The 2010 Roster: An Early Look
by BWoodrum on Feb 17, 2010 10:21 PM EST
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PrintOkay, first of all: I'm not trying to make bold predictions or outrageous claims -- or frankly any claims at all. I'm just trying to mentally hammer out the situation at hand with the 2010 roster. This sort of came about after reading RJ's (first) post about the bullpen. In it, he supposes the final set up to look like this:
LR Cormier
MR Benoit
MR Choate
MR Wheeler
SU Balfour
SU Howell
CP Soriano
In such case, the Rays will carry 12 pitchers and 12 position players plus BZA, who classifies as "Undefined." On the other hand, many DRBer's and even MLB.com's Bill Chastain believes Benoit's spot goes to Sonnanstine. Either way, how does the rest shake down?
Follow the jump and we'll explore this issue...
Well, here's what we know. We have several players out of options:
Aybar*
Bartlett*
Cormier*
Howell*
Johnson
Johnson
Niemann*
* These guys aren't going anywhere.
So is this how the roster shakes out?
#1 James Shields
#2 Matt Garza
#3 Jeff Niemann
#4 David Price
#5 Wade Davis
LR Lance Cormier
MR Joaquin Benoit or Andy Sonnanstine
MR Randy Choate
MR Dan Wheeler
SU Grant Balfour
SU J.P. Howell
CP Rafael Soriano
C Kelly Shoppach
1B Carlos Pena
2B Ben Zobrist
SS Jason Bartlett
3B Evan Longoria
LF Carl Crawford
CF B.J. Upton
RF Matt Joyce
DH Pat Burrell
Last 4 spots:
1 Gabe Kaplar*
2 Dioner Navarro*
3 Willy Aybar*
4 ?
* Given.
Is this how it's going to look, barring injury? What are your thoughts on the last roster spot? Does our beloved Elliot Johnson finally stick on the roster to back up the middle infield? What of: Dan Johnson, Joe Dillon, Reid Brignac, or a possible FA yet to come (Russell Branyan? Carlos Delgado?)?
This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.
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Need more Sean Rodriguez
www.draysbay.com, www.beyondtheboxscore.com, Twitter @trancel
by Tommy Rancel on Feb 17, 2010 10:48 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I knew there was a name I was missing.
What are the chances that the Rays let S-Rod percolate in AAA and let Johnson play the Joe Dillon Sitting Game for a while with the big boys? I think it’s possible that it’s more possible than we might possibly expect.
on Twitter @BradleyWoodrum and @CubsStats23
It will be Sean Rodriguez vs Reid Brignac
And Benoit vs Sonnanstine as the only battles me thinks.
Good bye Mr. Spring, Elliot Johnson and most like Mr “Screw you Papelbon!” Dan Johnson. Last spot is S-Rod or Brignac unless Rays sign a hitter.
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
oh and the other battle, I really hope Benoit shows why he was a target of many of us. Be awesome!
If not, please get your skills back, Andy.
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
I hope Benoit wins the job and either Dillon or E. Johnson get kept as the 25th man
S. Rod and Brignac should be allowed to get at bats if they aren’t going to be used at the major league level, and Sonny should be kept starting for the time being, at least until Benoit shows he isn’t capable, because completley changing his path at this point may be a bit premature.
That being said, I’m a well known Sonny apologist (so my opinion should be taken with a grain of salt), but he did look good in Durham, and I think some of what he had in 07 and 08 is there if he fixes some problems with his curveball that arose when it gained velocity and break and if he reverts to his older pitch usages, maybe even throwing more breaking pitches in general as neither of his fastballs are really any good.
God do I feel we messed up as we had the opportunity to make a few moves, as in not the ones we made.
I would prefer your roster set up, too, I think.
Although, I’d like to have EJ up just in case he makes a few web gems (suddenly his value increases). I feel like Dillon is more of a known commodity at this time.
Also, I prefer the idea of our two young guys, S-Rod & Briggy, continuing to receive full time work, maybe until an injury or something.
on Twitter @BradleyWoodrum and @CubsStats23
Relative no
I don’t think he’s the right guy for the spot, just that he has a skill.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
I don't think the opportunity cost of a final bat off the bench who can't hit is worth it
Or who can’t at least do SOMETHING others on the team can’t already do.
Part of the problem is that we already know Maddon won’t just let someone sit on the bench. If someone’s on the bench, he’s starting twice a week. I’d rather have someone who at least has a chance to bring something to the table (Rodriguez, D. Johnson or, another name not mentioned, Nando) sitting on the bench so that I don’t get a sinking pit in my stomach every time it’s that person’s turn to start.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Joe Dillon.
Living proof that Maddon will happily let a man die of boredom on the pine.
I think you just got Friedman’d.
on Twitter @BradleyWoodrum and @CubsStats23
I thought
Brignac was out of options. How many does he have left?
I don't know, but at least one
because he’s on MLBTR’s list (above).
on Twitter @BradleyWoodrum and @CubsStats23
I believe EJ is the only one out of options
Dillon is on a minor league deal. Shoppach was a major score since Talbot was out of options too.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
by FreeZorilla on Feb 18, 2010 10:37 AM EST up reply actions
Out of options list:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/02/out-of-options-2010.html
on Twitter @BradleyWoodrum and @CubsStats23
Sure, I meant out of the players who were trapped in Durham
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
by FreeZorilla on Feb 18, 2010 10:55 AM EST up reply actions
I like Talbot
It would have been almost impossible to keep him so the move is understandable, but I think the Indians got someone who can make that team better
Shop-Vac
Oh definitely. It was not a zero-sum trade. But still...
on Twitter @BradleyWoodrum and @CubsStats23
by BWoodrum on Feb 18, 2010 12:02 PM EST up reply actions 7 recs
Awesome picture
Why does this have more recs?
I especially like the really small “pwnd” by his left cheek. Epic.
I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously.
by Steve Slowinski on Feb 23, 2010 12:59 AM EST up reply actions
doesn't*
I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously.
by Steve Slowinski on Feb 23, 2010 12:59 AM EST up reply actions
Bah, I really like Talbot and I think that we wont be able to keep Garza for long
I wouldn’t have minded heavily testing the waters with Garza and trying Talbot in the 5th role. If he didn’t pan out then you could’ve re-inserted Sonnanstine.
Jeremy Hellickson right now is better than Talbot and Sonnanstine
Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com
by Imperialism32 on Feb 18, 2010 2:58 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
I don't know about that
regardless, I would rather see Hellickson get more time.
by Navi's_Navy on Feb 19, 2010 11:16 AM EST up reply actions
I agree, he needs to pass the Deezy test
The Deezy is having a completely injury-free year of baller status. I like my pitchers to get a ton of innings in the minors so that they can learn the mental game as much as stretch their arms out to be ready to go 170+ in their rookie seasons. I look at the handling of Wade Davis as a model that should be employed across the board. Perhaps I am alone on this, and there is always the thought that if you’re going to get an injury eventually you might as well squeeze water from the stone first, but I don’t think people grasp the mental side that must be learned by being in every possible situation over-and-over. My best case for Narwhal is replicating David Price’s ascent in late ’08.
Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Feb 19, 2010 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
Davis is a bit of a workhorse, though, so it's hard to hold all pitchers to his standard.
I do agree that I like how we take it slow w/ pitching prospects.
This. Patience is a virtue.
The way Davis has been controlled in the minors deserves a lot of credit. With constant talk of how rookie pitchers are going to struggle handling the switch to the MLB in terms of endurance, mentally and physically, in addition to the quality of the opposition, Davis is as prepared as it gets (as proven by his showing late last year).
The importance of logging in high innings totals in the minors cannot be underestimated. Natural work horse or not, the Rays ensured that Davis arrived at the majors that way. Time and time again, the Rays have shown the notion of not rush their pitching prospects unnecessarily, and this ethos has proven dividends.
Thats a horrible post
How could you go into this season with any confidence when you have 3 Rookie pitchers in your rotation. Garza is arguably our Ace no matter what kind of trade value he could have. We have him signed til 2013 for minimal money, now after that we have a huge decision to make. But Shoppach is a big addition to this team and he can hit 20 /80 /.275 at the bottom of our order
Just got done talking this through with my Dad.
Ideal:
C Shoppach
1B Pena
2B Zob
3B Longo
SS Bartlett
LF CC
CF BJ
RF Joyce
DH Burrell
B Branyan (DH platoon, spell 1B)
B Aybar (IF backup)
B Kapler (4th OF)
B Navi
SP Shields
SP Garza
SP Price
SP Niemann
SP Davis
CL Soriano
SU Howell
SU Park
MR Balfour
MR Wheeler
LOOGY Choate
LR Cormier
Likely Outcome:
C Shoppach
1B Pena
2B Zob
3B Longo
SS Bartlett
LF CC
CF BJ
RF Joyce
DH Burrell
B S. Rodriguez
B Aybar
B Kapler
B Navi
SP Shields
SP Garza
SP Price
SP Niemann
SP Davis
CL Soriano
SU Howell
SU Balfour
MR Benoit (if stuff is back) otherwise Abreu, Thayer, etc.
MR Wheeler
LOOGY Choate
LR Cormier
A few notes:
Sonny in Durham waiting for injury. After arb-2 deadline, Hellboy will get call assuming he’s effective. I’m watching for Alex Torres to be in the Rays BP at some point this year. I think that’s his ultimate destination with this team. McGee may be at some point as well. SO MUCH pitching depth it’s redic. That’s one reason I see Sonny starting in DUR and staying there; less immidiate depth there, and it preserves his value.
Can the season start already?
Did anyone really think this thread could go on and me not express my love for EJ
If Johnson has a good spring I would much rather have him wasting away as the 25th man than Brignac/Rodriguez, unless one of those guys wins at least a platoon spot at 2B. Elliot Johnson can play all 8 positions in the field (has been an emergency catcher, but I don’t think has ever played in a game there). He is a switch hitter and can be used as a pinch runner as well. I’m not saying the guy should start or even really get any playing time, but he is a pretty good guy to have on the bench in case of and emergency.
E.J. going 'bat out of hell' in spring training.
The Elliot Johnson situation has progressed steadily this off-season in my thinking. Following the trade of Talbot to the Indians, I initially thought that the best (and used) scenario of the Rays would be to DFA the option-less E.J. after spring training in the hope he wouldn’t be claimed off waivers, and thus, stored away for emergencies at Durham. However, with Maddon’s obvious appreciation of the super utility guy, it would seem that E. J. has a genuine chance of making the 25 man roster, at least initially as a test. If it doesn’t work out, either S. Rodriguez or Brignac can be brought into the fold.
E. J. would really have to impress this spring in order to get that 25th spot, but the Rays could see some real value in doing so and utilizing S.Rod/Brignac’s remaining options. If E. J. provides proven value at the MLB level as a backup guy in terms of defence/pinch running, he at least re-establishes himself as a trading commodity this season.
However, with this year being the ‘all guns blazing’ post-season chase before the notable free agents move on, It seems more likely that S. Rod receives the backup spot and E. J. gets traded during spring training or DFA’d to Durham.
This also.
Although, I can easily see the team store S-Rod/Briggy in the minors for their own sake, much like they did with Longo a la 2008. We, the fans, sure didn’t like it, but it was the right move.
on Twitter @BradleyWoodrum and @CubsStats23
Now that Branyan is a Indian
I expect the Rays to go after Park. Calero can prob be had on a minor league deal. As far as EJ, he is gone as soon as ST ends.
My projected 25 man out of ST
1. Jason Bartlett
2. Ben Zobrist
3. Evan Longoria
4. Carlos Pena
5. Kelly Shoppach
6. Dioner Navarro (Bench spot #1)
7. Carl Crawford
8. B.J Upton
9. Matt Joyce
10. Pat Burrell
11. Gabe Kapler (Bench spot #2)
12. Willy Aybar (Bench spot #3)
13. Sean Rodriguez (Will win the 4th bench spot, he can be a super sub, Brignac is more of a starter waiting for a injury or a slump)
14. James Shields
15. Matt Garza
16. David Price
17. Jeff Niemann
18. Wade Davis
19. Rafael Soriano
20. J.P Howell
21. Dan Wheeler
22. Grant Balfour
23. Lance Cormier
24. Randy Choate
25. Joquain Benoit (Sonny will be a AAA SP in case of injury)
Of course, if we get Park, he can take Benoit’s spot.
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
I don't understand the interest in Park.
Is he going to be that much better than Benoit or Sonny that we need to waste money on him. It isn’t like depth is a problem. We are talking about the last bullpen spot, worst case scenario. Sonny and Benoit get hurt we still have Thayer in AAA, and if he gets hurt, we could always use Hellickson or Mcgee.
If added to our roster, Park would be the second or third
best reliever on the team. In a division where we are desperate for adding just one win, adding Park could add two. Also, you can never have too much pitching depth when you have plenty of options.
on Twitter @BradleyWoodrum and @CubsStats23
What excites me about our pen is the fact that Park may be the worst of the 7
Personally I would rather see Soriano, Howell, Balfour, Wheeler(ok this is a close one) and Cormier warming up and if he is kept to his specialty, I would trust Choate more also. At best, he could perform like our 3rd best RP but I think with this group of guys he would be 6th or 7th best as will Benoit.
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
Park signs with Yanks, Lets roll with Ekstrom
If Benoit isn’t ready to be big-time again, I say we give waiver claim Mike Ekstrom a shot at the final pen spot. I mean, he can’t be worse than Balfour!
Shirley, you are joking
If Ekstrom is better than Balfour then we are in a lot of trouble. Balf is boss, Ekstrom is meat.
Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Feb 24, 2010 1:29 PM EST up reply actions
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