Stark: Rays Looking for "Next J.P. Howell"
by R.J. Anderson on Jun 25, 2009 3:33 PM EDT
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PrintCatch some Rays: Contrary to what we (and others) have been reporting, we're now hearing that the Rays aren't necessarily shopping for bullpen help. Clubs that have talked to them say they're shopping for "upgrades." And those upgrades aren't exclusively bullpen upgrades or even big-league upgrades. They'd also prefer long-term upgrades over short-term upgrades. So what they're looking for in the bullpen, in other words, is the next J.P. Howell, not the next Eric Gagne. And they've been asking about the potential availability of young corner outfielders, as opposed to the Jermaine Dyes of the world, an indication they clearly think they can live, for now, with the .805 OPS and excellent defense they've been getting from their Gabe Gross/Gabe Kapler/Ben Zobrist rotation in right.
I guess Jon Heyman's report about the Rays "wanting a closer" is false or at least not 100% accurate. There's a few ways to take this report. Some will resort to saying the Rays are quitting on 2009 and focusing on the future, others are going to commend the Rays for avoiding tunnel vision. The interesting thing, more so than looking for potentially undervalued pitchers/prospects, is the corner outfield mention. A few scenarios pop to mind, but I'd rather not expand on baseless conjecture.
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Heyman Reporting that the Rays are interested in
* Tony Abreu
* Garret Anderson
* Rick Ankiel
* Josh Barfield
* Carlos Beltrán
* Adrián Beltré
* Willie Bloomquist
* Chris Bootcheck
* Chris Coghlan
* Alex Cora
* Joe Crede
* Johnny Damon
* Chris Davis
* J. D. Drew
* Stephen Drew
* Jacoby Ellsbury
* Prince Fielder
* Eric Gagné
* Carlos Gómez
* Craig Hansen
* Runelvys Hernández
* Luke Hochevar
* Matt Holliday
* Andruw Jones
* Jair Jurrjens
* Ian Kennedy
* Byung-Hyun Kim
* Gerald Laird
* Matt LaPorta
* Kyle Lohse
* Felipe López
* Rodrigo López
* Derek Lowe
* Ryan Madson
* Daisuke Matsuzaka
* Kevin Millwood
* Zach Miner
* Xavier Nady
* David Newhan
* Magglio Ordóñez
* Micah Owings
* Corey Patterson
* John Patterson
* Mike Pelfrey
* Carlos Peña
* Óliver Pérez
* Rick Porcello
* Albert Pujols
* Guillermo Quiróz
* Manny Ramirez
* Anthony Reyes
* Alex Rodriguez
* Iván Rodríguez
* Dane Sardinha
* Max Scherzer
* Scott Schoeneweis
* Bobby Seay
* Julián Tavárez
* Willy Taveras
* Taylor Teagarden
* Mark Teixeira
* Jason Varitek
* Ron Villone
* Jarrod Washburn
* Jeff Weaver
* Jered Weaver
* Brad Wilkerson
* Barry Zito
* Scott Becker
* Matt Wieters
Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2009 3:37 PM EDT reply actions 13 recs
If this doesn't go green, then the rec system is broke.
by R.J. Anderson on Jun 25, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
You sir are a god among men.
+1
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jun 25, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
The fact that they could be looking for a young corner OF I find odd.
Given that we have CC, BJ, Zo, Joyce, Perez, Ruggiano and Jennings already. I guess depth is always good but it seems like a young corner OF would be one of the last spots I would look. I could see young 2B if you aren’t 100% sold on Briggs or C, heck even a young 1B/DH before I would look Corner OF.
We can find cheap useful 1B/DH on the open market yearly.
by R.J. Anderson on Jun 25, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
The Rays are always looking for cheap, talented, high-upside young players
The more, the merrier.
Hello.
It'sbeen a while since I said how much I love Pence.........
Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Jeff Niemann 5. Andy Sonnanstine...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis......Scott Kazmir?
I like how him, Bruce, and Jenks
got me Teix, Carpenter, and A-Ram about a month ago
Rays Win!
by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 25, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Vote of no confidence in Crawford being a Ray beyond this year most likely.
by R.J. Anderson on Jun 25, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I really think they pick up his 2010 option
and try to get something awesome next July
Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Jeff Niemann 5. Andy Sonnanstine...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis......Scott Kazmir?
I would rather trade him this July
when he is in the middle of a very good season, trade value quite high.
Its not the worst idea
what kinda deal would we be looking for?
Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Jeff Niemann 5. Andy Sonnanstine...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis......Scott Kazmir?
would Florida be interested by any chance
I wouldn’t mind a deal involving Coghlan and Lindstrom.. He could play LF or 2B.
Lindstrom is injured and he implodes too often
Coghlan is ok, unsure about his D
Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Jeff Niemann 5. Andy Sonnanstine...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis......Scott Kazmir?
Multi team trade to get
Laporta, Gamel, Weiters, Porcello, and Posey.
Rays Win!
by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 25, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I did almost that in 2k9
I’m a better GM than Friedman
Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions
seems to be a near carbon copy of cc, though
xb power, wicked speed, lots of hits
So long, Sweet Lime!
Also Interesting:
If you’re hanging by the TV and waiting for that imminent return of Pedro Martinez, it might be safe to make other plans. The latest word on the Pedro front is that he’s still looking for what one executive describes as “a Brad Penny contract” (a prorated $5 million, plus lots of incentives). And he’s interested only in being a starting pitcher. An official of one team reports that in his workout last week, Martinez was “throwing 85 [mph] — and it’s soft.” Asked what he could read into that, the official replied, “Let’s say it’s not what I had in mind to pay $5 million for.”
Well, a crappy mid-80s fastball isn’t that good for a reliever.
I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.
Pedro your an idiot, your not going to get 5 Million from any team
so go retire
Ricky Rubio has become my new man crush
Longoria
Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
E-Lo for K-Rod. Do it.
RD over and out.
by ReasonableDoubt on Jun 25, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe papelbon AND uberprospect Lars Anderson
Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
GEOVANNY SOTO TESTED POSITIVE FOR POT!!!!
DUGOUT RIPOFF FORTHCOMMING
Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2009 3:51 PM EDT reply actions
They didn't specify how young of a corner outfielder they are looking for.
I don’t believe the system has that many power hitting corner prospects. Wouldn’t be a bad time to acquire one that may help in 2-3 years.
THAT'S FUN! NEWS!
Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions
we have to scout them from croatia to get the leg up on fiscal bullies like the yanks
So long, Sweet Lime!
Rays thinking about maybe scouting croatia! Fun news!
Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
o that sounds great I hear it's a baseball hotbead....
teeming with undiscovered talent
Rays baseball + Colorado Football= amazing
It's teeming with something
Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I was going to go for masses yearning to breathe free, but w/e
Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
OT-The dating with Herpes banner freaks me out
I guess if I was blessed with such a disease it would be a useful website to visit. Although I’d rather spread the seed
"blessed"
Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
What the hell "sport" is that
Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
A little sneak peak as to what I'm working on with regards to that...
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jun 25, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
It's been surprisingly less consistant than last year at this point.
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jun 25, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Working on it.
I expect the FanPost to be done tonight.
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jun 25, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions
anyway to match up days of the week?
It seems obvious where the weekends are…
Yes. It will be in the Post.
:)
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jun 25, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm looking into the down-side of the concert series.
Games before and after Concert games may or may not be worse because of the concert.
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jun 25, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Shout out to Chad Billingsley for imploding and ruining my fantasy day at fucking 4 pm
Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions
Heard that
Also heard Hawk Harrelson make the call and wanted to eject captains chair into helicopter ceiling
Rays Win!
by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 25, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
WHY THE HELL WOULD THE MAGIC TRADE COURTNEY LEE FOR VINCE CARTER?!?!?!?!?!?!
Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2009 4:18 PM EDT reply actions
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jun 25, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
not being used to a non #1 pick
succeeding??? No idea…
Kaz/Shields/Garza/Sonny/Price/Davis/Hellickson-necessitate a drool cup or a 7 man rotation
by CubFanRaysaddict on Jun 25, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
oh after reading 3QC
Money is why b/w Rafer and Battie is about 12 mil in salary for next year.
Kaz/Shields/Garza/Sonny/Price/Davis/Hellickson-necessitate a drool cup or a 7 man rotation
by CubFanRaysaddict on Jun 25, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn't know there were any french centers in the league that he could teabag.
I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.
Orlando is full of masochists
Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.
Vince Carter is half baby half monster. Courtney Lee was a ray of light
Im so mad right now
Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2009 4:54 PM EDT reply actions
Is this official? And if it's about money how do you trade someone making nothing for someone making max?
Rays Win!
by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 25, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes it's official. "CubFanRaysaddict" was right. Dumping Skip and Battie along with Lee
I’m so angry
Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know how to feel about this trade if we don't retain hedo
Lee was good and had great potential, Alston was going to play second fiddle and Battie was making way too much, at least with Anderson we have a guy who is in Battie’s mold (big w/ outside shooting capabilities) for 1/6th the price, if there is anyway we retain Hedo by going into the luxury tax this team will be out of this world by adding Carter for the next 2-3 years.
Kaz/Shields/Garza/Sonny/Price/Davis/Hellickson-necessitate a drool cup or a 7 man rotation
by CubFanRaysaddict on Jun 25, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I would have liked to have seen Lee play without the mask
It seemed to kill his game offensively
Rays Win!
by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 25, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions
He needs to get his hands on
Richard Hamiltons mask,
Kaz/Shields/Garza/Sonny/Price/Davis/Hellickson-necessitate a drool cup or a 7 man rotation
by CubFanRaysaddict on Jun 25, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously, Vince Carter is barely half a man, and certainly not half amazing
Until Next Time,
The Sports Chief
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2009 5:08 PM EDT reply actions
thats a really dumb trade by the magic, I was very impressed with Lee last year, Carter isnt even that good anymore
T-Wolves drafted Rubio!
Ricky Rubio has become my new man crush
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