The Rays Tank: Logan Morrison 'Off Limits', Copious Marlins Love Editiion

by Steve Slowinski on Nov 9, 2011 8:11 AM EST in The Rays Tank

MLB Chatter

Technically, the big news yesterday was that the Phillies are close to signing Ryan Madson to a 4 year, $44 million contract. Considering his last deal was for 3 years, $12 million, that "established closer" tag got him a heck of a payday.

The big news to me, though, was that the Florida Marlins are going streaking this offseason. With their new stadium as a selling point, the Marlins seem to be making a big push toward competitiveness. They met with Mark Buehrle yesterday and are meeting with Jose Reyes today, and they have sent a contingent to the Dominican to make a hard sell to Yoennis Cespedes. As Jeff Sullivan notes, they are essentially recreating their team this offseason, attempting to turn into a mid-market powerhouse.

Oh, and the Marlins have supposedly declared Logan Morrison "off limits"...except if trading for Shields. As Michael Jong fleshed out in the link provided, I'm not taking this rumor at face value. I think this is the Marlins playing hard to get, and trying to raise the value of Morrison in relation to Shields. The Rays likely want more than just LoMo for Shields, and the Marlins likely don't want to give up anyone else. The dance begins.

Things I had forgotten about: there is a contingent of major league players "barnstorming" in Taiwan.

Rays Talk

If you read the first part of the Mikie Mahtook interview from Rays Digest, the second part is now live. Take it for what you will, but he raves about Tim Beckham's work ethic.

BurGi over at Rays Prospects is running a series of prospect profiles, and he recently looked at Kyle Lobstein, Ty Morrison, and Nevin Ashley. Nevin!

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Comments

Thanks for the link ...

… but it’s mostly Kevin and me only helping out on some days! Nevertheless, we are glad if you like what we are doing.

by BurGi on Nov 9, 2011 8:23 AM EST reply actions

Oh ... and by the way:

How much money do the Phillies have? Enough to throw it out of the window, obviously (while the Madson signing is WAY less head scratching than the Howard extension!)

by BurGi on Nov 9, 2011 8:26 AM EST reply actions

A couple of other intriguing Cuban defectors too:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/11/more-potential-cuban-free-agents.html

19-year-old outfielder Jorge Soler and 23-year-old right-hander Armando Rivero participated in a showcase at the Yankees’ complex in Boca Chica last week. Like Cespedes, both players are in the process of becoming eligible to play in the United States.

One year ago, Baseball America’s John Manuel had this to say about Soler: “Soler has a strapping 6-foot-3, 205-pound body, is 18 and has five-tool potential. Soler has bat speed and what one scout called ‘explosive power’ to go with above-average arm strength.” He’s on the Yankees’ radar, according to George A. King III of the New York Post. Sanchez writes that Rivero “features a slider, split-finger fastball, sinker and changeup in his repertoire and reached 98 mph with his fastball in the showcase.” King says he’s viewed as a reliever.

I’d like to see us make a play at both these guys (especially the OF).

by rglass44 on Nov 9, 2011 9:58 AM EST reply actions

I guess it all depends on how much they get.

by mr. maniac on Nov 9, 2011 9:59 AM EST up reply actions

of course. thats why i said "in play" and not "sign."

by rglass44 on Nov 9, 2011 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

has Soler played professionally?

obviously a 19-year-old OF with good tools should have you drooling

by AndrewTorrez on Nov 9, 2011 10:13 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, both of theme guys sound good to me.

Solder moreso though.

by mr. maniac on Nov 9, 2011 10:21 AM EST up reply actions

Any word on what they may receive bonus wise?

Both are very interesting. Doubt the Rays get either though, Other teams can outbid them for these guys.

No matter how much they are hyped, my teams always find a way to disappoint.

by thedudeofdudes on Nov 9, 2011 10:13 PM EST up reply actions

Agree re: LoMo

and again, I think the high end of the market has already been established for Shields, and it’s a lot more than just Morrison.

by AndrewTorrez on Nov 9, 2011 10:02 AM EST reply actions

Teams should look it as it will take an untouchable and then some to get Shields

LoMo may be untouchable but he wouldn’t be enough for Shields by himself.

Under construction

by joeybw on Nov 9, 2011 11:10 AM EST up reply actions

LoMo is untouchable?

I thought we used to reserve that for great players who were affordable and who had years left in cotro. LoMo is good, but he isn’t a 5-7 WAR player of the #1 overall prospect.

by mr. maniac on Nov 9, 2011 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

It's posturing using definitive statements..

Same deal when Maddon declared that Garza will be pitching for the Rays during the peak of trade rumors.

by Ben Tumbling on Nov 9, 2011 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

I was referring to joey's comment, not GM propaganda.

by mr. maniac on Nov 9, 2011 10:16 PM EST up reply actions

They are just playing hardball

LoMo is almost destined to go to 1B. Marlins wants either Fielder or Pujols, and they already have Gaby Sanchez. LoMo is clubhouse cancer for Marlins. There aren’t too many teams interested in 1B and have enough packages to lure him. I would say.. about 5 teams? I still think Upton + Niemann <> LoMo + B-(Say, Chad James?) prospect sounds like perfect deal for both side. They can fill up the much needed CF and they have money and willingness to extend Upton as well. Niemann would add great strength to their rotation. AL East to NL East, could happen Vasquez transition since Niemann was a lot better pitcher than Vasquez in AL East.

by Patrick Relano Kim on Nov 9, 2011 11:53 AM EST reply actions

I don't like it

We may of been as close as 1 hitter away from winning that Texas series, we need to add a hitter, not trade one for another one. Plus, I really think BJ Upton is the kind of guy you want in his first ever FA season. Might only be for a year, but we may finally see those great numbers that people keep saying he will put up every season.

Under construction

by joeybw on Nov 9, 2011 12:21 PM EST up reply actions

In long term

I do not think another playoff will make any differences in this market, even if it is the ring since we stuck at this stadium issue. LoMo would be valuable asset in cheap prices for many years to come. And we can still contend with or without Upton for sure.

by Patrick Relano Kim on Nov 9, 2011 1:09 PM EST up reply actions