No Love for Jason Cromer

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 21, 2009 10:23 AM EDT

This spring Cromer grabbed by attention when he struck out five "Red Sox" in a meaningless spring game. He was then shipped off to minor league camp where he some how ended up in the Durham Bulls rotation. After two starts here are his numbers with the Bulls

1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2.70 FIP, 10 IP, O EARNED RUNS.

Not a bad start even if Cromer is 28 and never pitched in the bigs. So how did the Rays reward Cromer for his good start? A demotion back to Montgomery of course. According to Biscuit Crumbs' Stacy Long, Cromer has been sent down to Double-A to make room in the Durham rotation for James Houser. Now you have to like the move from the Organizations stand point. Houser is 25, left handed and has done well at Double-A. He gives the Rays yet another arm to add to the overall depth, but you have to feel for Cromer. Oh well, we'll always have that spring box score to look back at.

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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Good for Houser.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 21, 2009 10:27 AM EDT reply actions

Why do you hate Cromer, Rocco Baldelli, Jason Bartlett and Baseball?

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 21, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

I did see where Baldelli got hurt the other day

not a big surprise, but he might be headed to the DL

by usfraysfan on Apr 21, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

That's the risk the Sox were taking. All the best to Rocco, but not surprising as you said.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 21, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Well that was unpredictable.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 21, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Houser I think is in his last year with the Rays unless he does something amazing.

The Rays will have some interesting decisions to make when it comes to players who will eligible for the Rule-V draft. Houser has been a frustrating Prospect to say the least.

In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Apr 21, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Houser's already on the 40-man roster

And he has one more option year left after this one. He’s near the top of the list of guys to waive if we need to, but since there aren’t a ton of hot prospects that need to be protected next year, I doubt they’ll need to do so.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Apr 21, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions

If you say so.

Houser just reminds me alot of Chris Seddon, if Chris Seddon was suspended 50 games for a substance abuse violation.

In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Apr 21, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

What is the future of Talbot?

I don’t see him cracking the Rays rotation in the bigs with studs like Price, Davis and Hellickson in the pipeline. Reliever or trade bait? 26 years old, probably need to decide soon before he is Cromered.

by FreeZorilla on Apr 21, 2009 10:47 AM EDT reply actions

Most likely a mix of reliever and trade bait.

He’s better than Cromer.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 21, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

He has the best FIP on the team so far

LINKY

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 21, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Nice to see Casey Fossum on that list

He just got called up to the Mets.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 21, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

The Fossum Prison is moving to Citi Field.

In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Apr 21, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

With Talbot stuff and his "spitfire" personality he would be an awesome closer.

He could just mainly use his fastball, which has awesome movement, and his killer change-up.

In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Apr 21, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Does he really have that great of a fastball?

I seem to recall it being a “meh” offering, but his change-up operating quite well.

So, you know, Dan Wheeler.

by Suttree on Apr 21, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I have seen some of his games in Durham

and what has impressed me was his movement on his fastball, I saw late movement.

In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Apr 21, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh, sweet.

I liked him anyway from what I’ve heard and the numbers I’ve seen, but if he does actually have a good fastball, then that is badass.

DFA PERCY, BRING UP TALBOT.

by Suttree on Apr 21, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I am certain it was stressed to Cromer that his demotion

has nothing to do with his performance. It has to do with the numbers game. Cromer, more then likely, will be the first one promoted to Durham after Price is called up at the end of May or Early June. I think Cromer’s performance in ST has done alot to increase his stock-value, whether that be with the Rays or another ball club. I think Cromer is could be an interesting thought as a long reliever/ spot starter.

In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Apr 21, 2009 11:12 AM EDT reply actions