Rays Family Tree: The Dead Trade String of 2002

by FreeZorilla on Nov 12, 2009 7:00 AM EST

2000 Trade: Tony Graffanino for Tanyon Sturtze (Granted Free Agency 2002)

Pre-Trade:

Tony Graffanino was signed as a free agent by the Rays prior to the 1999 season. Originally a 10th round pick of the Braves in 1990, the 28-year-old utility man started 17 games a piece at both second base and shortstop for the Rays in 1999 where he posted a line of .313/.364/.473 in 164 plate appearances.

Tanyon Sturtze was initially chosen in the 23rd round of the 1990 draft by Oakland. The White Sox signed the right-handed pitcher following the 1998 season where he spent all but one game in AAA. Pitching for Charlotte, Sturtze went 9-4 with a 4.05 ERA while striking out 107 and walking 41 in 104.1 innings.

Post-Trade:

Tanyon Sturtze was in the rotation for a little over two years for the Rays, making 65 starts with an ERA of 4.58, a FIP that floated in the 4.70-4.90 range, and a K.9 in the 5-5.5 range. He had a disastrous 2002 season where he earned the nickname "Ten Run Sturtze" when he led the majors in losses (18), hits allowed, earned runs allowed, and walks allowed. Sturtze was granted free agency following the 2002 season. Somehow, he's still floating around, having spent most of the past few years in the minor,s most recently with the Dodgers. In 2008, after being designated for assignment, he pleaded to stay with the big league club and was rewarded with a stint as a bullpen catcher through the playoffs. He was released in May of 2009 with a career FIP of 5.03.

Tony Graffanino continued his utlityman ways with the White Sox until he was granted free agency after the 2003 season. During his time in Chicago he posted a line of .271/.344/.411. Graffanino has played for seven teams including Cleveland in 2009 where he somehow OPSed .341 in 24 plate appearances, and would spend most of the year in AAA. Most notably he was traded by Kansas City to Milwaukee for Jorge De La Rosa at the 2006 all-star break. Sadly for the Royals, they moved De La Rosa to the Rockies as part of a conditional deal just prior to his breakout last season.

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Comments

98 days till pitchers and catchers

by sternfan1 on Nov 12, 2009 7:43 AM EST reply actions

I know you weren't a fan during the lean years so I can appreciate the fact a bandwagoner would not care about history

Are you still celebrating the Yanks championship?

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Nov 12, 2009 9:22 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

zing.

rec’d

I'm not really a NUMBERS guy!!

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 12, 2009 9:40 AM EST up reply actions

Not a fan? Not as avid as now but i never rooted

against the Rays and am aware of all those players you mention. As for the Yankees comment, i’m a fan of the AL first with one exception, the Red Sox

by sternfan1 on Nov 12, 2009 10:08 AM EST up reply actions

What's it like being a super-fan of 13 teams?

The All-Star game must really put you in your glory. All of your favorite players vindicating your adoration, and even better, proving how smart you were to tout them. I can’t wait until I’m a bitter, old man so that I can make the rules as I go.

I'm not really a NUMBERS guy!!

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 12, 2009 10:26 AM EST up reply actions

Still sore about being called a jackass?

Don’t wworry, i’ll remind you time and time again so you won’t forget it

Aren’t there 14 teams in the AL?

When you get your nose out of FreeZos ass maybe you’ll find time to respond

by sternfan1 on Nov 12, 2009 10:30 AM EST up reply actions

Time is on my side, friend

You said ever team, but the Red Sox. 14-1=13. Correct me if I did this advanced calculation wrong. As for being called a jackass, you’ll have to refresh my memory. I’ve been called worse, by better, so it doesn’t really bother me much.

I'm not really a NUMBERS guy!!

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 12, 2009 10:34 AM EST up reply actions

Sore would be the lame trolling you've been doing since the Cliff Lee Poo Sandwich of 12 Rec fame

Ever since then your DRB contributions have consisted of calling the DTS posts boring (feel free to stop reading them) and insinuating that somehow I said Cody Cipriano would have a Hall of Fame career, over and over and over again,

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Nov 12, 2009 10:35 AM EST up reply actions