Question about Niemann! Plz Help

by Schnoah on Mar 20, 2009 11:51 AM EDT

hey guys, i want to start by saying i am a Pirates fan, and we talked on here quite a bit around the trade deadline last season...

The question i have for you guys today is... How is Niemann doing? Is he going to make the team? Or is he going to have to go to waivers? Or is he available for some kind of bullpen arm?

Thanks for any and all info guys! And good luck on the season!

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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Niemann is making the team

Either as the 5th starter or a late inning reliever. He’s been the Rays best pitcher all spring. It would take a lot more than a bullpen arm(which we already have too many of) to get Niemann. You’re more likely to see Hammel moved.

by Tommy Rancel on Mar 20, 2009 11:53 AM EDT reply actions

Hammel is a ML pitcher

I want to add that in there. I think his value would be heightened on an NL team with good defensive outfielders.

Do what you love to do and give it your very best. Whether it's business or baseball, or the theater, or any field. If you don't love what you're doing and you can't give it your best, get out of it. Life is too short. You'll be an old man before you know it.

-Al Lopez

by Sandy Kazmir on Mar 20, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Same. He would be a nice fit in a bigger ballpark like San Diego.

by Tommy Rancel on Mar 20, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

Playing for Pittsburgh against the NL Central and without the DH (or the Yankees and Red Sox) would help Hammel out a lot. Id say he would be a better than league average #5 in the NL

by Rays4242 on Mar 20, 2009 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions

options

Is he out of options as well? or Niemann the only one?

by Schnoah on Mar 20, 2009 12:02 PM EDT reply actions

Hammel is also out of options, but he won't be put on waivers.

He’ll make the team as the fifth starter or in the bullpen, but if you asked me which one was more likely to be moved, I’d say Hammel because of how much the Rays seem to like Niemann’s chances as a reliever down the road if not right now.

by Tommy Rancel on Mar 20, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Niemann not available for a bullpen arm

As mentioned, the bullpen is already overcrowded, and at least one major league caliber pitcher is still going to need to get cut or traded or sent to the minors (probably Isringhausen). I can still see a scenario where he gets traded for prospects if someone makes a fair value trade offer, but the team seems to value him more highly than the prospect rankers do. Not sure if Pittsburgh is a good fit on our side, as they would be dumb to give up McCutcheon or Tabata for Niemann, but there isn’t really anyone else in the organization the Rays would want (maybe Pearce).

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Mar 20, 2009 12:44 PM EDT reply actions

I think thats why the Rays wont trade Niemann

because they value him more than the prospect rankers do. I think they are right to feel that way. I dont think they would get fair value right now for Niemann. In a few months Niemann may be able to fetch one of those names

Niemann could be a bullpen arm on the Rays though, simply because he is out of options and is blocked in our rotation.

by Rays4242 on Mar 20, 2009 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions