Ray`s 2011 First baseman

by Barnese and Bailey Circus on Dec 24, 2009 3:23 PM EST

Who will be the Ray`s first baseman to begin the 2011 season? The odds of bringing the incumbent back seem to be pretty small given the fact that Carlos is represented by Scott Boras. The cupboard is pretty bare unless Ryan Shealy puts it together in short order. The likelihood of this happening I would handicap at less than the probability of resigning Pena. Other internal options like Willie Aybar or a position change from someone currently on the 40 man roster seem unlikely given the Ray`s penchant for solid defensive contributors.

The 2011 free agent market includes Lance Berkman, Albert Pujols ( no shot), Derek Lee, Adam Dunn, Lyle Overbay and Jorge Cantu. No one on this list seems plausible to me.

Trade options include:
1. Adrian Gonzalez - Nice contract but would decimate the farm system
2. Billy Butler           - Intriguing possibility if someone doesn`t beat us to him
3 Prince Fielder        - Serious concerns about weight limiting his mobility in regards to defense.
4. Joey Votto           - doubtful Red`s would consider moving the face of the franchise but you never know.

My guess is Carlos comes back on a contract extension. "When you have eliminated the impossible,whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." Sherlock Holmes in the sign of the four.

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Comments

I'd say the main reason we won't end up with Prince is due to Boras not his weight.

I’d also say Bruce is the face of the Reds franchise not Votto.

Personally, I’d make a strong play for Votto or Alonso. AF> Jocketty.

I'm a Brett Favre honk so FUCK YOU!

by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Dec 24, 2009 4:08 PM EST reply actions

Would you be willing to give Yonder the job ...

without MLB experience or are you thinking more longterm? Votto`s proven therefore I would lean more towards him in 2011.

How can you have any pudding if you havn`t eaten your meat? I`m still waiting...

by Barnese and Bailey Circus on Dec 24, 2009 4:41 PM EST reply actions

How about that 1st baseman in the Orioles system,

Brandon Snyder. I think they would probably give him to us for not a lot of pieces we would miss if we tried.

by TBRaysfan009 on Dec 24, 2009 8:59 PM EST reply actions

Oh ya, and that Sherlock Holmes quote

Didn’t Spock say the same thing in the new Star Trek movie? (I know I’ve heard that somewhere else)

by TBRaysfan009 on Dec 24, 2009 9:01 PM EST up reply actions

Snyder will replace Atkins

The Orioles are putting together one hell of a team. I think Snyder is part of their plans going forward. Micheal Aubrey could be had on the cheap though.

How can you have any pudding if you havn`t eaten your meat? I`m still waiting...

by Barnese and Bailey Circus on Dec 24, 2009 9:17 PM EST up reply actions

I thought

Atkins was going to take over 3rd until Bell was ready, considering that is the position he has been playing.

by TBRaysfan009 on Dec 24, 2009 9:21 PM EST reply actions

You may be right, then insert Wiggy insted of Atkins.

How can you have any pudding if you havn`t eaten your meat? I`m still waiting...

by Barnese and Bailey Circus on Dec 24, 2009 9:26 PM EST up reply actions

Well,

from what I’ve read, the O’s are still looking for a first baseman, which makes me assume that Atkins is going to fill in until Bell is ready, and somebody else will fill in at 1st for Snyder.

by TBRaysfan009 on Dec 24, 2009 9:29 PM EST up reply actions

Isn`t Wiggington already in place?

Their outfield is AWESOME, leaving Scott to DH. They are set at 2B and C as well leaving only corner infielders and SS (Itzturis?) to develop. I`m just saying that I doubt that they let Snyder go quickly when their lineup is relatively close to being competitive. I am no Orioles expert but I do like the way their team is coming together.

How can you have any pudding if you havn`t eaten your meat? I`m still waiting...

by Barnese and Bailey Circus on Dec 24, 2009 9:44 PM EST up reply actions

If we give them

Tim Beckham (with a few other pieces), they probably would give us Snyder since they haves Rhyne Hughes in their system as well for 1st base, thanks to us, and I don’t think they have another SS except maybe Pedro Floriman (I think that’s his name).

by TBRaysfan009 on Dec 24, 2009 9:49 PM EST reply actions

I imagine they would.

Beckham would be too much IMO. A pitching prospect along the lines of Alexander Colome maybe but Beckham I think is too much.

How can you have any pudding if you havn`t eaten your meat? I`m still waiting...

by Barnese and Bailey Circus on Dec 24, 2009 9:56 PM EST up reply actions

I'd take

Beckham and Colome for Snyder and Matt Angle ( a speedy outfield prospect) as well as maybe Troy Patton or another pitching prospect.

by TBRaysfan009 on Dec 24, 2009 9:58 PM EST reply actions

why do you want to give up Beckham so much???

the question master

by thedudeofdudes on Dec 24, 2009 10:26 PM EST up reply actions

Well,

I’ve read in places that he is not all he is choked up to be. Can’t be sure though, be that is what I’ve heard. Correct me if I’m wrong. If he is as good as he sounds, I wouldn’t want to give him up as much.

by TBRaysfan009 on Dec 24, 2009 10:31 PM EST reply actions

Zobrist could move to 1B if Rodriquez can hit MLB pitching in 2010

Don’t get down on Ben for what you saw from him at 1B in 2010 in just a couple of starts. Signing Pena to a extension seems remote at best. Carlos has to do what’s best for himself and I’m sure he’ll get a multi year offer while he can next offseason. Trading good prospects like Beckham for the 1B position is not wise. I see Garza and Bartlett possibly being moved next offseason in an effort to get quality prospects at both the 1B and C positions.

by rickrays on Dec 26, 2009 7:56 AM EST reply actions

While you would have a hard time finding a bigger Zobrist fan than me,

I believe moving him to first would be a waste of his defensive ability. His bat is big enough for a corner infielder but Ben`s arm and range would play better elsewhere IMO. As for trading Beckham, I understand that you have to trade value to get value but I am not big on trading prospects before they can be properly evaluated. Beckham was very young for full season ball so I don`t think you can evaluate him strictly on statistical results. His athleticism and work ethic are said to be solid so I would give him two years of development ( through AA) to see where his future lies.

How can you have any pudding if you haven`t eaten your meat? I`m still waiting...

by Barnese and Bailey Circus on Dec 26, 2009 9:36 AM EST up reply actions

Zo islkely a better 2B than SRod

Even in that scenario, SRod would play 1B

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Dec 26, 2009 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

I literally, just finished reading The Beryl Coronet an hour ago

Holmes used the same phrase in that story. Not sure if Sir Arthur re-used it in another story, as I haven’t read the one you sourced, but perhaps you made a mistake. As for 1B, it’s so far away that nobody can say with any degree of reliability what will happen. I think it’s more likely that we get a guy like Scott Rolen for peanuts and stick him over on first that we spend 18M on Prince (I wish we could, he good), or give up anything of value for the rest of this rogue’s gallery. Hopefully, Matt Sweeney or one of the bats we just drafted will be knocking on the door to at least give us some options without having to make a drastic move.

I'm a writer.

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Dec 26, 2009 7:48 PM EST reply actions

quotes

First of all, it`s nice to find another Sir Arthur fan. He has used that quote as an “old Maxim” multiple times. I attributed this quote to his second novel as opposed to the short story series in which he used it in The Beryl Coronet and The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier among others. As for recent draft picks Jeff Malm could be something but he is so far away from being MLB ready that I had not mentioned him before. Sweeney`s development time would be about right but was being used as a DH last I knew. In house solutions all have huge questions attached IMO.

How can you have any pudding if you haven`t eaten your meat? I`m still waiting...

by Barnese and Bailey Circus on Dec 27, 2009 10:25 AM EST up reply actions

Some people eluded to it

but with great trade chips in Crawford, Pena, Bartlett, Brignac, etc and very limited holes to fill, the Rays and Friedman can be very specific in what they would be looking for in return. Im sure in the event one of the afore mentioned players is traded, if they dont walk as free agents, Friedman will able to target certain players that fill holes, aka a first baseman or catcher. First baseman are exactly hard to find and in great demand, so getting someone who can fill Pena’s shoes in 2011 shouldnt be insanely difficult. Ideally it would be great to get one of Votto or Alonzo should that opportunity arise.

by BossmanJunior333 on Dec 27, 2009 4:15 AM EST reply actions