Report: Tampa Bay Rays Hold Interest in Johnny Damon as Full-Time DH
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 27, 2010 4:42 PM EST
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PrintWell, this adds another dynamic. Randy Winn has signed with the Yankees, effectively leaving Johnny Damon in the cold. Yesterday, rumors about the Rays being involved in Orlando Hudson talks surfaced and in the past talks about Johnny Damon and Jim Thome have buoyed in the wave-ridden off-season waters. Everyone knows where this is going, so let me catch it then. Which player makes more sense?
If you take CHONE as gospel, then Damon is a win better. Simple enough, except Damon played in a wind tunnel last season. To murk things up further, that wind tunnel is one that we don't have enough data to have a firm grasp on how it affects offensive production. Damon performed admirably in the final season at Old Yankee Stadium fully to his credit, so the inflation might be less than you would think. Still, this is a 36-year-old coming off his best offensive season since the turn of the last decade.
Damon has one other clear advantage on hudson, and that is that he's played in the American League. Hudson's last year in the A.L. came before the Rays' front office renovation. Hudson is a better defender at a more premium defensive position though. This is where the intricacies that only the Rays feature come into play. They have wicked depth. Almost too much depth.
Matt Joyce, Sean Rodriguez, and Reid Brignac can head to Durham for another half-season (along with Desmond Jennings and guys like Ryan Shealy, giving the Bulls a better lineup than the Kansas City Royals) and in the right scenarios this could actually improve the roster. That's insane. Add either and Joyce might go down, or Rodriguez if Zobrist moves to the outfield, or Pat Burrell may never get the chance to rebound, or ... there's literally a million different scenarios.
Back to the point though. If it's Damon or Hudson, I think you have to go with Damon. Especially if the price is close. Read this post by Dave Cameron, you want the 2010 version of Bobby Abreu? He's right here. All that talking about prep-work about waiting on the market and taking advantage of some players who were frozen out could finally thaw out in these waning days before pitchers and catchers report.
I guess it really comes down to this: would a scorned Damon hook up with the Rays for a little anger bang?
Ed: And as I type this, Joel Sherman shows that I'm not a total moron for thinking about this.
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He's the odd man out.
Friedman getting his scissors ready.
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jan 27, 2010 4:52 PM EST up reply actions
It would be weird but it would be hillarious if he signed and bats .400 against the Yankess and Red Sux this year
karma is a b*tch
--Gerald Wallace is the best player the Bobcats will have..... EVER
--Someone should slap Larry Brown and bring him back to reality..
We don't have a facial hair policy.
So yes.
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jan 27, 2010 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
So any chance we actually cut PTB and give Joyce his chance? Damon is not about to be the everyday RF anyway
C Shoppach
1B Pena
2B Zobrist
SS Bartlett
3B Longoria
LF Crawford
CF Upton
RF Joyce
DH Damon (a Damon that is driven to beat up on the Yanks, I may add)
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
Either cut him or trade him for some spare part to put on the farm
Sink the costs, improve the team
by Jason Collette on Jan 27, 2010 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
Put Joyce in the minors
Do the swing platoon with Zo with Kapler/SRod alternating handedness. Platoon DH: Damon/Burrell
Bench:
Burrell/Damon
Kapler/Srod
Catcher
Aybar
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Well last month Rays were rumored to be among his top choices
http://www.draysbay.com/2009/12/21/1210168/report-rays-among-johnny-damons
I didn’t think it would happen, but I did mention
DH is the only option and currently the Rays have one of those. That said, if Damon’s market crashes and he becomes an absolute bargain, we can worry about positions later.
I think the Rays will dash Damon’s hopes and take a pass unless the price is just too good to pass up. If Damon is still sitting on the market in late-January, and lowers his demands a la Bobby Abreu in 2009, then count me in.
www.draysbay.com, www.beyondtheboxscore.com, Twitter @trancel
He can spit on George M. Steinbrenner field every time he drives on Dale Mabry.
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jan 27, 2010 5:12 PM EST up reply actions
Damon had a road OPS of .795 last year
compared to his .915 at Yankee Stadium last year.
That said, Damon to the Rays would make a great deal of sense. And it’d be a great way for Damon to get back at the Yankees, and quickly.
Yanks played 9 games at Trop. What was his OPS there?
