Adam Kennedy Sent To Durham

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 1, 2009 10:21 AM EDT

Well the first chip has fallen. The Rays have reportedly assigned veteran infielder Adam Kennedy to Triple-A Durham. Kennedy has expressed in the past that he was willing to accept a minor league assignment so there should be no problems there. Kennedy will provide the Rays with major ready insurance should an injury to a middle infielder occur at the big league level.

“It would have been more of a surprise for it to be anything other than Durham,” he said. “I can’t argue with the at-bats that Joe [Maddon] gave me and the time on the field. It was a real productive spring, everything I could hope for given the circumstances.”--Rays Report

A few weeks ago it seemed as Kennedy had a real shot of making the roster with Ben Zobrist taking over the temporary centerfield job. However, the emergence of Matt Joyce in centerfield changed that. With Kennedy out of the running, it seems that Joyce is in line for the final roster spot. However, the Rays have maintained Justin Ruggiano, who was sent to Durham last week, is a possibility.

Marc Lancaster also reports Jon Weber, Ray Sadler, Ray Olmedo, Michel Hernandez and Chris Richard expect to be sent to Durham.

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Comments

Hellooo, Matt Joyce

"I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by this generation." - Satchel Paige

by Steve Slowinski on Apr 1, 2009 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

Yay!

I hope to see him starting in CF on Monday

by Sveet on Apr 1, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree

The BJ injury could be just the break Joyce needed

by Raymondo on Apr 1, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes and no

He has a chance to rake and make Maddon/Friedman want to keep him up BUT where?

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Apr 1, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

If Joyce rakes

Gross is expendible, and he’s upped his value enough that I’m sure the team could find a taker.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Apr 1, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

What would be a reasonable return for Gross

Going nowhere pitcher in AA?

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 Apr 1, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Better yet

Wheeler and Gross for a going nowhere pitcher in AAA

-Al Lopez

by Sandy Kazmir on Apr 1, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

C / C+ prospect should be sufficient

We’d probably get more than Josh Butler in return, but in reality it would be a salary dump more than anything.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Apr 1, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

What do you do with Joyce once Beej comes back?

-Al Lopez

by Sandy Kazmir on Apr 1, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

He still has options, right?

That was the original plan, so why not send him back down for a bit?

"I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by this generation." - Satchel Paige

by Steve Slowinski on Apr 1, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

I think he still has all three options left

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Apr 1, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not worried about that I just want a chance to showcase Gross and get somebody for him that has the potential to someday

at least get to AAA instead of bombing out in Charlotte.

-Al Lopez

by Sandy Kazmir on Apr 1, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Joe loves versatility

by Raymondo on Apr 1, 2009 10:33 AM EDT reply actions

Considering how he juggles the lineup, I think it's important that we have it

Otherwise we’ll be seeing way, way, way too much of Ben Zobrist.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Apr 1, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

I like this move ...

… and I think that Joyce should get that chance … and if he is not ready … Hello Ruggi!

by BurGi on Apr 1, 2009 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

so what does Durhams starting lineup look like? The middle infield is looking pretty crowded…

by Eyeliveforthis! on Apr 1, 2009 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

Brignac and Kennedy/Johnson.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 1, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Considering Johnson's season last year

I don’t think sending him back to AA to start the year so he can play every day would be the worst thing in the world.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Apr 1, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

What about Kennedy at 3B and Nowak at 1B?

Or am I forgetting someone useful at 1B?

C John Jaso
1B Chris Nowak
2B Elliot Johnson
SS Reid Brignac
3B Adam Kennedy
LF Justin Ruggiano
CF Ghost of Fernando Perez
RF Not long before Joyce is here
DH ,,,,,,Michel Hernendez?

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Apr 1, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Rhyne Hughes

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Apr 1, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

New idea then

Nowak at 3B, Hughes at 1B, Kennedy in LF, Ruggs in CF

I like it

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Apr 1, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't think Kennedy's valuable unless we have him playing 2B every day

Or maybe SS occasionally. What’s the point of stashing him in Durham if when we need him he’s rusty at the position?

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Apr 1, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Then swap Kennedy and Johnson

I will just be focused on the bats of Brignac, Jaso and a guy I think will break out, Hughes

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Apr 1, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

someone useful at 1B

What about Chris Richard. he was pretty much the team MVP last year. I heard he was considering retirement last season but after having such a good year decided to keep going at it.

by Eyeliveforthis! on Apr 1, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

First decison = lovin it

Next, put Izzy on the DL and trade Hammer time!

27 guys left on the roster (that includes Izzy)

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Apr 1, 2009 10:46 AM EDT reply actions

I trade Niemann--here's why

Price will be in the rotation and soon after Davis

Niemann is not built for the pen, and Hamel is

by Raymondo on Apr 1, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

I like both hammel and Niemann

but I think Niemann could be a very good power reliever

by Sveet on Apr 1, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

Although I’ve cooled quite a bit on Hammel. Niemann has the much greater potential to be good long term. I’d rather release Hammel than get peanuts for Niemann.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Apr 1, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Besides one apperance, Hammel has shown me nothing that says he can be a usefull RP.

However, the comments from Maddon and Friedman suggest they think Niemann can.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 1, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Useful? Sure. Good? Probably not.

I don’t see why Hammel can’t be a league average reliever. He has decent fastball velocity and a good hammer curve. When he keeps the ball down, he’s a pretty decent pitcher. I almost wish we could send him back to Durham. I feel like some more time with X might help his location issues.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Apr 1, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I wish he could develope some more movement on his fastball

making some sinking action to make location less of an issue and get his FB tendencies reduced

by BossmanJunior333 on Apr 1, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd rather get peanuts for Hammel.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 1, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Of course

But I mean if we can’t find a taker for Hammel, then I’d rather release him than trade Niemann for way below value. I’m fine with getting cash or minor league roster filler for Hammel.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Apr 1, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

ISAIAS VELASQUEZ!

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 1, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

What do you think are the chances

that once Upton comes back, Joyce sticks around? If he raked and really impressed everyone, do you think the Rays would consider releasing/trading Gross? Would they be willing to stick him in RF and let him sink or swim as an everyday player? I think we would all agree Joyce is about equal to Gross right now offensively and defensively, but would there be a risk exposing him to LHP in the majors or platooning him at such an early point in his career?

by BossmanJunior333 on Apr 1, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions