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Morosi: Athletics and Grant Balfour Close to a Deal

Jon Morosi of FOX Sports:

#Athletics, reliever Grant Balfour close to multiyear deal, source tells FOXSports.com.    

There's no word out on the money involved, but we all know how much the Rays don't like giving multi-year contracts to relievers. It's most likely that Balfour is getting a pretty impressive payday here, and if so, good for him. I'll always remember Balfour's many spectacular moments with the Rays, especially this one from the 2008 playoffs.

If this report is true, it means the Rays will be stuck receiving Oakland's second-round pick, seeing as their first round pick is protected (h/t Jason Collette). We'll still receive a supplementary first-round pick, bringing our final total to 10 first round draft picks. This could be an exciting draft year.

I was personally hoping Balfour might come back, but there's no reason to panic. Jon Rauch is still sitting there on the market, forgotten and neglected, and we may yet be able to snag him. Fingers crossed! 

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I'm wondering if being closer to home so he can fly over quicker was part of it?

Rauch’s opportunities are drying up, quickly. I’d rather pay for him than pay for Balfour’s full value coming off the season he’s had. After Soriano’s deal last night, I’m afraid Balfour is going to have an AAV of somewhere in the 4.5-5m range

by Jason Collette on Jan 14, 2011 11:01 AM EST reply actions  

His "home" is here now.

Married and built a house in the Tampa Bay area. I’m in the same situation and flying back to Australia just doesn’t happen on a whim (of course he’s gonna be making a shitload more money than me)

This is all to do with the multiyear deal he deserved and I am more than a little gutted the Rays couldn’t pony up, but am happy that Grant’s getting paid.

….. now to come up with a new avatar.

by AussieGriff on Jan 14, 2011 11:33 AM EST up reply actions  

I still think the stumbling block for the Rays is not the money

but the years.

In any case, perhaps we are also missing something when thinking about the apparently overpriced contracts some relievers are getting. The Red Sox, Yankees and apparently now the As seem to be building their pitching staffs to shorten games by signing very talented relievers to set up and perhaps flexible roles. It will be interesting to see how the managers use their starters when they feel confident that they can get 3 or even 4 innings of similar work from relievers. Might pitchers like Mitre, Matsuzaka (even Beckett) and their ilk be pluses or at least adequate, if they can just let it out for 5 innings without worrying about going to lesser pitchers for the last four?

And might it allow the managers to limit the innings of younger starters with more confidence as well. Perhaps Hughes or Brett Anderson, Cahill and Gonzalez or even Buccholz is only asked to go 5-6 innings most games even if pitching well.

In fact, isn’t signing pitchers such as Soriano, Jenks and even Balfour possibly a surreptitious way to use some variation of the much maligned “closer by committee” model whereby the manager can preserve the effectiveness of his designated closer by using him less since he has alternatives with name recognition? (I realize Balfour is a stretch for that concept but the As already have 2 pitchers who have been closers before anyway.)

by bobr on Jan 14, 2011 12:16 PM EST up reply actions  

Well

Total bullpen overhaul = complete…. Sad to see Grant go, but boy do I love those picks. Also glad were not giving him multiple years if that is indeed the case. That being said, we still need another proven arm at the back end. If we end up with Rauch, Friedman absolutely dominated the restructuring of the pen.

by BJ the Bossman on Jan 14, 2011 11:03 AM EST reply actions  

If Sonny wasn't a fill in SP, Friedman would of replaced everyone

And Aussie, you got confused, you meant to sign with the Cardinals and get us a 4th 1st rounder.

Under construction

by joeybw on Jan 14, 2011 11:04 AM EST up reply actions  

Also, meant to include this in the article, but it's impressive that Balfour is the only one to sign with a team with a protected pick.

Considering that initially, it was looking like we could have gotten screwed over and received much less than 10 picks. Things could be worse.

I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously.

by Steve Slowinski on Jan 14, 2011 11:06 AM EST reply actions  

Before we send a 'thanks Aussie' card

let’s not forget how he damn near blew our shot at our only WS with his performance in Gm 5 of the ’08 ALCS v BOS 4 ER 1 HR in less than an IP

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Jan 14, 2011 11:12 AM EST reply actions  

This is dumb.

If John Jaso somehow strikes out, it means you didn’t do your job right as an umpire.
by raysrule44 on Jul 9, 2010 8:37 PM CDT

by Vin on Jan 14, 2011 11:14 AM EST up reply actions  

You know, I'd actually begun to respect some of your posts and then you go and do this.

Why not blame him for losing the World Series too? He did “start” in our rain-delayed game, remember….

by AussieGriff on Jan 14, 2011 11:35 AM EST up reply actions  

3 1st rd's and 7 sandwich picks

Friedman turns 2 waiver claims and Jesse Chavez into 5 of the first 65 picks. That’s how shit is done!

by Jason Collette on Jan 14, 2011 11:13 AM EST reply actions  

It really is unreal

If the bullpen is even league average this year, with big parts of our bullpen still developing to an extent (McGee and Russell), than I really believe this is the most impressive thing Friedman has done so far. I know Evans contract is sweet, but this is just mind blowing

by BJ the Bossman on Jan 14, 2011 11:16 AM EST up reply actions  

Order

24th, 31st, 32nd, and then

Supplemental First Round
Nationals (for Type-A Adam Dunn)
Blue Jays (for Type-A Scott Downs)
Red Sox (for Type-A Victor Martinez)
Rangers (for Type-A Cliff Lee)
Rays (for Type-A Carl Crawford)
Phillies (for Type-A Jayson Werth)
Red Sox (for Type-A Adrian Beltre)
Rays (for Type A Grant Balfour)
Diamondbacks (for Type-B Adam LaRoche)
Mets (for Type-B Pedro Feliciano)
Rockies (for Type-B Octavio Dotel)
Blue Jays (for Type-B John Buck)
White Sox (for Type-B J.J. Putz)
Padres (for Type-B Jon Garland)
Giants (for Type-B Juan Uribe)
Twins (for Type-B Jesse Crain)
Yankees (for Type-B Javy Vazquez)
Rays (for Type-B Joaquin Benoit)
Blue Jays (for Type-B Miguel Olivo)
Padres (for Type-B Yorvit Torrealba)
Twins (for Type-B Orlando Hudson)
Rays (for Type-B Randy Choate)
Blue Jays (for Type-B Kevin Gregg)
Padres (for Type-B Kevin Correia)
Rays (for Type-B Brad Hawpe)

by Jason Collette on Jan 14, 2011 11:18 AM EST up reply actions  

And dont worry, Im sure Gary Shelton is already writing this article

oh no wait I got that confused with “season over, move the team”

by BJ the Bossman on Jan 14, 2011 11:17 AM EST up reply actions  

Rec'd for awesome reference.

I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously.

by Steve Slowinski on Jan 14, 2011 11:20 AM EST up reply actions  

It's definitely possible

BA listed our Crawford pick above the Phillies’ Werth one while Werth had a better score and the Phillies had a worse record, so I honestly have no clue.

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 11:23 AM EST up reply actions  

It says
The order of the supplemental round between the first and second rounds is determined by inverse order of the previous year’s standings. All the Type A picks are done first, and then the order resets for all the Type B compensation picks.

That’s why I was thinking it was 42nd

Last night, Callis said we had 24, 31, 32, 38, 41, 51, 55, 58, and 59.

by Jason Collette on Jan 14, 2011 11:25 AM EST up reply actions  

Can't get on Twitter here

But if he happens to update that today it’d be great if you could post it

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 11:31 AM EST up reply actions  

Oops, Phillies had a better record

So it goes by Elias score for type A’s

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 11:26 AM EST up reply actions  

...My bad

I meant to type record for Type A’s and Elias score for Type B’s

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 11:27 AM EST up reply actions  

Yes, please.

Maybe write out all of round two? Rays pick #88 from their own pick there, I believe.

by Sky Kalkman on Jan 14, 2011 11:26 AM EST up reply actions  

I'm at work currently so I'm just going to stick to commenting

If someone wants to make a FanPost with it all, that’d be great, if not, I will when I get home

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions  

At least we are done losing guys

Unless people are gonna cry when Cormier, Aybar and Kapler sign elsewhere

Rocco isn’t signed but I think he’s done playing and will come back to being a coach and stay there.

Under construction

by joeybw on Jan 14, 2011 11:37 AM EST reply actions  

I'd like to see Willy get a chance to get in shape and make the team in some capacity, not so much on Cormier

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 11:57 AM EST up reply actions  

I have no problem NRIing both.

Same with Rocco…

It couldn’t hurt.

If John Jaso somehow strikes out, it means you didn’t do your job right as an umpire.
by raysrule44 on Jul 9, 2010 8:37 PM CDT

by Vin on Jan 14, 2011 12:40 PM EST up reply actions  

hah

If John Jaso somehow strikes out, it means you didn’t do your job right as an umpire.
by raysrule44 on Jul 9, 2010 8:37 PM CDT

by Vin on Jan 14, 2011 12:43 PM EST up reply actions  

He's had a lot of big hits for us and I'm sure the market isn't huge

If he was willing to take like a Mil guaranteed to go sit in Durham, it’s not a bad insurance policy.

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 1:10 PM EST up reply actions  

Which is basically what DanJo did last year

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 1:11 PM EST up reply actions  

Definitely.

Wouldn’t even mind giving him a split contract to keep him around.

If John Jaso somehow strikes out, it means you didn’t do your job right as an umpire.
by raysrule44 on Jul 9, 2010 8:37 PM CDT

by Vin on Jan 14, 2011 1:49 PM EST up reply actions  

OK, I'm showing

24th (from Boston)
31st (from New York)
32nd (their own)
38th (losing Soriano from MLB)
39th (losing Crawford from MLB)
40th (losing Balfour from MLB)
52nd (losing Benoit from MLB)
56th (losing Choate from MLB)
59th (losing Hawpe from MLB)
60th (losing Qualls from MLB)

by Jason Collette on Jan 14, 2011 11:37 AM EST reply actions  

.

Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.

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

by Doug09 on Jan 14, 2011 11:39 AM EST up reply actions  

Oakland's 75 and we're 89, right?

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 11:49 AM EST up reply actions  

Copying this from my post in joey's fanpost

99% how sure it works is

Everyone with a Type A pick gets a pick in draft order, but only one pick. Then every team that has two Type A picks get another one in draft order (this would be Boston and us, so Boston would be ahead). Then every time with a third Type A (just us) gets a pick. Then Type B’s are awarded solely on Elias score

So:
Supplemental First Round
34. Nationals (Dunn)
35. Blue Jays (for Scott Downs, Type A, to Angels)
36. Red Sox (Martinez)
37. Rangers (Lee)
38. Rays (Soriano)
39. Phillies (for Jayson Werth, Type A, to Nationals)
40. Red Sox (Beltre)
41. Rays (Crawford)
42. Rays (Balfour)

That should be the correct order for all the Type A guys, then from LaRoche on it looks good

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 11:51 AM EST up reply actions  

Our first one is in front of Philly

Maybe this is a better way to explain it: Every team that got a Type A pick will get one comp pick before any team can get two.

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 11:54 AM EST up reply actions  

ah, that makes sense...

I thought they just piled in the picks regardless of what the standings were

by Jason Collette on Jan 14, 2011 11:57 AM EST up reply actions  

I did too initally but rglass brought this up and looking back

it looks like no team ever got consecutive comp picks for type As (unless they had 3 like we did). For example 09 went:
Mariners
Rockies
D-Backs
Dodgers
Jays
White Sox
Brewers
Angels
D-Backs
Angels

Arizona had two Type A’s in Cruz and Hudson but had to wait until after everyone picked once to go again. Then the Angels had K-Rod and Teixeira, same thing.

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 12:01 PM EST up reply actions  

that's nearly 2x what he made last year

Good for him…and finally a decent signing in this crazy market.

If fans want to bitch about “We could have done that!” – they have a beef in this case but the picks > player in this case.

by Jason Collette on Jan 14, 2011 11:54 AM EST up reply actions  

If you consider Farnsworth to be a replacement Balfour, we basically got someone as good as he was for half the price and only a 1 year committment.

I’m a little more OK with Balfour going elsewhere then letting Qualls walk since the Padres got him pretty damn cheap.

12-19-2010 - TAMPA, Fla.: The Detroit Lions erased some painful memories by ending the longest road losing streak in NFL history against YOUR Tampa Bay Succaneers.

Also, melanin makes people lazy.

by kericr on Jan 14, 2011 11:58 AM EST up reply actions  

The .25 includes the buyout, if we pick up the second year that's not folded into the contract, right?

So it’s more like 2.75 & 3 OR just 3

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 1:11 PM EST up reply actions  

With buyout it's $4M, although then you'd get second year for $2M

I just wanted to hit home that extra years aren’t a bad thing. In fact, they are good. What’s bad is when you start overpaying for those extra years. For example, if you look at Balfour’s deal as $5M for the first year and $3M for the second, it’s hard not to like the price of the first year. And then it’s tough to argue that the second year is a waste.

by Sky Kalkman on Jan 14, 2011 1:13 PM EST up reply actions  

I screwed up; I was for some reason associating Qualls' contract with Farnsworth and comparing that to what Balfour got.

12-19-2010 - TAMPA, Fla.: The Detroit Lions erased some painful memories by ending the longest road losing streak in NFL history against YOUR Tampa Bay Succaneers.

Also, melanin makes people lazy.

by kericr on Jan 14, 2011 4:38 PM EST up reply actions  

Link? Option for 3rd year?

Damn right I have a beef with it … but in Friedman I trust, so I will just be happy for both sides of the deal and continue to wear my Balfour jersey to games “in memoriam”

by AussieGriff on Jan 14, 2011 11:57 AM EST up reply actions  

Olney says 2 yrs, $8.1m.

No mention of 3rd year.

I’m wondering if being on the west coast was a draw for him so he could fly home easier.

by Jason Collette on Jan 14, 2011 11:59 AM EST reply actions  

No need to commit to that 2nd year for us

every year there’s a new crop
as i tweeted, at this point why is Balfour worth so much more than Farnsworth?

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Jan 14, 2011 12:14 PM EST up reply actions  

Hmm

I responded to your theory up top. I doubt it had anything to do with it really … his home is in the Tampa Bay area now – as in he’s built here and married an American. Perhaps the inverse is true though – makes it easier for his friends and family to fly over and see a game.

I’m sure it’s the multiyear thing and that alone.

From the A’s point of view – maybe you or someone else can clarify this – if they’re out of the hunt next season, couldn’t they trade Balf mid-season and get their pick back? (and would it still be a 2nd round pick, or would it be a sandwich pick?)

by AussieGriff on Jan 14, 2011 12:28 PM EST up reply actions  

I don't think teams can trade players they signed until June 1

And the draft is June 6, so that’s a small window. But if they traded him, no, they wouldn’t get the pick back.

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 12:30 PM EST up reply actions  

Sorry, I meant in the following season's draft.

I kinda think I read something along these lines once but it obviously didn’t stick and I can’t find anything to support it now…..

by AussieGriff on Jan 14, 2011 12:33 PM EST up reply actions  

The only way to get a pick is if a player leaves via FA

so a trade wouldn’t impact the draft at all

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 12:35 PM EST up reply actions  

Time to call on oakland on their relievers

Maybe a blockbuster deal for andrew bailey?

craig breslow is a workhorse left reliever

3 buy low candidates are mike wuertz, brad ziegler, and joey devine

by MagicMike23 on Jan 14, 2011 12:08 PM EST reply actions  

outside of Bailey we have the equivalent in house

add Rauch and a couple NRI )Acevas, Veras) and let’s go

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Jan 14, 2011 12:10 PM EST up reply actions  

Just a thought, why all the rumbling of the exact order of the supplemental round?

We got a bunch of picks, leave it at that

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Jan 14, 2011 12:08 PM EST reply actions  

Just a desire to get it right

Obviously being off my a pick or whatever isn’t a big deal, but might as well get it correct

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 12:10 PM EST up reply actions  

Add DelCarmen to your list above and a couple of lefties

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 12:21 PM EST up reply actions  

Fun calculations:

The Rays are 1 of 30 MLB teams, thus ~3% of the league.

They have 11 of the first 89 picks, and thus will receive 12.3% of the 89 best amateurs in 2011.

A mere 3% is getting 12.3% of the top of the draft. That’s absurd.

Plus: If you multiply those numbers together, you get 0.369%. Divide Bartlett’s 2010 WAR (~1.5489) by 0.369% and you get, yes, you guessed it, 420.

A DRaysBay writer from Cubs Stats and Twitter @BradleyWoodrum

by BWoodrum on Jan 14, 2011 12:15 PM EST reply actions  

Someone (not i) should comprise a list of notable

picks from 24-89 over the last few years

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Jan 14, 2011 12:19 PM EST up reply actions  

from Aaron Gleeman
Oh, and the Rays also have their own second-round pick, which is 88th overall, giving them 12 of the top 88 picks. Based on Victor Wang’s work on draft pick value over at The Hardball Times, those 12 picks are likely worth around $30 million. That won’t help Tampa Bay contend in 2011, but it’ll go a long way toward keeping the farm system stocked for years to come.

by Jason Collette on Jan 14, 2011 12:21 PM EST up reply actions  

2005

Matt Garza
Colby Rasmus
Clay Buchholz
Kevin Slowey
Yunel Escobar

2004
JP Howell
Huston Street
Reid Brignac
Yovano Gallardo
Hunter Pence
Dustin Pedroia
Wade Davis

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 12:22 PM EST up reply actions  

2003

Chad Billinglsey
Daric Barton
Carlos Quentin
Adam Jones
Scott Baker
Andre Ethier
Shaun Marcum

2002
Joe Blanton
Matt Cain
Joey Votto
Jon Lester
Jon Broxton
Brian McCann

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 12:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Good stuff, thanks.

That’s a 65-pick range, with 4-6 productive players per season. 6-10% hit rate is a bit depressing.

Although, the players you listed are mostly quite good, meaning there are probably more who have contributed at least a little bit.

by Sky Kalkman on Jan 14, 2011 1:01 PM EST up reply actions  

I've seen 30% thrown around as the number of league average players drafted in the first round (obviously very top-heavy)

So we’ve set ourselves up for at least one average player of our 3 first rounders which is pretty awesome. I’d love a few more Brignacs in the system.

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 1:13 PM EST up reply actions  

Just go here and enter whatever numbers you want

http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?overall_pick=24&draft_type=&

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions  

thx to both

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Jan 14, 2011 12:35 PM EST up reply actions  

seems financially unlikely

That’s $15MM+ on the first two rounds alone, which would be ~50% more than the Rays have ever spent on the draft.

My guess is that the Rays take the best player at 24 (akin to Sale in 2010), then 5-6 signability/slot guys (guys like Jake Thompson, Ryan Brett from 2010), then 4-5 “home run” guys (like Nick Castellanos, Austin Wilson, Stetson Allie in 2010) and play them all off of each other with the hopes of signing 1-2.

by AndrewTorrez on Jan 14, 2011 1:12 PM EST up reply actions  

I'd like that

But look at the Rays 2010 draft. They drafted well — I’ve argued that previously — but they also drafted with an eye towards avoiding paying out multiple significant overslot bonuses.

For example: In the first round, the Rays took Drew Vettleson ($845,000 signing bonus) and passed on Nick Castellanos ($3.45M signing bonus). In the second and third round, the Rays took solid players — Jake Thompson, Derek Dietrich, and Ryan Brett — all of whom I like, and all of whom signed for $555,000 or less. They passed on A.J. Cole, Garin Cecchini, and others.

So — I don’t know. I hold open the possibility that the Rays will spend somewhere between $15MM and $20MM on next year’s draft. I just don’t think it’s in the upper range of possibilities.

by AndrewTorrez on Jan 14, 2011 1:27 PM EST up reply actions  

I actually agree with you

They’ll go over-slot on some guys not not way over slot

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 1:29 PM EST up reply actions  

There might have been longer term ramifications to those picks

Suppose the Rays went with signable guys because they knew they would have a ton of picks in 2011, rolling over the pick (if they couldn’t reach agreement) would have given them another 1st in the upcoming draft, but we already have a ton of them.

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 1:29 PM EST up reply actions  

I'd say you're a bit high

on that number

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 1:36 PM EST up reply actions  

Not all the time, just nights and all day on the weekend

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 2:02 PM EST up reply actions  

exactly

Some weekday mornings if I had a rough night…

by rglass44 on Jan 14, 2011 2:53 PM EST up reply actions  

Can't do it, I have to feel my freshest while sitting in my living room conducting business

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 2:54 PM EST up reply actions  

There goes a target

Twins resigned Thome…

Under construction

by joeybw on Jan 14, 2011 12:27 PM EST reply actions  

he loves the ALC

the next 4 will come tumbling down now

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Jan 14, 2011 12:31 PM EST up reply actions  

I love his pricetag. Only $3M with some incentives.

If that’s all it’ll take to get Manny or Vlad, that’s gonna be fun.

I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously.

by Steve Slowinski on Jan 14, 2011 12:39 PM EST up reply actions  

Exactly what I was thinking.

If John Jaso somehow strikes out, it means you didn’t do your job right as an umpire.
by raysrule44 on Jul 9, 2010 8:37 PM CDT

by Vin on Jan 14, 2011 12:41 PM EST up reply actions  

If 1 yr 3 mil sets the market for the rest of the DH types, I'll be very happy.

Money being less of an issue now, we should be the more desired destination given the number of ABs available.

If John Jaso somehow strikes out, it means you didn’t do your job right as an umpire.
by raysrule44 on Jul 9, 2010 8:37 PM CDT

by Vin on Jan 14, 2011 12:39 PM EST up reply actions  

Honestly don't think a couple million means a lot to either manny (200 million) or vlad (100+ million)

I might be wrong though. At this point I’d say location+PT are the biggest thing for them

by benderbrodriguez on Jan 14, 2011 5:56 PM EST up reply actions  

so - with a zillion early draft picks

Do we significantly increase our draft budget for the coming year? Or pick safe/cheap players?

Nice ot have a lot of picks, but if you don’t have money allocated to sign them…

by TallMatt on Jan 14, 2011 1:12 PM EST reply actions  

There is no way we do safe/cheap picks next year

This is the deepest draft class in years (so say the scouts) and frankly it could be the last year without hard slotting. Expect all of MLB to break the bank

by benderbrodriguez on Jan 14, 2011 5:57 PM EST up reply actions  

We really need to sign a Manny or Vladdy

Branyan, Giambi, Jones or Nick Johnson would be a poor settle

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Jan 14, 2011 1:15 PM EST reply actions  

He's a very productive player

What price tag do think he could be had at?

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 1:25 PM EST up reply actions  

That's probably not realistic

But even for 75-80 games I’d think he’d be a bargain

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 1:29 PM EST up reply actions  

You and Nick Johnson, both.

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 1:30 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, but I was about to throw a figure out when I realized I have no clue what would be appropriate

I just don’t enough about contract stuff

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 1:28 PM EST up reply actions  

It's difficult to say without knowing how much of a discount Thome took to return to Minnesota.

If $3M was his best offer, then Johnson shouldn’t get that much in base. Maybe $1-1.5M.

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 14, 2011 1:32 PM EST up reply actions  

I just don't see it

On a team with Dan Johnson, Matt Joyce, and Reid Brignac — not to mention possibly Leslie Anderson and Sam Fuld — that’s an awful lot of left-handedness. Adding a lefty pinch-hitter just doesn’t seem to maximize the roster space.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Nick Johnson’s OBP as much as anyone. But I have a hard time seeing this.

by AndrewTorrez on Jan 14, 2011 1:37 PM EST up reply actions  

okay, and in May?

I think the DH spot is the one thing the Rays absolutely have to get right this offseason — it’s an easy way to net ~3 wins over last year’s sinkhole of suck, and those 3 wins are likely to be the difference between being out of the wildcard race and being in it.

I just don’t see that working out with a guy who’s essentially never healthy.

by AndrewTorrez on Jan 14, 2011 1:43 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm thinking of Nick Johnson as our 1b

He plays ok defense and if we could get 90-100 games out of him, he could be worth 1.50-2 WAR. Dan Johnson picks up most of the additional 60 games or so and contributs .5-1 WAR and we’ll have 2-3 WAR out of 1b. That’s 1-2 wins more than we got out of Pena last year for about a third of the cost.

by ReyL on Jan 14, 2011 3:52 PM EST up reply actions  

Thanks

I was going to throw out $1M but had no clue

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 1:34 PM EST up reply actions  

...that's what she said.

RaysRev.com or m_weber on twitter

by Rays_Rev on Jan 14, 2011 1:18 PM EST up reply actions  

sounds good to me

Johnson could be a steal if he somehow stays healthy

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Jan 14, 2011 5:20 PM EST up reply actions  

Manny and Vlad for 8M please

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 1:16 PM EST up reply actions  

One of them could wander around first base, would be nice to have one of Manny, Vlad, DanJo on the bench for late game

matchups.

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 1:30 PM EST up reply actions  

Branyan's a LH 1B though.

Which also partly why I’m not on the Nick the Stick BW.

by rglass44 on Jan 14, 2011 1:34 PM EST up reply actions  

I could find a lot of love in my heart for the ManYan

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 1:43 PM EST up reply actions  

I'd like Branyan, he's actually put up almost all positive UZR at 1B in his career, but then what do you do with DanJo?

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 1:38 PM EST up reply actions  

I don't think he would look good in Uggs

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 1:40 PM EST up reply actions  

Combinations

Dan Jo is going nowhere. he is either the Part time 1st baseman or the part time DH. That levaes either getting a fulltime 1st baseman which should be Branyan and a part time RH DH(Thames or Glaus). OR A part time RH’ed first baseman to platoon with Dan Jo(either Thames or Glaus) and a full time DH(either Vald or Damon)

by budman3 on Jan 14, 2011 2:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Dicks.

This signing sucks them. Wanted Balf back big time. :(

Yes, SRQ/FZ, Balfour leaving is “sad”.

@thekidpow

by PlayOnWords on Jan 14, 2011 1:17 PM EST reply actions  

some links

https://spreadsheets0.google.com/ccc?key=tU39X1CdyfglcUx2TQ3rWMQ&hl=en#gid=0

https://spreadsheets1.google.com/ccc?key=tewGmR-ku4tW-ehESJNqD_g&hl=en#gid=0

These are just draft picks from 1991-1998 and 1999-2006 or so separated by 5 pick increments.

Crude data but figured I’d post.

by MrNegative1 on Jan 14, 2011 1:18 PM EST reply actions  

Ben Grieve 6.7 WAR

SO YOU’RE SAYING THERE’S A CHANCE WE COULD GET A STUD?

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 1:20 PM EST up reply actions  

Nice work by the way, I have mental problems

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 1:20 PM EST up reply actions  

I used to take out my aggression with drugs and alcohol, now I just DRB

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 2:02 PM EST up reply actions  

Whoa, awesome.

Is that career WAR or WAR over their first six seasons?

by Sky Kalkman on Jan 14, 2011 1:21 PM EST up reply actions  

think its the

total WAR listed on BRef when you pull the data

by MrNegative1 on Jan 14, 2011 1:29 PM EST up reply actions  

Where can we find info on the 2011 draft prospects

I keep reading it is a deep class. Has anyone posted projections or mock drafts?

by jso on Jan 14, 2011 1:21 PM EST reply actions  

Mock drafts are 100% useless at this point

Well, maybe they’re good if along with the names of prospects they give a bit of a description. But other than that, there’s not a whole lot out of coverage out. BA did a top 100 college prospects list, but that’s just names basically.

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 1:23 PM EST up reply actions  

Do you recommend signing up for BA

Or any of the pay sites in particular for this kind of information?

by jso on Jan 14, 2011 1:25 PM EST up reply actions  

On just straight draft info?

BA wouldn’t be worth it until May or so when they roll out their top 200 prospects. I can’t speak as to the quality of PerfectGame.org or anything else, though.

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 1:27 PM EST up reply actions  

It's pretty good I think.

At least has scouting reports and such.

Honestly, I’d follow MLBbonusbaby and the ESPN one. At Bonus Baby you’ll get tons of links to videos and such.

by rglass44 on Jan 14, 2011 1:29 PM EST up reply actions  

I've been looking into PG and BaseballAmerica's ProspectPlus

Might pull the trigger on one of them, but we’ll see.

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Jan 14, 2011 1:30 PM EST up reply actions  

Rays relievers hit a HR

Benoit Tigers 3/$16..5

Soriano Yankees 3/$35

Choate Marlins 2/$2.5

Qualls Padres 1/$2

Balfour A’s 2/$8.1 w/opt at $4.5

Wheeler Red Sox 1/$3 w/opt at $3

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Jan 14, 2011 2:18 PM EST reply actions  

Good year to have the Rays pedigree attached to your name

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 2:21 PM EST up reply actions  

Good year to be a FA

I gotta think the CBA talks are part of the reason for increased spending

PIZZA?!?

by Transplanted on Jan 14, 2011 2:23 PM EST up reply actions  

Please get Hendrickson as well in that case

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 2:37 PM EST up reply actions  

God sees everything

love it love it love it
i hate one person more than Pap smear—his name is bin laden
by sternfan1 on Aug 12, 2010 3:33 PM EDT

by SRQman on Jan 14, 2011 2:57 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Karma is a ....

Jay's favorite line: "Dog, in due time"
Now he look at me, like "Damn, dog, you where I am"
A hip hop legend.
I think I died in an accident, cause this must be heaven.

by 4QB on Jan 14, 2011 4:49 PM EST up reply actions  

No question

I was factoring one more reliever (preferably Rauch) into that assumption of money.

by BJ the Bossman on Jan 14, 2011 2:26 PM EST up reply actions  

Don't see McGee starting anywhere other than AA or AAA rotation till at least the ASB

McGee’s ceiling is still a left-handed josh johnson and the value if that were to be fulfilled (however unlikely) is so tremendous that it’d be a waste to put him in the pen while he’s still doing well as a starter (strong K and BB numbers last season)

by benderbrodriguez on Jan 14, 2011 6:03 PM EST up reply actions  

This is why I think it would make some sense to give multi-year deals to a couple of relievers

Or promote from within. Then we don’t have to do this again next season.

Founding member of the Leslie Anderson fan club. This support has little merit, but if he's ever any good then I called it.

by staplemaniac on Jan 14, 2011 3:15 PM EST up reply actions  

Wheeler'd

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Jan 14, 2011 3:18 PM EST up reply actions  

And was that a terrible contract?

Founding member of the Leslie Anderson fan club. This support has little merit, but if he's ever any good then I called it.

by staplemaniac on Jan 14, 2011 3:56 PM EST up reply actions  

This

When looking at top players paying 4-5 Mill/win is the going rate. But avg middle relievers don’t deserve more than $1 million. Remeber his numbers looked good last year b/c of usage, not talent. ROOGYs are as easy to find as LOOGYs.

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Jan 14, 2011 4:15 PM EST up reply actions  

The option years are nice.

Also, “doing this” has its benefits — a bazillion draft picks, watching other teams waste money, not wasting money, Steve Slowinski pacman images…

by Sky Kalkman on Jan 14, 2011 4:33 PM EST up reply actions  

As soon as we trade Price, round June

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 14, 2011 3:14 PM EST up reply actions  

Heyman says Rays are leading the race for Vlad

And he’s usually right when the player isn’t a Boris client.

Get him and Rauch, please.

Under construction

by joeybw on Jan 14, 2011 4:54 PM EST reply actions  

Vlad (or Manny), Branyan, and Rauch

That’s my remaining wishlist.

Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.

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

by Doug09 on Jan 14, 2011 8:12 PM EST up reply actions  

I think that everyone needs to get their priorities right.

What I want to know still is…. when are we going to re-sign Chris Richard to a minor league deal? C’mon Friedman, get it done. The best free agent is still out there.

by ega05me on Jan 14, 2011 10:08 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah! Rays have a ton of draft picks

Should fans be excited that Rays best major league talent has been let go for uh….. possible major league talent in four or five years? I THINK NOT. What a farce in St. Pete. Sorry DRB, I believe the dumping STINKS.

by Raysballfan on Jan 14, 2011 10:42 PM EST reply actions  

RIUN ways never in doubt, always bringing the knowledge

Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.

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

by Doug09 on Jan 15, 2011 12:19 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Terrible, terrible post

Just awful.

I think you’re lost.

@RealNolenBailey

by Hatfield on Jan 15, 2011 9:35 AM EST up reply actions  

I think you are clueless.

I am frustrated by the inequality MLB gives to big market teams. Benoit, Soriano, Balfour, Crawford and even Pena will be missed. How can a fan be excited by a franchise that dumps their stars? Obviously Friedman is doing a great job considering the horrendous fan support in St. Pete. I was embarrassed when I attended mid week Yankee and Sox games last year when 20k showed up for very meaningful games.

by Raysballfan on Jan 15, 2011 3:51 PM EST up reply actions  

Benoit, Balfour, Pena..
Benoit, Soriano, Balfour, Crawford and even Pena will be missed. How can a fan be excited by a franchise that dumps their stars?

Please keep in mind three of the five players you mention were hardly stars when they arrived in St. Pete and another was a product of the farm system which remains highly regarded. Think back to when Pena, Balfour and Benoit were acquired, via minor league contracts or a barely noticed trade and consider what the front office is doing now. It is no different.

Rather than focus on the loss of quality players, as a fan, I am excited by a franchise that creates stars out of draft picks and others’ spare parts and contends despite large financial disparities. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

Your source for replacement level commentary

by RATW on Jan 15, 2011 7:20 PM EST up reply actions  

"four or five years"

One is out of options. The FO really likes the catcher, and Archer could see time in the pen. Looks like you fail.

by ballsdeep187 on Jan 16, 2011 9:55 AM EST up reply actions  

Such an awesome quote

by Kevin Goldstein, posted on mlbtrade rumors

Rays fans discouraged by the loss of their closer should consider this tweet from Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus. Going by last year’s slot recommendations, Tampa Bay’s 12 picks within the first 88 selections of the 2011 amateur draft will cost “around $9.12MM” to sign. Even with a bump in slot prices and yet another supplementary round pick if San Diego signs Chad Qualls, the Rays could sign all 13 draft picks for less than the $11.5MM that Soriano will earn from the Yankees next year.

So A) Wow, Soriano is getting paid too much but more importantly B) I figure it would be slightly more but if thats the number, we can definatley sign all the 1st rounders.

Under construction

by joeybw on Jan 14, 2011 11:58 PM EST reply actions  

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