Just dump Pat the bat rack. Total bust. Sign Damon and he can grow his hair and beard back.
One season isn't enough, nine games means about nothing.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 27, 2010 5:12 PM EST up reply actions
Stupid people care not for such silly nonsense as small sample sizes.
I miss George Steinbrenner. He was the man responsible for keeping the Yankees competitive.
The last time I did a sample size post someone said I invented regression and it doesn't exist.
Might be time to bark up that tree again.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 27, 2010 5:16 PM EST up reply actions
Have you given some thought to that platoon analysis I suggested to you earlier?
I miss George Steinbrenner. He was the man responsible for keeping the Yankees competitive.
You speak of such demonry you'll hang from the noose in the mornin'
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jan 27, 2010 5:17 PM EST up reply actions
What's the relevance there?
I don’t remember how Damon hit at the Trop last year. I do remember he mashed in Yankee Stadium, kinda like a lot of Yankees.
I do think Damon could work out very well in Tampa.
by FloridaownsFSU on Jan 27, 2010 5:15 PM EST up reply actions
Angry Injun Mashes Former Allies (x2)
Good story, bloody story.
Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"
by PlayOnWords on Jan 27, 2010 5:03 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Does anyone else think that between regression on both sides
the difference between PtB and Damon could be negligible next year?
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Damon wouldn't be as much of a shitshow in the OF, though.
In case we need to play him.
Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"
Burrell is finished
Can’t hit can’t field. Stick a fork in him.
He wasn't signed to field.
He was kinda signed to help give the Rays a better lineup against lefties. The Rays ’08 team OPS vs. lefties was .726; Burrell was .952.
2 years for 16 mil seemed like a bargain for that.
I think if Burrell is the DH this year, I expect a decent season from him. Certainly better than 2009.
by FloridaownsFSU on Jan 27, 2010 5:17 PM EST up reply actions
Damon's a lefty, which plays into things.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 27, 2010 5:11 PM EST up reply actions
Sure
But this team can’t afford to carry a platoon DH
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Afford financially, or in terms of roster flexibility
If its the latter, we are one of the few teams who could.
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Platoon it
Damon could play in the outfield in a pinch so its possible
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
I totally agree
We’re talking about playing DH and we know there is a fall off when everyday fielders move to DH. That coupled with Damon moving out of NYS and PtB regressing some would make them very close. Personally, I think Burrell has a better season if they’re both here playing DH this season.
I would prefer this as an allocation of resources to the Hudson deal.
DH is actually a need, unless you feel real positive about Pat bouncing back.
Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"
Here's the big quesiton: Regardless of team how much money will Damon end up signing for?
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this many
Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"
Speaking of which
Any of you have an interest in that item?
Official head of the Eric Berry bandwagon.
Buc'em- Your source for everything buccaneer.
I think of it
as a giant Iphone- w/o the ability to make phone calls.
Official head of the Eric Berry bandwagon.
Buc'em- Your source for everything buccaneer.
<3
C – Shoppach
1B – Pena
2B – Zobrist
SS – Bartlett
3B – Longoria
LF – Crawford
CF – Upton
RF – Joyce
DH – Damon
Bench – Aybar, Kapler, Navarro, Brignac
SP – Shields
SP – Garza
SP – Price
SP – Davis
SP – Niemann
Bullpen – Howell, Balfour, Choate, Cormier, Wheeler, Soriano, Thayer
Sign lady must die.
So Burrell just gets bought out
That would be sweet.
Color me intrigued
What type of contract are we looking at and what would be acceptable?
Signature space available for rent - Got to pay the bills somehow
by Buc Wild on Jan 27, 2010 5:08 PM EST via mobile reply actions
According to Sherman
At this point, sources say, Damon would consider a one-year contract in the $7 million range with deferred money. If he is willing to defer enough money to bring the actual current value of the contract down to the $4 million-$5 million range, the Rays would become more aggressive.
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jan 27, 2010 5:09 PM EST up reply actions
If he's upset enough, 4mil would be great.
Also, no state income tax now…
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jan 27, 2010 5:14 PM EST up reply actions
Would we want to go over 4 mil?
And what are the odds he gets downthat low without someone else sweeping him up
Signature space available for rent - Got to pay the bills somehow
by Buc Wild on Jan 27, 2010 5:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
From Red Sox to Yankees to....Rays?
the man loves the AL East
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
He'e the new Zaun.
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jan 27, 2010 5:13 PM EST up reply actions
If we can find some team to dump Burrell on
we can sign 2 out of the 4 (Damon, Hudson, Calero, Park)
I would go with Damon and Park but that will cost the most
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
If we could clone Longoria we'd have a team of all-stars.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 27, 2010 5:16 PM EST up reply actions
Also, leading the league in STDs.
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jan 27, 2010 5:18 PM EST up reply actions
This makes me think of the MSNBC dog wash video and the woman who showed him how to clear the dog's anal glands, then ask myself, "Did he hit that?"
I miss George Steinbrenner. He was the man responsible for keeping the Yankees competitive.
Only problem I could see in this
is Burrell would either be an 8 million dollar righty platoon guy, traded with the Rays probably picking up part of the tab, or released.
Not very efficient for a team that excels in roster and financial efficiency.
You're thinking so short-sighted though.
After this year, we’re going to have a lot less salary and we’ve got the best chance at making a run in the next 3 years right now. It’s extremely roster smart and financially efficient to gamble right now.
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jan 27, 2010 5:25 PM EST up reply actions
Yes
and for one year Damon makes all the sense in the world. I agree.
I was pointing out only one problem that I see in this thesis.
by FloridaownsFSU on Jan 27, 2010 5:30 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed; I'd be borderline shocked if they decided to cut Burrell; but I was given a reason to believe that he could be done for good the last time this came up, so I no longer consider it impossible.
I miss George Steinbrenner. He was the man responsible for keeping the Yankees competitive.
Sometimes you have to admit your mistake and move on
Burrell is a total failure and if he’s in that clubhouse again it won’t be good. 16 million down the drain but again let’s move on. Dump Burrell and sign Damon.
Prove he's a total failure.
I miss George Steinbrenner. He was the man responsible for keeping the Yankees competitive.
While you're at it, prove that if he's in that clubhouse again, that it won't be good.
I miss George Steinbrenner. He was the man responsible for keeping the Yankees competitive.
a five year old could show you what a bust he was
The guy didn’t hit one HR off a lefty in 2009. Many of his HR’s came in garbage time. He’s washed up and if you think he has anything left in him good luck.
Because one year makes a career. Good job. You should do work for ESPN.
I miss George Steinbrenner. He was the man responsible for keeping the Yankees competitive.
A hack from the NL in a homer ballpark and that fooled the Rays
The guy sucked in the WS except for one pitch from Howell. Pat is well past prime. Cut the losses and move on. NBC did the Rays can too.
Evan Longoria didn't do crap in the WS.
Let’s remove him like the Masturbating Bear.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 27, 2010 5:37 PM EST up reply actions
YOU BOTH LEAVE COCO OUT OF THIS.
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jan 27, 2010 5:37 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
So one season
out of many seasons Burrell has played has you convinced he’s done.
The perfect word to describe that is knee-jerk.
by FloridaownsFSU on Jan 27, 2010 5:34 PM EST up reply actions
Hey, he said that was analysis akin to a 5-year old. It makes perfect sense. If you're five years old.
I miss George Steinbrenner. He was the man responsible for keeping the Yankees competitive.
He was below average last year but still not a total loss.
His WAR for both 2009 and CHONE’s 2010 prediction has him at 4.1mil. His salary is 7mil. Not a total loss.
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jan 27, 2010 5:31 PM EST up reply actions
Burrell was worth 4.1 million in 2010?
According to what?
4.1mil combined WAR in 2009 and 2010's prediction.
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jan 27, 2010 5:33 PM EST up reply actions
Gomes isn't as bad as he was in 2008 or as good as he was in 2009.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 27, 2010 5:49 PM EST up reply actions
I know. I dont want Gomes.
I knew he’d do well in the ballpark in Cincy. Wish he could stay there.
He was an 09 failure
More often than not as I evidenced a week or two ago, those guys bounce back.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
Burrell is getting paid regardless.
Damon would be a one year deal. Both would be off the books after the year. Wouldnt hurt any future payroll.
www.draysbay.com, www.beyondtheboxscore.com, Twitter @trancel
by Tommy Rancel on Jan 27, 2010 5:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Friedman doesn't wipe his ass without a plan
If they are really going hard after Damon, I can definatley see a Burrell trade being discussed.
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
Could we really move Burrell without eating part of the money?
Signature space available for rent - Got to pay the bills somehow
by Buc Wild on Jan 27, 2010 5:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
If they could've, I think itd be done by now.
Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"
I agree
Maybe I’m wrong, but of we have to pay PtB anywyas, does it make more sense to have him on the roster in case he turns it around? There are times to pay someone to go away (Percy) but I don’t know if PtB is there yet
Signature space available for rent - Got to pay the bills somehow
by Buc Wild on Jan 27, 2010 6:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
It's not in the Rays' character to roll out a (possible) $13m DH platoon
But sometimes you just have to whip it out and aim for the uvula.
Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"
The prudent thing to do would be to start the year with both options
If the Bat busts, then its ok to cut bait.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
If you can't be efficient, be inefficiently talented
I could live with both Damon and PTB, but if the plan is to cut the Bat, barring something the Rays know that I don’t, I’d prefer to reallocate the extra funds elsewhere.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
And many Yankee fans couldn't stand ARod for years either
doesn’t make your feelings about Burrell particularly rational.
When did this hatred start, anyway?
by FloridaownsFSU on Jan 27, 2010 5:38 PM EST up reply actions
They hated AROD because he failed in the postseason
That the price you pay for being a superstar but things worked out in time. Please don’t compare Burrell to AROD.
I know how difficult it would to basically eat 9 million this year
but considering you have players like Pena, Crawford, Soriano all in one year or last year of contracts this year is too important to have a poor season at the DH spot.
Pretty much.
If you’re going to go in, go hard.
www.draysbay.com, www.beyondtheboxscore.com, Twitter @trancel
by Tommy Rancel on Jan 27, 2010 5:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
i totally agree
Hell if we can get Hudson and Damon i think we should
--Gerald Wallace is the best player the Bobcats will have..... EVER
--Someone should slap Larry Brown and bring him back to reality..
Given how our competition is lining up for 2010...
We need to do whatever we can to close the gap. Increase payroll another 6-7 (and fans show the f*ck up this year) and eat Burrell’s salary and this team is better, period.
by Jason Collette on Jan 27, 2010 5:55 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
hopefully crawford will resign with the rays. Then the team wouldn't loose nearly as much in 2011 as if he left next year i mean
--Gerald Wallace is the best player the Bobcats will have..... EVER
--Someone should slap Larry Brown and bring him back to reality..
I know PtB is one year left and Damon would presumably be the same
But would spending another 4-5 mil on Damon limit is elsewhere? Also, could it lead to a bulging payroll that caused us to dump salary sooner than normal? And if attendance doesn’t improve, does that change the argument or conclusions?
Signature space available for rent - Got to pay the bills somehow
by Buc Wild on Jan 27, 2010 6:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
If fans don't come to see this team, then we have bigger issues than $4-5M.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 27, 2010 6:01 PM EST up reply actions
I've got a good feeling about this year, m'laddycakes.
Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"
I'm not expecting much of a bump either way in attendance
but yeah this town should get excited over this team Damon or no Damon.
The town should've been excited
to watch the defending league champions last year. And yet there were still games against good teams that saw the stadium with fairly scattered attendances.
It’s pretty sad, all things considered. The Rays are one of the top 5 teams in baseball, and were top 5 entering last season as well.
by FloridaownsFSU on Jan 27, 2010 6:09 PM EST up reply actions
You can escape three factors when it comes to attendance
1. Economy here in Tampa Bay which is awful
2. Location of Trop, enough said
3. Out of town folks who love baseball but won’t convert to Rays
Time should solve all of the above. Hope Stu has the patience, I knwo I wouldn’t.
Sure, I just thought the payroll threshold was 65 mil
And were blowing past that
Signature space available for rent - Got to pay the bills somehow
by Buc Wild on Jan 27, 2010 6:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I know they've always had a $5M owner's exception pool for things like Sano.
Sternberg’s always held that he’d pay if it made sense.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 27, 2010 6:10 PM EST up reply actions
Pardon the ignorance
But what is Sano
Signature space available for rent - Got to pay the bills somehow
by Buc Wild on Jan 27, 2010 6:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Miguel Angel Sano
Dominican prospect from last year who didn’t sign until late because of an age discrepancy issue.
