The time is now!

by Barnese and Bailey Circus on Jul 18, 2010 9:57 PM EDT

As the time on the non- waiver trade deadline winds down I am beginning to think that internal options may very well be the best way to improve this team both short term and long term. The season is past the point in which short sample size applies. At this point you are what you are, and while I do believe in the principle of regression, I think that as the season winds down, there might not be enough time left to realize it`s effects. The following roster moves should be made quickly. I would not be surprised if one game separates a playoff team from a non playoff team after 162 is played.

1. DFA Gabe Kapler. .223/ .308/ .311 this includes the HR vs. the Yankees which improved his SLG. a whopping .038.
2. Add Desmond Jennings to the active roster. .285/ .361/ .398 at Durham. I would expect at least as good defensively and a superior base runner as Kapler.
3. Option Wade Davis to Durham. I have in no way given up on Davis which is why I think a move to Durham would be better than a move to the pen in lieu of Cormier. Davis has inconsistent at best this season. He gives us a chance to win (game @ Texas not withstanding) but I don`t think that we go into a game expecting to win when he takes the hill.
4. Add Jeremy Hellickson to the active roster. The kid has nothing left to prove in MiLB and we are in a pennant race.I would expect a higher K/9 rate as well as a lower BB/9.
5. Keep Cormier (non move) in the pen but... please, please, please, use him in lower leverage situations than Fridays match up vs. Yankees. He is starting to pitch better of late but I don`t think my nerves can take much more of that (or his for that matter).
6. Dan Johnson, R.J. Swindell, Dioner Navarro in September.

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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Addition by subtraction of BearJew

will not improve this team’s power. Kapler is not a full time starter and won’t have that big of an effect on the team’s overall hitting. I am still of the opinion that we need to get a bat, preferably Willingham or Werth even if it’s somewhat expensive. Like you just said, the time is nao.

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by pudieron89 on Jul 19, 2010 8:49 AM EDT reply actions

So call up Jennings to keep him on the bench most nights?

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by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT

by Doug09 on Jul 19, 2010 9:24 AM EDT reply actions

Why so dismissive?

And I don’t think the bench player argument is that applicable. If you bring him up in early August (or late July), you’re only going to cost him about 50-75 PAs. It adds flexibility to the OF and gives the Rays a chance to see him perform at the major league level. He may not be an average major leaguer yet, but he’ll probably be able to out-perform Kapler the rest of the way. I don’t think it’d affect his service time too much since he’ll probably be starting the season in Tampa next year anyway.

What’s the drawback?

by tallyray on Jul 19, 2010 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Jennings actually has reverse splits this year.

Granted it is a small sample size but he hits RHP very well.

How can you have any pudding if you haven`t eaten your meat? I`m still waiting...

by Barnese and Bailey Circus on Jul 19, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Swindle will more than likely exercise his opt-out clause before September

by Travis Lee on Jul 19, 2010 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

Why?

If he was going to do it at all, he would have done it early, not late.

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by Brickhaus on Jul 19, 2010 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

The date just passed

It’s only been 4 days since he’s been able to opt-out. I can’t go inside his head, but maybe he hasn’t because his agent told him nobody is interested. If he keeps putting up numbers in AAA like he has been, I don’t see why he wouldn’t.

by Travis Lee on Jul 19, 2010 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions

I imagine the opt-out date that just passed required a binding decision that day.

Having rejected the chance to leave that day, I have to believe that Swindle and Abreu are now fully contracted until the end of this season; only being allowed to move if the Rays trade them or allow them to be released at their own discretion.

by ega05me on Jul 19, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Not sure it's time to force a Davis/Hellickson move...

The Rays are probably at a point where Hellickson needs to be forced into the rotation instead of put in there as an option. Sending Davis down and bringing Hellickson up could cause an ugly musical chairs situation that benefits no one. Would we want to force Hellickson to adjust to major league hitters during a late season playoff chase? I’d give Davis the benefit of experience and lean on him until a move is forced by trade or injury.

by tallyray on Jul 19, 2010 9:56 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed.

by rglass44 on Jul 19, 2010 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree

Davis is proven, and he hasn’t been quite bad enough to warrant being sent down (IMO). He has experience against the major league hitters. I don’t have a real long leash on him right now, but I think it’s premature to make a move to Hellickson right now.

by Travis Lee on Jul 19, 2010 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I think that it works both ways.

MLB hitters have not seen Hellickson either. I just think that Davis would be better suited working on his breaking ball location in Durham rather than in MLB.

How can you have any pudding if you haven`t eaten your meat? I`m still waiting...

by Barnese and Bailey Circus on Jul 19, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Not a bad list

It does appear thought out and the moves may help.

The problem is the majority of people clamoring for these types of moves do not realize how minimal the impact would be.

Jennings over Kapler would be a minor upgrade at best considering playing time. I’m in favor of it if a trade doesn’t occur, but the difference is probably marginal.

Hellickson over Davis may be a little better than a coin flip on the field, but the off the field implications probably out weigh the likely benefits.

by tallyray on Jul 19, 2010 10:14 AM EDT reply actions

I would like to see a bat come to strengthen the team.

I do agree with the original post, but i feel Hellickson would be better suited to the bullpen as Price did when he first started. Johnson, Hellickson and Jennings along with a power bat may help get this team to the post season. Krapler and Cormier would be the obvious choices to go down. Not sure who the others would be.

by AUSSIExRULES on Jul 19, 2010 10:23 AM EDT reply actions

At the very least we should see what DanJo can do and DFA Kap

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by pudieron89 on Jul 19, 2010 10:27 AM EDT reply actions

Where would the ABs come from?

Kapler is a RH bat that can play OF. Johnson does not have the same skill set. I understand how players can be shifted, but Johnson cannot replace Kapler given the way Kapler has been used.

by tallyray on Jul 19, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

DanJo DH vs RHP, Zo at 2B Joyce in RF

Zo in RF vs LHP with S Rod at 2B

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by FreeZorilla on Jul 19, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

like FreeZo said,

we already have 2 extra OFs in Joyce and SRod. DanJo as DH, part time at 1B so we can keep Aybar/Joyce/platoon players on the bench for PH/utility roles.

Longo! (Ah-a-ah!) Fighter of the Upton! (Ah-a-ah!) Champion of the Rays! He's the master of batting and defense for everyone!

by pudieron89 on Jul 19, 2010 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Are we convinced SRod can play OF?

Or that the front office is confident he can?

There’s a valid argument for bringing Johnson up, I’m just wondering what’s keeping them from doing it if it hasn’t been done already.

by tallyray on Jul 19, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I am fairly convinced he could play an effective outfielder

I wish he has seen more time there so he can polish those skills. There is alearning curve to the position, but an easier curve than an OF moving to SS. In his 90+ career innings (almost meaningless) UZR likes him quite a bit while DRS doesn’t. We would be using him in the OF in an emergency role only anyhow.

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by FreeZorilla on Jul 19, 2010 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Zo and S-Rod in COF long-term is such a waste.

by rglass44 on Jul 19, 2010 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Why Zo plays a monster corner

Sure he plays a monster 2nd also, but if Srod also plays a monster 2nd, then who cares? Its not like wasting him at 1B. It hurts his indivual WAR but not the teams aggregate.

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by FreeZorilla on Jul 19, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

It does if S-Rod doesn't play a monster 2nd...

He isn’t at the same level as Zobrist and I’m not penciling him in as a reliable contributor just yet. I’d rather maintain Zobrist’s flexibility then lock him into a corner spot. I’d even platoon Zobrist with Rodriguez and Joyce before I give either a starting spot.

by tallyray on Jul 19, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm fine with that too

Last year I suggested Zo playing 2B, b/c its harder to play 2B, with the idea that SRod had the tools to develop in the corner. I am assuming that Zo doesn’t play RF without above avg defense at 2B. I’ve long been an advocate of the Joyce/SRod swing platoon.

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by FreeZorilla on Jul 19, 2010 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm fine w/ the Joyce/S-Rod swing platoon this year.

I do wonder about it long-term as far as developing Joyce the FT player, and what might happen with the MIF/COF position.

by rglass44 on Jul 19, 2010 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Does Joyce need to be full time?

The key to all this is Zobrist. If he continues on this same track his versatility allows the Rays to maximize the value of the players around him. If the Rays develop a better RH bat then SRod (or if Joyce becomes that) they can play them in the corner. Same holds true if Rodriguez outplays Joyce.

by tallyray on Jul 19, 2010 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd like a guy with his minor league batting profile to get a chance assuming he shows it in the bigs.

by rglass44 on Jul 19, 2010 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Well Zo's defense at 2B has been better than in the COF...

and it’s a half-win drop-off if he’s equally as good. I just think it’s a little inefficient to use two + MIF at COF because I doubt they’ll grade out as ++. Now I realize there’s a limited number of MIF PAs, but that’s a different story altogether.

by rglass44 on Jul 19, 2010 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Couldn't hurt

Could spell Pena and DH the other times. Doesn’t look like a trade will be coming the Rays way.

BTW, love the Sunny in Philadelphia reference.

by GatorRays on Jul 19, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions

thanks, my first kudos for it

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by pudieron89 on Jul 19, 2010 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

How is Ruggiano doing?

He seems like a more logical Kapler replacement.

DFAing Aybar for Danjo seems to make more sense.

Then you could DFA Kapler for Ruggs.

I would also DFA Cormier for whoever, but I disagree about Davis. I think he should stay.

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by Sveet on Jul 19, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

I like Ruggs, but he never does much except struggle when he comes up

Johnson is mashing and he deserves a shot.

Longo! (Ah-a-ah!) Fighter of the Upton! (Ah-a-ah!) Champion of the Rays! He's the master of batting and defense for everyone!

by pudieron89 on Jul 19, 2010 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Ruggs doesn't even have 100 career ABs

But I never said to bring him up over DJ

by Sveet on Jul 19, 2010 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Ruggs is doing worse than he has in the past

but its fine. Decent power-speed numbers still, very high strikeouts and erratic at best plate discipline. Should play a decent corner outfield.

I wouldn’t mind seeing DJO and Rugg up for Kapler and Aybar, especially if Aybar isn’t going to get used at all at 3B or 2B.

by Navi's_Navy on Jul 19, 2010 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions

just throwing it out there but

for those who want to call up Jennings, how about putting Joyce in a deal to say get Fielder? I don’t know exactly if the Brewers want/need him but maybe a 3rd team can get involved and we can substitute a ML ready OF for say 2 minor league pitchers. This way for the rest of 2010 we can go with the stallion OF and than in 2011 we can go Zo/BJ/Deezy with Rod and Briggy up the middle.

by Dbullsfan on Jul 19, 2010 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

The Rays don't have a glut of OFs

The desire to dump Kapler is what’s pushing Jennings to the forefront.

I wouldn’t want the Rays to limit their options in 2011 by getting rid of Joyce. Keeping Zobrist has a utility player in theory allows for much more depth then slotting him somewhere.

by tallyray on Jul 19, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions