Rays Sign Jeff Bennett To 25-Man Roster; Release James Houser
The Rays have signed 29-year-old, RHP Jeff Bennett today and added him to the 25-man roster. This move corresponds with the optioning of Joe Nelson to the minors. Sorry R.J. no Andy Sonnanstine for you. Bennett was recently released by the Atlanta Braves after going 2-4 with a 3.18 ERA/4.58 FIP in 33 games. Bennett landed on the DL on June 25th with a broken hand that required surgery. After completing his rehab assignment, the Braves granted his release.
He throws a fast ball/slider combo with his fastball averaging a solid 92 mph. His slider is around 84 mph, but he can get it up to 87 on occasion. Bennett has used a curveball and a changeup in the past, but has seemingly scrapped those pitches in 2009. He does get his fair share of groundballs as evidenced by his 55% career GB rate and has done a good job of keeping the ball in the park over the last two seasons (7 HR in 130+ innings.) He doesn't strike out many (6.26 K/9 career) and walks have given him a problem (4.05 BB/9 career). To clear the room for Bennett on the 40-man, the Rays released LHP James Houser, who has struggled in the minors this season.
A note on Bennett's dispute with the Braves:
The Braves didn’t announce it at the time, but they suspended his pay beginning June 25. He filed a grievance with the players association and continued his rehab, including two recent minor-league appearances.
When the grievance was heard, the Braves were directed to either “cure the default” by giving him his back pay for the period he was suspended, or allow him to become a free agent. Braves media-relations director Brad Hainje said Bennett requested the team release him from his contract, which they did.
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Seems so, whats the story with Bennett?
Ground baller with a lot of walks?
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
Despite the velocity don’t expect much in the way of whiffs or strikeouts.
Over the last three years his swinging strike rates are: 6.5%, 8.4%, 6.3%. For a National League reliever those are well below average.
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 1, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
He asked to be released by the Braves if it makes you feel any better
0.8 WAR last year, broke hand trying to fix a support beam with his fist this year, if he’s Nelly with K’s I’m cool with that.
I can't help that I make some things look easier than they really are.
Give him a chance, if he flames out it cost us nothing
He’s probably on a short leash as it is, but it’s not like we haven’t played reliever spaghetti against the wall before.
I can't help that I make some things look easier than they really are.
Sonny/Bradford will take one of the loogies spot after the Sox (just a prediction)
Bennett will prob the last man out of the pen
2010 starters
C Non on active roster 1B Carlos Pena 2B Ben Zobrist SS Jason Bartlett/Reid Brignac 3B Evan Longoria LF Carl Crawford CF B.J Upton RF Matt Joyce DH Pat Burrell
He's not awful, but likely worse than Sonny would be.
tRA over those last three years; 3.8, 3.39, 5.51 meanwhile his FIP were 4.78, 4.07, 4.58. ZiPS has him at 4.09 the rest of the way, but a league switch to the AL bumps that up a few ticks.
So Houser will have to clear waivers? or did they flat out release him?
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word I got was he was released.
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by Tommy Rancel on Aug 1, 2009 1:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Houser is still suspended for PED's under the minor league program.
If he signs a minor league deal, he’ll probably miss the rest of the year because he still has to serve about 38 games if I’m not mistaken.
Tools Whore
I thought we got Jeff Buckley at first
I can't help that I make some things look easier than they really are.
He'll wear #47 like Gary Glover
www.draysbay.com
by Tommy Rancel on Aug 1, 2009 2:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
He is doomed.
"Doesn't Manny Ramirez look like the monster from Predator??" - Will Farrell as Harry Carey
by Gone Phishing on Aug 1, 2009 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Another ground baller in the Cormier/Bradford mold
Except he throws harder than both. If he works out great, if not he can easily be replaced by Nelson, Thayer or Sonny with a phone call and little dollars lost.
www.draysbay.com
by Tommy Rancel on Aug 1, 2009 2:06 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Just another low risk/high potential type signing
It just doesnt seem that even at his best, hes all that valuable. Im all for experimenting and taking chances, but this late in the year Id probably rather just go with a known righty out of the pen (Sonny, Thayer), but I will trust in the ways of the Friedman.
by BJ the Bossman on Aug 1, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I bet Andy will be on the playoff roster as a RP if we make it that far
They just want to keep him starting because thats where his value exists. The difference between Sonny and this guy in minimal relief innings is pretty small

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