Rays building bullpen arms

by raysfaninminnesota on Aug 3, 2009 11:13 AM EDT Comment 4 comments

It hasn't usually been organizational philosophy so far, but it seems as if the Rays are slowly accumulating bullpen arms. One of the unsung FO moves of the year might have been acquiring John Meloan. Moved back into a bullpen role, it seems as if he's starting to show once again why he was a highly regarded bullpen arm. Matt Gorgen is transitioning nicely into double A ball. Eduardo Morlan wasn't ready for the big time after being a Rule 5 pickup and was sent back to the Rays and is putting up a solid season in Montgomery. People tend to forget that he doesn't turn 24 until next year. A guy like Mitch Talbot seems like he's a arm that could transition well into the bullpen. Even Joe Maddon wondered aloud if Jake McGee would be a awesome power lefty in the pen.

Some of this is circumstances, but the Rays are slowly assembling some promising arms for the bullpen. And more ways of cutting costs next year. Guys like Meloan and even Sonny could replace Nelson and Cormier. Talbot could do the same.

What is the thought on Meloan? Can he be a good reliever in Tampa Bay next year? Is there any other prospects that show promise in a relief role?

0 recs | Comment 4 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I'm assuming you mean starters that might have some potential as relievers?

because if not its going to be a Matt Gorgen lovefest in here.

I could see someone like the strandmaster as a long reliever if he ever wants to make himself a major league career. I don’t see guys like Talbot/Sonny/Rollins as relief guys (despite the fact that I love them all).

by Navi's_Navy on Aug 3, 2009 3:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cormier is actually under team control

for two more years I think after this one, and should remain cheap as the teams long reliever.

Kaz/Shields/Garza/Sonny/Price/Davis/Hellickson-necessitate a drool cup or a 7 man rotation

by CubFanRaysaddict on Aug 3, 2009 4:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We have tons of possible RP but tons of SP

We either have to trade them or place 4 of the Niemann, Davis, Sonny, Talbot, Cromer group in the men

Can David Ortiz please send Dioner Navarro some of his PED's? K? Thanks

by matthan on Aug 3, 2009 7:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I really do think the Rays may want to trade from their perceived

strength in starter pitching depth in order to get more promising position players. But I do not think the need is as urgent as you seem to think. Nor do I think the depth is as impressive as you suggest.

I understand, and appreciate, the concern for maximizing value and not waiting until teams know you have to deal before closing on a trade. But again, I think you overemphasize the seriousness of that issue.

I did a quick survey of all 14 AL teams. Aside from the Rays, the fewest starters any team has used of pitchers still with the team (i.e. I did not count pitchers who have been traded already or released) is 7. Most teams used at least 8 and in some cases as many as 11 (Angels). And every team has a number of pitchers at AAA, some of whom (such as Bowden in Boston or Arrieta in Baltimore) are considered good prospects.

Now you might say “But many of those pitchers were injured, or are old, or are set to become free agents, or are not very good and easily expendable or are disappointing or not really prospects or will not remain with the team because of cost or any number of other things”, and I would say that is exactly my point. The Rays have exactly the same issues or almost certainly will have them.

So perhaps the Rays would be smart to get a head start on those other teams since they will be competitors in the marketplace when dealing begins again, or there will be a glut of desirable starters seeking limited jobs later on. And I respond, perhaps so, but if every team is in the same situation then it is up to the front office to negotiate when it has the most up-to-date information about its own situation, not to jump too early when its own situation remains fuzzy.

Maybe Sonnanstine and Talbot do go to the bullpen to replace Bradford/Wheeler/Choate/Nelson et al. Maybe Davis starts in the bullpen, or maybe he proves to need more seasoning. Maybe some team really wants Hellickson and is prepared to offer a power hitting first baseman or solid catcher next spring but not now.

I simply do not think the Rays situation is unique or desperate. I do not think there is any such thing as a glut of starters. Attrition is too certain for that ever to be the case, and so I think a team is better waiting to get the best possible deal than jumping at an early offer if they do not like the value returned. Of course there is a risk; there always is. But looking a year down the road and anticipating that Davis and Hellickson will be successful and will be pushing for room ahead of Shields, Garza, Kazmir, Price, Niemann and/or Sonnanstine who will then lose market value because teams know the Rays are desperate to move them is premature.

by bobr on Aug 5, 2009 10:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs