The Tampa Bay Rays Are Mulling Other Offers for Jason Hammel

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 4, 2009 9:19 PM EDT

LAS VEGAS — The Rockies and Rays have agreed on the parameters of a deal that would land Colorado right- handed reliever Jason Hammel, but Tampa Bay is still mulling other offers.

The Rockies would send Double-A pitcher Aneury Rodriguez to the Rays, whom Tampa Bay scouted heavily in Tucson last week.

Tampa Bay, however, has scheduled Hammel to throw in a minor- league game Sunday in a last attempt to increase his trade value to multiple suitors.

Denver Post

Apparently the Rockies would initially use Hammel in long relief and in spot starts. I'm not sure that's going to help him -- considering he seemed to lose focus after heading into that role last season -- but we'll see. Also, if the Rays have offers that are comparable to Aneury Rodriguez out there, then I think everyone has misread Hammel's value to other teams.

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Also, if the Rays have offers that are comparable to Aneury Rodriguez out there, then I think everyone has misread Hammel’s value to other teams.

meaning we all thought he was worth less than he really is?

by walkoffwalk on Apr 4, 2009 9:28 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 4, 2009 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions

well, i guess we feel is value is in the shitter because we might DFA either him or Cormier and thus need to make a move.

by walkoffwalk on Apr 4, 2009 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I have always thought he was valuable

He is definitely underrated by Rays fans. In fact when I talk to most people about the the final 2 pitching spots. I usually get a response like Hammel sucks get rid of him.

I’m not saying he is going to become “good”, but he could become a “good” #5 starter. That’s valuable to a lot of teams.

by Sveet on Apr 4, 2009 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions

inconsistency has made me sour on Hammel.

Somedays he is lights out, and other days he is being torched.

In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Apr 4, 2009 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions

So, the Rays are hell-bent on getting a guy with the last name Rodriguez on the team, jeez.

No, in all seriousness, I think Rodriguez is a younger Hammel with more options. But, something is better then nothing. Now, if we can only trade Niemann to make way for Price.

In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Apr 4, 2009 11:04 PM EDT reply actions

or release Cormier when Price is ready

Also, somebody could hit the DL by the time Price is ready to come up. We should just worry about that problem once we get there.

by nolesblogger on Apr 4, 2009 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions

by release I mean waive

Either way, the point is we have different ways to play, some of which may not even be apparent right now.

by nolesblogger on Apr 4, 2009 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions

This might not be for awhile though.

If Davis starts the year in Durham like he finished last year I would expect him to get the call first.

What we do if both Davis and Price are ready by the ASG I haven’t gotten a clue.

by Dbullsfan on Apr 5, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm perfectly content with Aneury.

But I wouldn’t mind trying to pick up a position player of equal value in this situation.

by twenty5psi on Apr 5, 2009 1:09 AM EDT reply actions

If we could pick up a 1B at the AA level or lower I would be happy

at some point Pena is going to be gone and unless I’m missing someone we have no one in the system that would replace him.

by Dbullsfan on Apr 5, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Do we honestly need one?

I’m pretty confident this organization can easily find a first baseman on the market for next to nothing. Look at the guys they’ve grabbed since arriving; Branyan, Norton, Pena, Choi, Wigginton, Hinske, all could’ve passed at first base.

Well, maybe not Choi anymore.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 5, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

The Russ Branyan movie would be called

10 Cents: Hit a homer or die trying.

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 5, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions