Tampa Bay Rays Sign Hank Blalock To Minor-League Deal
by Tommy Rancel on Mar 8, 2010 9:35 PM EST
210 comments
As expected, the Rays and Hank Blalock agreed on a minor league deal. Jon Heyman reports the deal is worth $925k with an additional $400k $325k in incentives. I got word around 9pm tonight that things were nearly done, and less than an hour later here we are.
Like some other major league veterans, I'm expecting there to be some language in the contract that would allow him to be come a free agent if he's not on the major league roster by a certain date, if not opening day.
Blalock closes an offseason long search for a left-handed bat after rumored attempts at Johnny Damon, Jim Thome and Russell Branyan came up empty. While Blalock looks like the teams 4th choice, he ultimately comes at the lowest price. Should things work out as planned and he becomes a successful player, the Rays will be on the hook for $1.25 million dollars. He would roughly need to be a 0.3 WAR to "earn" that.
In 495 plate appearances last season, Blalock hit .234/.277/.459 with 25 home runs and 21 doubles. The on-base percentage is ugly, but his batting average on balls in play (BABIP) of .249 is due for some regression(.296 career). It would be nice if he raised his 5.3% walk rate towards his career level of 8.0%; any little bit helps.
His power is real and his ISO (Isolated power, slugging minus batting average) has topped .220 in each of the last three seasons ,and five out of the last seven. He joins Ben Zobrist, Carlos Pena and Matt Joyce as a masher from the left side.
Defensively, he is no longer considered a third basemen and is now a first basemen/DH. If he makes the team, I'd assume most of his at-bats would come in the DH role since we have a pretty good left-handed hitter at first already. Many will speculate that this move means Carlos Pena's days are numbered, but we already knew this.
While it would be nice for Blalock to be his replacement, I'd take the next Eric Hinske or Ty Wigginton for the price.
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P BRADY IS ALIVE.
Continuing head of the Eric Berry and Puffy Rod bandwagon.
New head of the Matthew Barnaby Bandwagon!!!
by Some other guy who does not care on Mar 9, 2010 4:17 PM EST up reply actions
I actually like this better than Branyan
He should be strictly insurance for Burrell and maybe at 1B if Pena goes down
Still don't get it, but whatever
I know it’s a minor-league deal, but 900k is 900k for a guy who doesn’t have a spot.
Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com
Got to believe if Blalock is healthy
he sticks over Dan Johnson. Seems to indicate that S Rod and Brignac have an even tougher climb to the roster. Or a trade to clear space.
by nyyfaninlaaland on Mar 8, 2010 9:56 PM EST up reply actions
Rodriguez will make the team. He just has to prove to Maddon that he's average at SS to do that.
www.draysbay.com, www.bloombergsports.mlblogs.com, Twitter @trancel
In that case neither Johnson or Blalock is making the roster
Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com
by Imperialism32 on Mar 8, 2010 10:05 PM EST up reply actions
He's certainly earning it so far.
I’m just counting heads and wondering.
C- Navi, Shoppach
IF – Pena, Zobrist, Barty, Longo
OF – CC, BJ, Kapler(platoon)
DH – PtB
Bench – Aybar, Joyce(platoon), Blalock or Johnson, S Rod
That’s 14 guys with likely 13 spots.
by nyyfaninlaaland on Mar 8, 2010 10:06 PM EST up reply actions
Kapler
I don’t see the value he adds. Why couldn’t SRod platoon in RF if we needed a RH bat there?
by Pinto on Mar 9, 2010 9:27 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Backup CF
LHP masher
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
I guess
but Joyce can backup in CF if need be. And I would think Aybar could fill the role of LHP specialist. I’d rather see the youngsters on the team than someone like Kapler. JMHO
i agree I din't really like the Kapler resigning
--Gerald Wallace is the best player the Bobcats will have..... EVER
I find it very unlikely that Sean Rodriguez is an average ML SS.
Serviceable for a short period of time, but not average.
Tools Whore
I mean average for a game a week or less
www.draysbay.com, www.bloombergsports.mlblogs.com, Twitter @trancel
by Tommy Rancel on Mar 9, 2010 7:31 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
i don't think hisd inability to play SS
will keep him off the team. If Bartlett goes down Zobrist is serviceable for a game and Briggy is just a plane ride away.
by free hotdogs on Mar 8, 2010 11:11 PM EST up reply actions
Assuming he's good and re-signs at some point. He's a FA after the season.
www.draysbay.com, www.beyondtheboxscore.com, Twitter @trancel
Beat me to it.
And sorry, but it’s hard for me to see Blalock as a replacemnet for Pena.
by nyyfaninlaaland on Mar 8, 2010 9:57 PM EST up reply actions
Do me a personal favor. Next time you're on with Duemig, tell him he's a know nothing fuck when it comes to baseball
Today he called Maddon a “joke” and w/o naming names, said it was well known among “real” baseball people
by sternfan1 on Mar 8, 2010 10:00 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I heard that
Changed the channel immediately. Sometimes I give him a chance… I’m in outside sales so I’m in my car all day and I get incredibly bored.
He makes me almost literally ill.
Dan Sileo is worse
This morning he was arguing that the closer is the most important pitcher on a team, and that Price needs to be the Rays closer.
I did same thing.
Most talk radio sucks, but Sileo seems to be the cream of the crop in that regards.
Not to say I'm opposed to the deal
I’d say it’s a solid move.
by nyyfaninlaaland on Mar 8, 2010 10:01 PM EST up reply actions
Blalock and Aybar would be an interesting platoon assuming both are back in 2011
www.draysbay.com, www.bloombergsports.mlblogs.com, Twitter @trancel
by Tommy Rancel on Mar 8, 2010 10:03 PM EST up reply actions
Perhaps
but I wouldn’t call it an improvement.
by nyyfaninlaaland on Mar 8, 2010 10:08 PM EST up reply actions
With 11 pitchers
Longo, Bartty, Zo, Los, PTB, Willy, SHoppach, Navi, CC, BJ, Joyce, StB, Gabe, Hank
The Rays didn't carry only 11 pitchers at virtually any point last season
nor did hardly any other team, with the occassional exception of the Angels.
by nyyfaninlaaland on Mar 8, 2010 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
You're probably right
I’m guessing he starts the year in AAA and/or Willy or someone else is on the DL
StB needs to be on this club from Fay 1
They did almost all year in 2008 though
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
If there's a date stipulated it gives time for the Rays to properly assess a PTB bounceback with an insurance policy
If Burrell is fine, they could ship off Blalock prior to the date. The deal pays Blalock like a major leaguer and gives him a stage to showcase his bat for other teams.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
Speaking of FA that have little prospects
What’s going on with Washburn?
PIZZA?!?
Very OT
but what exactly is your avatar picture. I have an idea but I wanna know whats on the box if you don’t mind
From Yer Scurvy Dog SRQman
I'd have to say that's a 40lb box of rape.
"Sure, because of the "cold weather" and rain." More bait and switch tactics by the New York owners of this team." --NikoHoullis, the lead blogger at Buc'em on racial and anti-semitic insensitivity.
There is a dude inside my box
hint, hint
rzar.wordpress.com
draysbay.com
raysprospects.com
by RZ on Mar 8, 2010 11:52 PM EST up reply actions
It's so heartwarming that the Rays
Are doing their part and thinking about the free agents. But there are many more that need a good home. Maybe they can do more. It’d make for a very happy Christmas.
"Sure, because of the "cold weather" and rain." More bait and switch tactics by the New York owners of this team." --NikoHoullis, the lead blogger at Buc'em on racial and anti-semitic insensitivity.
Low risk signing...
That provides insurance if Aybar starts the yr on the DL, Pena gets injured, or can get some ab’s at DH.
Too bad he can't catch.
Nice signing, I like that we’re willing to negotiate with players to get something solid for both sides.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 8, 2010 11:52 PM EST reply actions
Who plays 1B at Durham this year?
I can`t see more than two between Dan Johnson, Ryan Shealy, Chris Richard and Hank Blalock being on the AAA roster.
How can you have any pudding if you haven`t eaten your meat? I`m still waiting...
by Barnese and Bailey Circus on Mar 9, 2010 3:01 AM EST reply actions
I am calling it.
Richard retires and becomes a coach… I would take Shealy @ first, Blalock at third, and Johnson to DH.
Blah!
by thebaddancingraysfan on Mar 9, 2010 7:59 AM EST up reply actions
Jennings, Perez, Ruggs and Eldridge I would guess.
Maybe Eldridge is a stretch but I don`t see any PT available in the OF.
How can you have any pudding if you haven`t eaten your meat? I`m still waiting...
by Barnese and Bailey Circus on Mar 9, 2010 10:11 AM EST up reply actions
Nice sign.
I like it. Good luck. Welcome to the Tampa Bay One Horses…
Blah!
by thebaddancingraysfan on Mar 9, 2010 8:00 AM EST reply actions
Per TBO Rays
This was his only offer. April 1st is the opt-out date
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
So he's Aybar insurance?
Unless they plan on starting Aybar out in AAA (or releasing Burrell) he’ll likely not be here come 4/1.
Aybar can't play in AAA
Unless its a rehab assignment. He has been out of options since we got him (which is one of the reasons we got him). I’m not sure what they are going to do with Blalock, but then again I had no idea what they planned on doing with Dan Johnson. And Blalock is clearly > Dan Johnson.
Is it really that clear?
The last three seasons where he played more than a half season, Blalock ended the year with an OPS around .740.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Fair enough
But Blalock is a year younger than Johnson, and there has to be a good reason Johnson has never seen more than 416 ABs in a season, and only more than 400 the once.
If this was his only offer
Then why would he opt out? Unless he smashes the ball in the spring, nothing will have changed and nobody will want him still. At least if he stays, he’ll get his prorated portion of $925k if he makes the major league club at some point.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Yes
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
The Rays don't work that way
They don’t have a budget that they’ll spend. They identify what they think a player is valued at and will pay that amount of money. That means they weren’t willing to pay above that for LeVon Washington, and that sucks. But it also means that Rafael Soriano is our closer this year. He was not in any sort of hypothetical budget (“there’s no $7MM closer coming”), but they identified a guy that they could get for value. You can agree or disagree with the mindset or the evaluations, but it doesn’t make sense to praise them for doing it in one situation and criticize them for doing it in another.
Nice rationalization of the "$7M closer" line. I didn't think about it like that.
"Sure, because of the "cold weather" and rain." More bait and switch tactics by the New York owners of this team." --NikoHoullis, the lead blogger at Buc'em on racial and anti-semitic insensitivity.
You can agree or disagree with the mindset or the evaluations, but it doesn’t make sense to praise them for doing it in one situation and criticize them for doing it in another.
I think this was a signing with little upside. I think the LeVon signing would have had more. I’m not criticizing their willingness to “think outside the budget,” but I’d be shocked if we get more return from Blalock on this deal than we would have had we ponied up for LeVon.
Is there any thought on drawing a line in the sand so that future agents know that we stick with what we say?
Levon had virtually no leverage once he flunked out of UF. The process was correct in this case, in my opinion.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:01 AM EST up reply actions
If they only had x dollars to spend and it allowed them to get Glaes, Bailey, et al. then I'm very psyched
I don’t see Levon being much more than a burner, how many Shawn O’Malley’s do we need. If the pick kept him away from another team then great. We got who we wanted and kept a touted prospect away from another team.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
We also kept a good prospect out of our own system to draft a guy to keep him away.
LeVon is probably closer to CC than O’Malley.
Based on what? I can play that game
LeVon is more like Joey Gathright than he is like Craw.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:12 AM EST up reply actions
He's more like Fernando Perez than he is like Craw.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
He's more like Willy Taveres than he is like Craw
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
He's more like Rajai Davis than he is like Craw
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
Shawn O'Malley was a 5th round pick that got a bonus of 200k.
CC was a 2nd round pick that got 1.25 mill.
Who is more similar?
Skill set, who cares about the dough,
One guy was drafted in 1999 the other in 2009, it’s apples to oranges.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
ummmm
Both are fast MIF. One was considered a first round talent one wasn’t. I think he’s more comparable to Jimmy Rollins.
Except Rollins can play a mean SS and Levon was already being talked about moving to CF
We’ll see in a few years as he’s draft eligible this year. My money is on us never hearing of him again.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
He is predicted to be a mid first rounder this year by BA
It will be interesting to see what kind of year he has in JC.
It looks like a mirac
I hope he Roethlisbergers some chick and gets kicked off the campus
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
He had an arm injury.
They were unsure how he’d recover. Like everyone’s fav catcher he fell because of an injury. He was in the 90s prior to the injury.
The 1990's? Did he fall into a Hot Tub Time Machine?
Are you going to send me an invite for this fantasy league or what?
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:31 AM EST up reply actions
Oh, how the hell do you even know
Kid will probably be a top 15 draft pick this year. Players don’t get drafted that high if teams think their upside is Joey Gathright or Rajai Davis.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Teams don't know actual upside just what they project
I would think his actual upside would be closer to the burners than to the quality.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
Based on your intensive scouting of him?
He’s a high upside-high risk player. Generally that’s the kind of prospect you want to end up with if you have a late 1st round draft pick.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
You misunderstand
You do not have all the information. Neither do I, but I’m well aware that there were additional factors that are not disclosed publicly. Maybe they should have picked differently, but this is not a black and white situation.
Oh boy, you had to bring up black and white
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
by FreeZorilla on Mar 9, 2010 11:11 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
But let me see if I can get back to my point
(work with me on timing)
Blalock signed for $925k. The offer to LWashington was $1.1M, for a total of $2.025M. If Levon Washington was valued at $2.025M, internally and they signed him for that, it has NO BEARING on whether or not they then turn around and sign Blalock for the $925k. These are not intertwined events. They didn’t offer LeVon Washington more money because they didn’t value him for that much. Maybe they should have had a better perception of what he was willing to sign for, but that’s a completely different issue.
That's my point.
I’m not saying they had to choose. Of course they didn’t. I’m wondering why waste this money on a guy who’s fairly redundant with little upside. I bring up LeVon because GOING FORWARD I’d rather they had stashed that 900k in a CD and given it to someone this coming June when we have umpteen million early picks. They better not go signability or not sign any.
CD's are at like 1% right now, it wouldn't even be worth the ink on the contract.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:22 AM EST up reply actions
I only bring it up because I just looked into putting my Fantasy League Fees into a 6 month note
and it would have come out to like $1.83, I was hoping to have some real interest.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
I'm not sure I can make it more clear
So I’ll stop after this.
They don’t have a budget. They offer what they think is appropriate compensation for a player based on his value. Blalock signing or not signing has no impact on what they spend in the draft next year, or what they spend at the deadline this year, or anything else.
I don't think you understand what I'm saying.
They misjudged on LeVon. Either they were offbase in drafting him or they were off base in not paying him.
I think they’re making a mistake here. I think it’s a waste of resources. There are a set number of resources. I’d rather they spent their resources differently.
You can there is no budget until you’re blue in the face, but it isn’t the case. There’s a finite number of resources and roster spots. There is an oppurtunity cost in spending on Blalock. There’s no denying it.
Didn't they pretty much have a deal before the draft?
Then depending on who you believe either the LeVon camp or the Rays backed out and wanted more money or pay less money?
One more year Brett. One more year.
by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Mar 9, 2010 11:51 AM EST up reply actions
So, you could say they didn't misjudge then, right?
They had a value on him and knew what they were willing to pay. LeVon camp was willing to take that. No brainer, right?
I guess you always have to plan on someone backing out but it seems as if it was clear cut and locked down when the pick was made.
One more year Brett. One more year.
by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Mar 9, 2010 11:54 AM EST up reply actions
I should also add I have a REALLY hard time seeing this FO
going back on their word when it comes to something like that. IMHO.
One more year Brett. One more year.
by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Mar 9, 2010 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
Especially after the Kennedy stuff.
Doesn’t seem to fit their strong record of dealing with humans.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 9, 2010 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
HAVE NOT WATCHED.
One more year Brett. One more year.
by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Mar 9, 2010 11:57 AM EST up reply actions
The new ones have already started?
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
Right but one has nothing to do with the other
You can dislike the Blalock signing. It has no more to do with Lavon than it does with the price of opening day tickets
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
Couldn't you argue he had more leverage once he fluked out of UF?
Draft eligibe the next year is high leverage, no?
One more year Brett. One more year.
by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Mar 9, 2010 11:34 AM EST up reply actions
Interesting.
What has more risk:
- Playing three good years at UF
or
- Playing one good year at a JuCo
His health comes into play, but so does competition levels. I’d say the latter might be less risky, but maybe not.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 9, 2010 11:38 AM EST up reply actions
Provided he goes out and performs.
He could have hid a bad year at UF since he couldn’t be drafted for 3 years, now he needs to go out and perform (coming off a shoulder injury) as his draft position depends on it.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:38 AM EST up reply actions
KLAW pimps the JUCO route hard for High School arms.
I tend to agree as they’re over worked and abused beyond belief in the NCAA. Plus it allows them to go year-to-year.
As for LeVon, his arm was the major question, right? So if he had a so-so year with the bat but proved he could still throw with some zip, then I’d assume he’d go higher this year.
One more year Brett. One more year.
by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Mar 9, 2010 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
This is a good point.
If he bombs this year, he could always come back for another, or just transfer to a college that will bend the academics for him.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 9, 2010 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
It's really not all that different from Pena's initial signing
Pena walks way more than he used to and has a negative UZR for his career at 1B. I’m only challenging the comment about little upside
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
We spent $7M on a closer and this is the move that makes you wish we spent the money elsewhere?
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 9, 2010 10:39 AM EST up reply actions
I just don't see him providing much of anything.
He’s oft-injured, he’s a hacker, he can’t field, his good years were in a bandbox, etc.
I’d rather have no Krapler and no Blalock and allocate those funds elsewhere.
The reason it comes back to LeVon is more about the fact that last year’s draft is the only real black mark on this FO. I still just don’t get how you don’t sign your first and second rounder (especially considering the fact that they were seemingly so close on LeVon).
I understand.
I’m just saying, it seems odd to say “Why are we spending this much money on this guy?” when it’s $900K. If he gets like 300 PA versus righties he’ll be worth the cash easily. He’s like a lesser Eric Hinske who can’t play the outfield.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 9, 2010 10:51 AM EST up reply actions
So we're platooning DH and RF?
That really hurts roster flexibility. What do we do with Aybar? I just don’t see a whole lot of upside.
Aybar DL?
Exploring trade scenarios of either Kapler, Aybar, or Blalock?
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
or maybe they are unsettled on Burrell and will use spring to evaluate
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
This is why I wish the opt-out was more like June.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
I bet that's what happens.
"Sure, because of the "cold weather" and rain." More bait and switch tactics by the New York owners of this team." --NikoHoullis, the lead blogger at Buc'em on racial and anti-semitic insensitivity.
Is trading Blaylock really an option?
Teams just passed on him in free agency, why would they now part with prospects/players for him? Maybe if he comes out and has a monster start, but a trade involving him seems unlikely.
They could do a firesale
Take some minor-leaguer with no upside in return just to dump his salary to a team that has an injury arise. In the meantime he serves as 30 day term insurance.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:24 AM EST up reply actions
Not trading Blalock
Trading Pena (who’s in the last year of his contract) or trading Aybar (who will be two years deep into arbitration next year).
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
could we trade Aybar and attempt to resign Pena if he takes a paycut
--Gerald Wallace is the best player the Bobcats will have..... EVER
I doubt he's on the opening day roster unless Aybar's wrist is an issue.
The opt-out date is three weeks away and he’s yet to take an at-bat this spring. If this were a June opt-out I’d be more concerned.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 9, 2010 10:59 AM EST up reply actions
Also I would note that a lot of the Rays minor league deals have opt-outs included.
I think Kennedy’s did, and I know Abreu’s did. He was actually called up two days before he could opt-out.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 9, 2010 11:01 AM EST up reply actions
Oh yeah, then he went to the DL.
Must be thinking about Kennedy’s verbal agreement.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 9, 2010 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
I'd prefer if it was June
Would be nice to get a chance to evaluate the team before having to make a decision.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:02 AM EST up reply actions
We have years and years of data.
Three weeks changes nothing, three months changes little.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 9, 2010 11:04 AM EST up reply actions
In Burrell's case it may
If there were mechanical issues such as bat speed that may or may not have been due to inury, 3 weeks can tell you a lot
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
I really hope we're not to the point where three weeks makes our big decisions for us.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 9, 2010 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
I'd think there is a certain degree of competency that can be spotted in a short period of time, especially if you know exactly what you're looking for.
Now if I were the Rays, I wouldn’t make a decision on Burrell on 3 weeks alone simply because it’s a poor use of resources. At the very worst, he can’t be so bad that you can’t stick him on the bench and try to figure out what to do with him in the meantime.
"Sure, because of the "cold weather" and rain." More bait and switch tactics by the New York owners of this team." --NikoHoullis, the lead blogger at Buc'em on racial and anti-semitic insensitivity.
I would imagine that stabilizes quickly.
But again, it’s three weeks of data points. We have an entire season of intimate knowledge on him, plus the data we have before he joined the Rays.
I don’t know the specifics, but I’d have to guess sometimes players go through bat speed/reaction time slumps like everything else.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 9, 2010 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
Since when is the amount of time from April 1st to June 1st 3 weeks?
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:16 AM EST up reply actions
Dude, from right now to April 1st is 3 weeks.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 9, 2010 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, and from 4/1 to 6/1 is 6 weeks\
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:21 AM EST up reply actions
There's some sort of disconnect here.
I’m talking about the real opt-out date with regards to what it means for Burrell. You’re talking about the fake opt-out date. I said three weeks (aka April) doesn’t tell you much at all, and that three months (June) tells you a bit more, but relatively nothing compared to what teams already know about Hank Blalock and Pat Burrell.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 9, 2010 11:24 AM EST up reply actions
It was a test, you passed
Reej, I put it together below, problem solved.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
I would think if Willy's wrist is worst than they think that that might change something, plus June is more than 3 weeks
More like 2 months or a 1/3 of the season. We have data that shows Pat Burrell should bounce back, what if he doesn’t? I don’t see why you would pick that point as one of contention.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
Okay, if the question is: Would a June 1st opt-out date help the Rays keep Blalock around more than that of an April 1st date
Then I disagree.
Again, three weeks in the spring is not going to morph his market. If teams needed a lefty who can play 1B/DH and fill in at 3B, then they would’ve signed him or shown interest, no?
He’s not getting a better deal than what he has here based on three weeks. Maybe if he had a 1.000 OPS in the minors and someone gets hurt by June, but even then I doubt it.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 9, 2010 11:12 AM EST up reply actions
You're referring to the other side of the coin. Suggesting that he won't want to exercise the opt-out
by the time April 1 rolls around. That makes sense to me.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:18 AM EST up reply actions
not an exciting young prospect
It’s like in fantasy the hot young prospects are usually overvalued and the grizzled vets undervalued
It looks like a mirac
What he brings to the team is highly specialized.
Yes, there is a niche for that, but if someone else can fill the niche and then some, it would make more sense to use that other player. I’d rather see Zobie/Joyce in RF and Briggy/Zobie at 2B.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:03 AM EST up reply actions
Think about Kapler on the Yankees bench
That would be a scary prospect. Not being able to hit LHP is one of their big weaknesses right now.
I'm not sure I buy that that's a weakness
Cano, Jeter, Swish, and Teix are all very good against lefties, while A-Rod just swings through a lot but has a ton of power. I’ll have more on this tomorrow hopefully.
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:12 AM EST up reply actions
I don't mean in terms of their starters
Bench options. Granderson is an issue, obviously, but there aren’t exactly a ton of great options for replacing him.
Gardner is likely to be a starter
Winn has no discernible career splits v. LHP? .765 OPS (vRHP) versus .758 (vLHP)
No they aren't
VS LHP career wOBA
Winn .331
Gardner .309
Kapler .363
That’s no small difference
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Over 20 games?
There’s no doubt Gardner is the better option because of defense.
So over the 100 or so PAs that’s a difference of (.363-.331)/1.15*100=2.78.
3 runs. 3 RUNS!
Throw in the fact that Winn can play against both handed pitchers, and I’d much, much rather them have Krapler.
yeah, but Gardner has to get on base to get picked off.
Atleast Gabe’s in position to get picked off.
Well PR is a valuable late game skill that Gardner has a clear advantage
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Also, the Kapler thing.
Sean Rodriguez’ career minor league OPS v. LH is .941. That’s in some nifty hitting environments. Kapler’s topped that each of his last two playing seasons. When you regress both (for park and towards the mean) Kapler has the edge.
They know what they’re getting with him. He can also play back-up CF and brings all the clubhouse feel good stuff.
Rodriguez has played 43 games in the outfield throughout his career. Can he play there? Most likely, is he as good defensively as Kapler is? Probably not right now.
It’s $1M and he seems like a pretty safe bet. I don’t get why he’s so hated.
He's someone else's Rocco Baldelli.
"Sure, because of the "cold weather" and rain." More bait and switch tactics by the New York owners of this team." --NikoHoullis, the lead blogger at Buc'em on racial and anti-semitic insensitivity.
Well, he's Rocco Baldelli without the homegrown goodness.
Namely, he’s a guy with an injury that’s likely ruined his career. I don’t hate him personally, I agree that this is a nice cheap signing, but I can understand why people think it’s a waste of money.
"Sure, because of the "cold weather" and rain." More bait and switch tactics by the New York owners of this team." --NikoHoullis, the lead blogger at Buc'em on racial and anti-semitic insensitivity.
Gabe Kapler has an injury that ruined his career?
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 9, 2010 11:04 AM EST up reply actions
No, I thought you were talking about Blalock.
"Sure, because of the "cold weather" and rain." More bait and switch tactics by the New York owners of this team." --NikoHoullis, the lead blogger at Buc'em on racial and anti-semitic insensitivity.
Oh, well in that case, I hate Kapler because he doesn't share his Jew Gold.
"Sure, because of the "cold weather" and rain." More bait and switch tactics by the New York owners of this team." --NikoHoullis, the lead blogger at Buc'em on racial and anti-semitic insensitivity.
God I hate you.
"Sure, because of the "cold weather" and rain." More bait and switch tactics by the New York owners of this team." --NikoHoullis, the lead blogger at Buc'em on racial and anti-semitic insensitivity.
Those first two-and-a-half months left a bad first impression
Your source for replacement level commentary
All I am going to say is that there have been some major rumors over the years
about him coming through the Texas system and PED’s.
There are way to many other options I would have pursued before Blalock.
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
To be fair, the Rays did pursue a ton of options before Blalock too.
Damon, Thome, etc.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 9, 2010 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
I'm unconvinced
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
He should get back on them so we can find out.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 9, 2010 11:31 AM EST up reply actions
his shoulder is way to wrecked for it to be of great difference
There is a reason he has had so many connective tissue injuries.
He is really not a very good defensive 1B. He has no patience at the plate and refused to go the other way. When he became obsessed with becoming a power guy it pretty much destroyed the rest of his offensive game.
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
Just want to say that the discussion the past two days has been top notch
So glad baseball season is upon us
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
by FreeZorilla on Mar 9, 2010 12:00 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
This.
A friend of mine who checks into this site from time-to-time said to me “Only on that site would you guys generate more than a few hundred comments to discuss signing Blalock and even more for trading for Gregg Zaun of all people.”
Without this site following the Rays would be half as fun.
One more year Brett. One more year.
by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Mar 9, 2010 12:02 PM EST up reply actions
Is it Jesus?
"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 9, 2010 12:09 PM EST up reply actions
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