Fernando Perez Out At least Three Months

by Tommy Rancel on Mar 12, 2009 10:30 AM EDT

Tests results on Fernando Perez's left arm revealed a dislocated wrist that will sideline the Rays outfielder for at least three months. Here are Joe Maddon's comments:

"It's unfortunate," Maddon said. "Obviously he's very disappointed, he’s really coming on as a young player so it's difficult. But it could have been worse, obviously, so three months we can live with that. And we’ll take it from there." -Heater

As for the opening day roster plans, Maddon also spoke on that

Maddon said Perez "probably would have played" in centerfield to open the season if CF B.J. Upton were not ready to return from offseason left shoulder surgery. "Now we've Got Gabe (Kapler) out there, going to get Ben Zobrist out there," Maddon said. "It just gives some other people opportunities out there in case something else were to happen. That’s the impact."

One would think that Justin Ruggiano would also be a candidate, but maybe this could open the door for a NRI such as Adam Kennedy.

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Ruggiano would be a candidate if he could play CF

He has more of a chance of making the team though. If Kapler’s playing CF semi-full time, then Gross still needs a platoon partner. The problem is that everyone who can play CF is right handed already, so it doesn’t help him much from a 4th OF perspective.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Mar 12, 2009 10:35 AM EDT reply actions

The Rays would need a RH batter vs lefties in RF. If you take Joe Maddon's comments to heart

then Ben Zobrist could be that guy. That would open the door for an Adam Kennedy to fill in as utility man in the for the middle IF positions.

by Tommy Rancel on Mar 12, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Ugh.

Zobrist in CF just does not appeal to me.

by rglass44 on Mar 12, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

If it's only a week, it makes little difference anyways.

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 12, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

He's honestly probably our best option out there.

Tools Whore

by Tyler on Mar 12, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Kapler's probably a true talent ~0 CFer.

Zobrist, no idea. Probably right around average too, give or take a run here or there.

Over ~10 games that’s not all too significant.

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 12, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

He's probably a better defender there than Kapler or Ruggiano

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Mar 12, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

That's highly, highly doubtful.

He might be equal to Ruggiano, but I don’t see him being better than Kapler this year.

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 12, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe I'm wrong

But I always thought the two Gabes were about equal in terms of range. While Zobrist seems to lack the initial quickness that’s ideal for middle infield or stealing bases, he seems to have a higher top speed once he gets there, thus covering more ground. He took some awful routes last year and still got to a lot of balls most fielders wouldn’t get to, and if I remember correctly, his stats said he was damn good in the OF.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Mar 12, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions

No.

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=7435&position=SS#fielding

He was an average corner outfielder in a small sample size. Average corner outfielders make for -10 < x < -5 center fielders. What you’re saying about him getting to balls others don’t is simply untrue. He was completely average.

Kinda like Aybar at second.

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 12, 2009 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions

ugh

by rglass44 on Mar 12, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

He'll probably slug .500 again.

by Tommy Rancel on Mar 12, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

To be fair

Between Ruggiano and Zobrist, If I’m putting money on who is more likely to hit at the MLB level, my money is going on the guy who has actually done so before. (Granted 1. You could make the argument that neither really have, and 2. Kapler wins on this criteria hands down)

by GomesSweetGomes on Mar 12, 2009 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions

This man is a great quote

Perez

“It’s the web gem tax,” Perez said. “Sometimes somebody’s gonna have to pay it. I had to pay it.”

Perez said he knew instantly he’d be out for a while when his glove caught on the turf while trying to make a diving catch Tuesday – a play he said he usually makes about once a month. Perez said his glove has “never, ever” caught on the turf, but he’s been recently using a longer glove. That 1/4-1/2 inch could have cost him three months.

by Tommy Rancel on Mar 12, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions