Matthew Joyce Wins Final Bench Spot on Tampa Bay Rays

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 1, 2009 3:58 PM EDT

According to Marc Lancaster, via Twitter:

tboraysMatt Joyce wins final spot on Rays' bench

Well, we had assumed Joyce would not be the opening day right fielder, and it seems he won't be. Opening day center fielder however? Well, maybe. It's a pleasant alternative to Ben Zobrist, given Joyce's prospective future with the club.This presumably makes the opening day outfield consist of three left-handed hitters with Carl Crawford and Gross flanking Joyce, which makes sense, given Josh Beckett throws with his right arm. To see more information about Joyce, including the initial reaction to the Edwin Jackson deal, click here.

The Rays have one more decision to go before hitting the road, and that involves Jason Hammel/Jeff Niemann/Lance Cormier.

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Comments

Wow

This is pretty exciting.

I would love to see him homer in Fenway to start the season.

Take that Rocco. We don’t need you no mo.

by plasticman on Apr 1, 2009 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

This isn't necessary

what did Rocco do wrong?

Did the Rays even offer him a deal

Wish him well and move on

by Raymondo on Apr 1, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh get over it

It’s not like he said he hopes Rocco breaks a limb or something.

by mittens on Apr 1, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

It's not just the Rays

but every time a player changes teams through no fault of his own, his former ‘fans’ hate on him

by Raymondo on Apr 1, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Where is he gonna play?

Or are they planning on giving him 99% of his ABs as a PH?

by Vin on Apr 1, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Guessing PH.

There’s no way they can honestly expect him to run.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 1, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Especially in maybe the biggest outfield in the majors...

First base if anything.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Apr 1, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

He hasn't played 1B in over ten years.

by Vin on Apr 1, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

He isn't going to play anywhere else on defense.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Apr 1, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

It was an awful idea to sign on with a NL team.

Floyd’s awesome and all, but I don’t see how they’re going to carry the guy all year.

by Vin on Apr 1, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

He'll probably be dealt at the deadline.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 1, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe.

How did he get a job and Edmonds didn’t?

I just don’t see there being a market for the big guy. I’m pretty surprised he got a big league deal in the first place considering the market.

by Vin on Apr 1, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Cause Floyd wins

Marlins, Rays…obviously if you sign him you become a contender.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 1, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Dunno.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 1, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Veteran Leader II: This time its personal...

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Apr 1, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't care who it is....

I will never root for someone in a Red Sox jersey. See my signature.

I want Baldelli to be healthy enough to play in 150 games, I just hope he sucks. Like Greg Vaughn suck.

by SeanDubbs on Apr 1, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I hate the Red Sox so

much that till the Rays could compete, i rooted for the Yankees

by Raymondo on Apr 1, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Dude

At some point this season Rocco is going to make an excellent play—for the other team.

You going to be “wishing him well” then?

Yeah. Didn’t think so.

by plasticman on Apr 1, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

In his case--yes

It’s still agame, and with him the game is life

by Raymondo on Apr 1, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Yoda?

by plasticman on Apr 1, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Not Jonny Gomes

by Sveet on Apr 1, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

This

Jonny Gomes is above all.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 1, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed...

If Rocco would have signed with the Reds instead of the Red Sox it would be a much different story.

I want Baldelli to be healthy enough to play in 150 games, I just hope he sucks. Like Greg Vaughn suck.

by SeanDubbs on Apr 1, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Well earned

AL East 2009:

1. Rays
2. Sox
3. Yankees

by FloridaownsFSU on Apr 1, 2009 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

Hmmm

I doubt he replaces Gross after a week, but much better than putting Zobrist out there. I can’t wait till Joyce is an everyday player for the Rays.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 1, 2009 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

Good for Joyce...

I got to watch him quite a bit at Florida Southern. I’ll be happy if he can match the same production that Hinske gave us last season.

I want Baldelli to be healthy enough to play in 150 games, I just hope he sucks. Like Greg Vaughn suck.

by SeanDubbs on Apr 1, 2009 4:02 PM EDT reply actions

Awesome

I didn’t see Joyce being in the majors til June or so but Friedman always proves me wrong and this is a awesome decision.

Now, 1 more decision to make (well 2 but whoever wins the #5 should decide who wins the last RP spot)

Come on Rockies, trade us something decent for Hammel

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Apr 1, 2009 4:04 PM EDT reply actions

He probably will only be up for a week though

by Sveet on Apr 1, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I eel somewhat vindicated

I’ve been calling for him to play every day since the trade, and was told in no uncertain terms he’ open at AAA

by Raymondo on Apr 1, 2009 4:15 PM EDT reply actions

If Upton was healthy

he would be in AAA.

by Vin on Apr 1, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Sometimes, that's all it takes.

Nobody knew Aybar was as good as he is until he got a shot due to injury.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Apr 1, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Huh?

Due to who’s injury? Aybar was the opening day 3B last year.

by Vin on Apr 1, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Good point.

I have no idea what I was talking about. LOL

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Apr 1, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Aybar played a lot last year when Pena was hurt

by ValricoBrian on Apr 1, 2009 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Possibly, i guess we'll find out in a couple weeks

by Raymondo on Apr 1, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Well if Fernando Perez was healthy then there wouldn't be a question who the opening day CF would be.

It took an injury to Perez an Upton for a spot to open.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 1, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Tommy, i like Joyce's power

33 HR last season

by Raymondo on Apr 1, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Everybody likes Joyce's power

He’s Jeromy Burnitz with a glove that works.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 1, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd take it if that's what he does

The more I hear about Joyce from unbiased third parties, the more I like him.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Apr 1, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Like me?

by rglass44 on Apr 2, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Not exactly

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Apr 3, 2009 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Damn

I already forgot about Fernie.

by Vin on Apr 1, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Suck it Sylar

Swav or Die.

by SRQman on Apr 1, 2009 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

Kazmir'd

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 1, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Leave the guy alone he's busy creating a chant in the Show that is a subliminal message telling people to by The Show

He’s going to be streaming over on JTV if you want to feel impulsive

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 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions