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Our Spring Nightmare is Finally Over as the Roster is Set; Jason Hammel Officially Traded

No longer hammer time in Tampa Bay.

No longer hammer time in Tampa Bay.

Joe Smith with the scoop. In exchange, we get Aneury Rodriguez. That means Jeff Niemann will remain a Ray (yay!) and will be the fifth starter. That means Lance Cormier will also stick around, probably as the long-man in the bullpen.

You can read more about Rodriguez from yesterday's posts, but he's a fine return. I don't know what his roof is, and if he turns into a league average starter that's great. He's a lot better than I would've expected and given the circumstances it's a nice coup. I still hope Hammel succeeds in Colorado. He's been a part of this organization for a long, long time, and unfortunately things just didn't work out here.

So your 25-man roster is done, but don't get too comfortable, with B.J. Upton due back in a week, someone's gonna get the boot relatively quickly. Plus, there's a good chance someone gets hurt or bombs early on like oh...every other year. The best news though, is that in 24 hours we're going to have a GDT that means something.

Baseball is finally back.

0 recs  |  Comment 51 comments |

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Late in ST, there were 4 guys for 2 spots

Izzy, Cormier, Hammel and Niemann

Rays look like genius again and wind up choosing Niemann and Cormier

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Apr 5, 2009 2:22 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

"Rays look like genius again and wind up choosing Niemann and Cormier"

Was there ever really another choice?

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Apr 5, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sure seemed like Niemann and Hammel for a while

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Apr 5, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

This works out better than I thought

Niemann and Cormier make the team as they should. And we get a useful prospect in return for Hammel.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 5, 2009 2:25 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Cormier blows

As long as he assumes the Hammel role of last season, though, I’m fine with him making the team.

Based on what I read about Rodriguez yesterday, I like this return.

Hello.

by killa3312 on Apr 5, 2009 2:27 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Cormier is better than Bradford

a decent GB pitcher who actually pitched well in the ALE

Don’t confuse yourself with his stats as a SP, he truly i not one

by Raymondo on Apr 5, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Indeed

Always going to be a big fan of that kooky submarine delivery, even if he’s ‘just a LOOGY’.

Check out my blog on web development at kericr.wordpress.com

by kericr on Apr 6, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cormier would've been the third best reliever in the Rays pen in 2008.

Also he’s a ground ball pitcher who didn’t have a shortstop behind him in Baltimore. I expect him to be just as good as he was in 2008 if not better with the Rays defense. At 675k that’s a bargain.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 5, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

We may have to wait a little longer.

100% chance of rain in Boston tomorrow. Thankfully Tuesday is an off day so they can make it up then.

by Devil Ray on Apr 5, 2009 2:36 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

oh for christs sake

Thats it, all stadiums need a retractable roof

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Apr 5, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rain is in Tuesday's forecast too

Say hello to a DH later in the year

Joe

by joedobr on Apr 5, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

it's suppose to come in the afternoon

I’m still holding out hope but most likely it will be wet at least sometime during the game if they get it in

by Sveet on Apr 5, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

national weather service forecast for Boston

Monday:
Showers, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 51. East wind between 9 and 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

:(

[Note: frowny face not included in actual forecast]

Today, we are all Honkballers.

by RATW on Apr 5, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dammit that's what I get for taking a half day

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 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

A lot can change in a day

Hopefully the storm passes over.

Hello.

by killa3312 on Apr 5, 2009 2:52 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

What I don't get

Is why the Rays seem to ALWAYS start on the road up north? Wouldn’t it make sense to have an Opening Day at the dome because of the usually cold and damp weather?! I have never understood it and never will. Take advantage of teams like Tampa Bay and Texas and Toronto with their domes and ensure there are ealier season games played on time with zero chance of a delay.

Joe

by joedobr on Apr 5, 2009 2:54 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Favorable weather

Warmer type of climate, although you could have freakier weather there.

Joe

by joedobr on Apr 5, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think he's referring to Houston's stadium.

Not the Rangers’.

B Rad the Ray Fan

by B Ray on Apr 5, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Did we trade for Pence yet?

Ah yes, if anyone still remembers the pre Burrell signing(I hardly do at this point), Hunter Pence was my dream pick up

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Apr 5, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

either

Most of Texas is favorable this time of year. Of course, Minute Maid has the retractable roof, so any time is a good time. The Dallas/Ft. Worth area should have more games earlier in the year.

Joe

by joedobr on Apr 5, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I beleive the Rays ask to start on the road

I remember stu or silverman saying in an article that they prefer it because with spring training close by that going on the road to start the season builds some anticipation

by Sveet on Apr 5, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not sure I agree with their argument

Just seems to me like it’d make more sense to want to start the season at home. I haven’t checked the schedules but I’m willing to bet all or most of MLB’s marquee franchises are opening at home. There’s plenty of politics involved in scheduling a team’s season.

by yeseggs on Apr 5, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

1 thing that could become a issue now

is if Niemann gets injuried, no one can step in, might see Price sooner than we thought if the giant gets hurt

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Apr 5, 2009 3:09 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Oh come on

You mean to tell me that Price, Davis or even Talbot couldn’t step in? There’s more than enough depth there.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Apr 5, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I meant ON the rostter

Of course they can after that game ends

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Apr 5, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

If it's just one game we're worried about

then Cormier can go long if he needs to. Howell probably could as well.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Apr 6, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I am curious to know

why the schedule makers do not start the season in warmer climates and domed stadiums. I think the AL has 6 such venues and the NL 8 which would mean just about every game could be near a guaranteed go. Instead we regularly get games rained out or even snowed out or played in cold, damp weather that jeopardizes the health of the players.

I wonder if it has anything to do with problems scheduling fall games which can also be affected by bad weather. Over the years, opening day has come earlier (it used to be April 15) and the season lasts longer into October. But whatever, it would be interesting to know the thinking that lies behind the decisions.

by bobr on Apr 5, 2009 3:12 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

A long time ago, when ST started

Friedman said it was a 4 way race but at that point, I had zero doubt that Price would be the #5.

Anyway, it became obvious it was Hammel vs Niemann so thanks again Friedman, for making the right decision

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Apr 5, 2009 3:33 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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