Shocking, I know.
by FloridaownsFSU on Jan 27, 2010 6:22 PM EST up reply actions
It has been written by many that the payroll for 2011 could be lower than 2010
If fact I’m pretty sure it will be. Crawford, Pena, Burrell, Soriano, Balfour and possibly Wheeler represent over 40 million. You could add Navarro, and Barltlett as well. It’s not out of the question the Rays might have a 50 million dollar payroll in 2011 so what I’m saying is you have 2011 bucks spent in 2010.
Right. But that's a lot more questions for 2011.
We have the best chance with the most amount of proven talent this year. With so many questions next year, we can’t afford to not make a push for October this year.
Sign lady must die.
by EminenceFront on Jan 27, 2010 6:27 PM EST up reply actions
Another option would be
to sign Damon and trade Crawford. Put Damon in LF and in the #2 slot. Burrell stays at DH, the Rays save some money and receive a good return for Crawford while maintaining a solid lineup and downgrading defense at one of the less significant positions in the field. If Damon doesn’t work out or fades, Jennings is up by mid-year or one of the other outfield options is used.
I don't this this really improves the team in 2010
CC for Damon is a drop off of about 2 WAR so you’d have to replace that. Sure you’d get the return from CC, but that’s likely in the form of prospects which wouldn’t help this season.
Looking at the positions to make up the 2 WAR, catcher and DH standout, but you’d have to spend money to acquire those or do so via another trade.
It seems like a lot of work to break even.
www.draysbay.com, www.beyondtheboxscore.com, Twitter @trancel
by Tommy Rancel on Jan 27, 2010 9:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Are the Rays really in on everybody
or are these places just trying to start rumors?I prefer Damon over Hudson of course the main prob is dealing Burrell, I mean what AL team needs a DH, unless an NL team wants him at first.And it’s not like we really need any more spects(but a good hitter with some power would be nice).
the question master
We aren't dealing Burrell w/o eating a large chunk of that salary
Damon would seem to fit more than Thome cause he can play the field, but it’s being reported he still wants $7mm
Well I knew we would end up payin most of Burrell's contract if we traded him
One question from me is who might be a taker?
the question master
by thedudeofdudes on Jan 27, 2010 7:45 PM EST up reply actions
Just because he wants 7 million doesn't mean he'll get it
but to keep the man happy maybe it’s worth it. I’d rather Damon come here happy than kicking and screaming but again it’s not my money. I guess sign lady and fat sign guy renewed their season tickets.
OT: Neat Article
Official head of the Eric Berry bandwagon.
Buc'em- Your source for everything buccaneer.
MLB doesn't care
Yeah you could have the Red Sox and Yankees on ESPN every Sunday night and as long as the league makes money they’ll wink and say thank you.
I'd opt for Damon at leadoff
between the two.
Track record.
by FloridaownsFSU on Jan 27, 2010 8:34 PM EST up reply actions
Late to the party
Don’t wanna see Damon here. Like Brick, I think he and Burrell would be roughly equal.
Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com
Damon vs Winn
Randy Winn’s signing with the NYY triggered this speculation about Damon. Keep this in mind; Damon benefited greatly at the new stadium and Winn suffered at his home park in SF. Look at their road numbers:
Winn .295/.345/.404
Damon .284/.349/.446
The market determined that Winn is worth $2M and he is an outfielder too. I suggest a contract heavily deferred if Damon is offered much more than $2M.
Don’t be fooled again by another old OF who can’t field (or hit).
by kimo from kauai on Jan 27, 2010 10:07 PM EST reply actions
Apparently I will have to bark the small sample size tree again.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 27, 2010 10:15 PM EST up reply actions
Fair enough
Just don’t be surprised if Damon becomes the 2010 version of the 2009 Burrell.
by kimo from kauai on Jan 27, 2010 10:52 PM EST up reply actions
also a small sample
During the past 3 years Damon has hit .255/.325/.392 in Tampa
by kimo from kauai on Jan 27, 2010 10:58 PM EST reply actions
hmm where did I hear this very idea presented
http://www.draysbay.com/2010/1/26/1271562/report-tampa-bay-rays-in-on#29591453
Oh yeah, if you’re looking for a bat you could do much worse. I’d prefer to keep PtB at least to see how he does. If you’re planning to cut bait at least wait until he gets off to an awful start and then do so.
I'm a writer.
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 28, 2010 12:24 AM EST reply actions
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