade, but here he is, atop the wish lists of several teams looking for left-handed relief help. Teams connected to Sherrill include the Cardinals, Rays, Marlins, Red Sox and others. The Mets would love to be in the sweepstakes, but they fear the price will be too high. The Yankees would love it too, but they don't think Baltimore will deal him within the division. It seems likely that he'll be moved, since somebody will probably come up with a blow-away offer. If that happens, that Bedard trade is the gift that keeps on giving

I bolded what I felt was the most important part. In the past the Orioles have avoided dealing to other teams in the American League East (exception: Javy Lopez to the Red Sox for Adam Stern) and the chances the Rays overpay for Sherrill is highly doubtful. Sherrill himself is an okay reliever but has flyball tendencies and gives up more than a homerun per nine, which all but explains the difference between his FIP (3.94) and his xFIP (4.46); xFIP normalizes the homerun rate and applies it to the flyball percentage. Sherrill also walking 4.9 per nine and striking out less than last year at 9.4.

Sherrill is almost certainly being miscast as a closer instead of a lefty specialist. A .518 OPS against left-handers for his career suggests he fits the role that the Seattle Mariners had him in previously very well. I suppose it's just Andy MacPhail and company hoping to build season long interest in Sherrill, otherwise it doesn't make sense to not simply use the closer by committee idea that people fear.

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no thanks to Sherrill

I’ll just point to Jeff Sackman’s treatment of the topic in relation to the Brewers’ possible interest in Sherrill:
http://www.brewcrewball.com/2008/7/24/578256/george-sherrill-no-thank-y

my blog

by Sky Kalkman on Jul 25, 2008 11:49 AM EDT reply actions

Pass

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Jul 25, 2008 11:52 AM EDT reply actions

i posted this in another thread

Sherrill’s traditionally been used as a LOOGY (only 40 IP per season) with 9 K/9 and 3 K/9. This year he’s at 40 IP already, pitching more full innings, and being exposed to more right handed hitters. Whoila, 6 K/9. He’s an extreme flyball pitcher, which results in more homeruns against righties. He’s about as productive as Percival (and that’s not a good thing) in full innings. Or he can be a LOOGY again. Either way, I doubt he’s worth anywhere near the price Baltimore is asking.

my blog

by Sky Kalkman on Jul 25, 2008 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

Funny thing

is that if you look in the BrewCrew Ball comments, they’ve had almost exactly the same conclusion.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Jul 25, 2008 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

WHY THE FUCK NOT JUST BRING UP SALAS?!?!?!

i’m sorry to curse here, but this really is just baffling the fuck out of me! the dude was lights out during his last stint in the majors, and unfortunately had the ole “banned substance” issue, then the Visa issue. but, since coming back he has been unbelievably good in AAA, just dominating the hell out of that league. what am i missing here?!?

by davidsmarch on Jul 25, 2008 2:08 PM EDT reply actions

Perhaps it's the same reason why the RO won't sign Bonds?

Anybody make that connection yet?

by kericr on Jul 25, 2008 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I doubt that...Bonds is the only one being held to this standard, and it's only cause he was better then everyone else

by td32 on Jul 25, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

That's not true

I distinctly remember there is another player who had an above average year last year but came out in the mitchell report. He sent a letter to every GM in the league practically begging for a job, and has since signed with a semi-pro team.

I don’t remember this guy’s name off the top of my head. Anybody know who I’m talking about?

by kericr on Jul 25, 2008 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I was all kinds of inaccurate

Jay Gibbons is who I was talking about. He had a crappy 07, but was good in 06 and 05. He sent a letter earlier this year during spring training to all 30 MLB teams apologizing for what he did and just begging for a chance to compete for a roster spot. The Brewers signed him.

They signed him last Tuesday.

by kericr on Jul 25, 2008 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions