The Rays Tank: Yonder Alsono Off The Market, Helloooo Anthony Rizzo

by Steve Slowinski on Dec 19, 2011 8:01 AM EST in The Rays Tank

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 26: Pitcher Mat Latos #38 of the San Diego Padres prepares to throw the ball during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park on September 26, 2011 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent C. Horner/Getty Images)

As I'm sure most of you hear, Yonder Alonso is now off the trade market. He was dealt this past weekend to the San Diego Padres in a trade for Matt Latos, and it appears that the Padres intend to use him as their first baseman of the future. The Reds had to pay a high price to get Latos, though, and the final package -- Alonso, Grandal, Volquez, and Boxberger -- was probably about what the Rays would hope to get back for Shields.

But thankfully, there's another young first base target we can all lust over: Anthony Rizzo. As Tommy Rancel notes over at ESPN Florida, this trade suggests that the Padres have essentially given up on Rizzo and are planning to store him down in Triple-A or trade him. The Rays have already been rumored to be interested in Rizzo, so this whole situation might work out even better for the Rays.

There were two other tidbits of Rays news/rumors this weekend. The Rays were mentioned as one of the teams interested in Carlos Beltran, and while I'm sure they've kicked the tires on him, I can't see the Rays putting together a competitive offer for Beltran that matches what the Red Sox or Cardinals are willing to put up.

Also, Andrew Friedman talked with Marc Topkin this weekend, and he mentioned that he's content with the bullpen arms he has now. Then again, that could merely be Friedman double-talk, as he also implies that the he would like to add one more high-lev reliever if possible. Could that be code for Joel Zumaya?

Extra Links:

The winning bid for Yu Darvish is rumored to exceed the record $51.1 million posting bid for Dice-K. The winner should be announced tomorrow, and it appears that there are only two clubs that could have won the bid: the Rangers or Blue Jays.
There's an article by Wendy Thurm over at Baseball Nation about MLB's contradictory messages about sex in the new CBA. One on hand, MLB makes a progressive statement; on the other....eh, not so much.
Grant Brisbee has a really fun take on why the Rays and Padres should just hook up already. They're a match made in heaven, so the trick is just figuring out what sort of deal both sides is willing to do.

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Kubel off the market -- went to Arizona on a 2 yr deal with a 3rd year option

I'm not a fanboy, I'm an awesome dude

by Jason Collette on Dec 19, 2011 8:44 AM EST reply actions

and it's an odd fit

Either he’s platooning with Goldschmidt or he’s taking away playing time from Parra in the field. As good as Parra is in left field, giving Kubel glove time at his expense seems puzzling to say the least.

I'm not a fanboy, I'm an awesome dude

by Jason Collette on Dec 19, 2011 8:46 AM EST up reply actions

link please

"I don't always post off-topic, but when I do, I post at http://ottotd.com" - $tinky $tu

by pudieron89 on Dec 19, 2011 8:47 AM EST up reply actions

A Rosenthal tweet

and since the damn twitter links don’t work here….

I'm not a fanboy, I'm an awesome dude

by Jason Collette on Dec 19, 2011 8:48 AM EST up reply actions

My grand daughter loves reading DRB--watch the language

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Dec 19, 2011 8:50 AM EST up reply actions 8 recs

lol

by Ben Tumbling on Dec 19, 2011 8:51 AM EST up reply actions

Damn, that's rec worthy

I'm not a fanboy, I'm an awesome dude

by Jason Collette on Dec 19, 2011 8:52 AM EST up reply actions

Oh God.

I AM THE MONSTER - The big SCARY monsta

by sc_monsta1015 on Dec 19, 2011 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

Yessss

@RealNolenBailey

by Hatfield on Dec 19, 2011 1:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

per Heyman, Kubel got 2 yrs/ $15

Pretty much a Burrell contract which should help frame where the Rays are looking financially to fill the roster.

3/30 for Cuddyer
3/24 for Willingham
2/15 for Kubel

I'm not a fanboy, I'm an awesome dude

by Jason Collette on Dec 19, 2011 8:55 AM EST up reply actions

that's an especially terrible deal for the Diamondbacks

and it probably means that a Luke Scott signing will have to wait until late January, because a) there’s very little difference between Scott and Kubel, but b) I don’t see any team willing to go 2/15 on Scott.

by AndrewTorrez on Dec 19, 2011 9:01 AM EST up reply actions

Agreed, I don't like that for Arizona financially or how it affects their roster

2 things there: Kubel is four years younger and is not coming off major surgery. Scott may get 2 years, but not sure both are guaranteed like this was for Kubel.

I'm not a fanboy, I'm an awesome dude

by Jason Collette on Dec 19, 2011 9:04 AM EST up reply actions

I think Scott is still signable to something like 1/5

by AndrewTorrez on Dec 19, 2011 10:45 AM EST up reply actions

You pick em: Damon, Scott, Drew and how much?

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by sternfan1 on Dec 19, 2011 9:02 AM EST up reply actions

.

I wouldn’t go 2 guaranteed on any one of them. I’d go 1 year on Damon, and 1 yr with team option on the other two. Anything more than $5M for the 2012 base value and I pass on all 3 because Drew’s attractiveness would be keeping him healthy DH’ing rather than playing the field heavily at age 36

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by Jason Collette on Dec 19, 2011 9:10 AM EST up reply actions

I like that. I might add some incentive clauses for Scott and Drew that vest an option for '13 if attained

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by sternfan1 on Dec 19, 2011 9:26 AM EST up reply actions

Has the team done vested options in the past?

I can’t recall – I guess there’s a first time for anything & I’d be willing to try it with Scott.

I'm not a fanboy, I'm an awesome dude

by Jason Collette on Dec 19, 2011 9:38 AM EST up reply actions

let's get age 22 JD Drew

"I don't always post off-topic, but when I do, I post at http://ottotd.com" - $tinky $tu

by pudieron89 on Dec 19, 2011 10:18 AM EST up reply actions

pretty good 41 PAs

"I don't always post off-topic, but when I do, I post at http://ottotd.com" - $tinky $tu

by pudieron89 on Dec 19, 2011 10:20 AM EST up reply actions

lol

by benderbrodriguez on Dec 19, 2011 12:32 PM EST up reply actions

2/20 for Beltran with an option based on games played

Now if the Cards get in on Fielder, it would be one step closer.

by budman3 on Dec 19, 2011 10:46 AM EST up reply actions

Rancel reporting the Rays have interest in Beltran

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by sternfan1 on Dec 19, 2011 8:51 AM EST reply actions

as the link in the story above states?

I'm not a fanboy, I'm an awesome dude

by Jason Collette on Dec 19, 2011 8:51 AM EST up reply actions

this seems like it would be an AF type move

Beltran is being extremely undervalued I believe.

by Dbullsfan on Dec 19, 2011 11:27 AM EST up reply actions

This would be a great pickup for the lineup.

And can afford to keep his knees healthy by not playing him on the turf and DHing at home.

by jtmorgan on Dec 19, 2011 12:19 PM EST up reply actions

Nice quick read on sac bunts

http://highheatstats.blogspot.com/2011/12/sacrifice-bunts-horrible-decision-by.html

I'm not a fanboy, I'm an awesome dude

by Jason Collette on Dec 19, 2011 8:52 AM EST reply actions

As i mentioned Saturday, some here felt the Rays could have mabe the same deal for Shields the Pads did

I dunno. I think the Pads taking Volquez was a must. The Rays have no use or want for him as he isn’t very good and is already arby2

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by sternfan1 on Dec 19, 2011 8:56 AM EST reply actions

Reds were entertaining the idea of using Volquez in the back end of the pen

That would have been the use here. Shields would have been one less year of control for the Reds which likely means the return package could have not been what the Padres got for him. In the long run, I really like the deal for San Diego if Grandal hits his projections, Alonso becomes serviceable, and Boxberger becomes their next Adams/Gregerson type guy.

I'm not a fanboy, I'm an awesome dude

by Jason Collette on Dec 19, 2011 9:07 AM EST up reply actions

Volquez will pitch great in Petco and get traded for more prospects when his value is highest

Brilliant trade by SD

by Ben Tumbling on Dec 19, 2011 9:10 AM EST up reply actions

Volquez has positive value you realize, given that he was a non-tender candidate

by benderbrodriguez on Dec 19, 2011 12:33 PM EST up reply actions

Or non-tenderable rather

by benderbrodriguez on Dec 19, 2011 12:33 PM EST up reply actions

I don't want Beltran unless he gets that mole removed. Won't be able to take 162 of it.

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 Dec 19, 2011 9:26 AM EST reply actions

2 of Rizzo/Alonso/Dacker/Guzman/Blanks for Davis or Niems plz.

by rglass44 on Dec 19, 2011 9:30 AM EST reply actions

The hype around Rizzo's availability is making me doubt Davis or Niemz is enough

by Ben Tumbling on Dec 19, 2011 9:33 AM EST up reply actions

The only thing that might push his value down

is that he struggled in limited time with the big league club. Im high on him though, his home runs have increased every year in the minors and think he hit something like 26 in 97 games at AAA last year.

Plus he is only 22!

by OneTonneBaby on Dec 19, 2011 9:44 AM EST up reply actions

If we get two

SD is probably going to want Guyer or a similar player that fits their OF better. They clearly want to give a full time spot to Fuld!!

by MakeitRayn on Dec 19, 2011 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

Might take a Colome type throw in with Davis/Niems

by benderbrodriguez on Dec 19, 2011 12:33 PM EST up reply actions

yeah. the throw-in depends on which 2 you net.

by rglass44 on Dec 19, 2011 12:54 PM EST up reply actions

Rizzo and Jesus

Jesus for now, Rizzo for the future. That leaves the team with DH still to fill or just allow Joyce, Zo, and Guyer to fill 2 positions.

by MakeitRayn on Dec 19, 2011 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

i like it. we also have miranda as well to be a place-holder.

by rglass44 on Dec 19, 2011 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

#servicetimechamps

Nevin Ashley still breaths and moves, right?

by MakeitRayn on Dec 19, 2011 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

I meant leslie Anderson

crap

by MakeitRayn on Dec 19, 2011 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

Yes he is crap

by Ben Tumbling on Dec 19, 2011 1:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

lol

by mr. maniac on Dec 19, 2011 1:06 PM EST up reply actions

i think there would definitely be a benefit to him spending some time in durham learning #theraysway.

by rglass44 on Dec 19, 2011 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

I've long said that many of the Rays could benefit from the addition of Jesus.

@RealNolenBailey

by Hatfield on Dec 19, 2011 1:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Guzman could be a very interesting pick-up and could probably be had for cash or a C prospect

If the Pads keep Alonso and Rizzo, Guzman is the odd man out. Always a .300 hitter in the minors with a 15% K rate, he hit very well in 271 AB’s last year. Small sample but his splits and situational hitting were equally impressive in a very tough place to hit. Might not have enough power and at 27 may not be the long term answer but one never knows. His defense seems adequate at 1st, although most of his minor league experience has been at 3rd base.

by budman3 on Dec 19, 2011 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

his impressive 2011 was on the heels of a .360 babip and he's projected for a kotch-like 10 HR next season, pass.

"I don't always post off-topic, but when I do, I post at http://ottotd.com" - $tinky $tu

by pudieron89 on Dec 19, 2011 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

He won't give you the power you may want but to acquire him for basically nothing is at least a start to filling the need.

by budman3 on Dec 19, 2011 7:28 PM EST up reply actions

Rizzo value

When Jim Thome was brought up by the Indians, once in 1991 as a 21 year old and in 1992 as a 21/22 year old he hit a combined: .228/.285/.330 with 3 HR in 235 PAs.

I would take a risk on Rizzo but don’t see why the Padres wouldn’t at least hold on to him in AAA. Long season, Alonso could turn out to be Kotchman Jr and Rizzo could be Thome Jr. Or, injuries could open the door for him.

I think the risk of holding on to Rizzo outweighs anything the Padres could get for him this winter. As they say, sometimes the best deals are the ones you don’t make.

by MrNegative1 on Dec 19, 2011 10:28 AM EST reply actions

And if the Rays do obtain this Lou Gehrig Jr as some here suggest, would you turn 1B over to him?

Not i, and i highly doubt Friedman would as he always states deals he makes are for the present, but heavy on the future

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by sternfan1 on Dec 19, 2011 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

Well to be fair, other than the Garza deal, every trade he's made has made the team equal or better in the immediate future too

by benderbrodriguez on Dec 19, 2011 12:34 PM EST up reply actions

Just a thought

Move Joyce to 1st, see what Arizona’s asking price is for Parra. An OF of Jennings/Upton/Parra would be near stallionarish.

I'm not a fanboy, I'm an awesome dude

by Jason Collette on Dec 19, 2011 11:54 AM EST reply actions

I don't think Parra is good enough to be in our OF over Guyer/Mahtook (eventually)

by benderbrodriguez on Dec 19, 2011 12:35 PM EST up reply actions

For it to be worth acquiring him I mean

by benderbrodriguez on Dec 19, 2011 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

agreed

by rglass44 on Dec 19, 2011 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

and this. would bump Guyer out, it seems like a mostly lateral move except we'd have to give up a B/B+ prospect. no thanks.

"I don't always post off-topic, but when I do, I post at http://ottotd.com" - $tinky $tu

by pudieron89 on Dec 19, 2011 12:40 PM EST up reply actions

stallionairish*

"I don't always post off-topic, but when I do, I post at http://ottotd.com" - $tinky $tu

by pudieron89 on Dec 19, 2011 12:40 PM EST up reply actions

The issue I have with Rizzo is that it doesn't help (much) the 2012 club.

Rizzo would start the year in the minors, so the Rays would still have to get another 1b.

by mr. maniac on Dec 19, 2011 11:55 AM EST reply actions

Why would he start the year in the minors?

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by Steve Slowinski on Dec 19, 2011 11:59 AM EST up reply actions

#servicetimechamps

I'm not a fanboy, I'm an awesome dude

by Jason Collette on Dec 19, 2011 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

You type faster

by Ben Tumbling on Dec 19, 2011 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

Because he isn't MLB ready?

Lets see how he does in the International league. Judging from his MLB time last year, he wasn’t close to ready. His K rates in the minors also point to him not being ready. The kid is young, and if he is to reach his true talent level, he needs more time in the minors.

by mr. maniac on Dec 19, 2011 12:03 PM EST up reply actions

I get that he struggled in the majors last year.

But I don’t see what more time in Triple-A is going to help him with. 20% k rate in Triple-A, with great plate discipline and power. Unless there’s some reason to believe his swing is messed up and will never translate to the majors (in which case, he becomes a much riskier bet anyway), I don’t see what else he has to do in the minors.

I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously.
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by Steve Slowinski on Dec 19, 2011 12:15 PM EST up reply actions

In the minor leagues, Ks are much more important than in MLB.

They are a prime sign of weakness and that the player has significant risk. If he is hitting so well in the minor leagues with a still fairly high K rate (21-22%), that shows that he probably isn’t ready (or worse, that he has some hole in his swing or approach).

For example, I would consider Yonder Alonso more ready than Rizzo. In the minors, Alonso was striking out around less than 15%.

Another 1B prospect was Eric Hosmer of the Royals, if we are looking for a guy with great power. Hosmer consistently stuck out in the low teen in the minor leagues.

Jesus Montero has been sticking out in the teens in the minors.

These are just some examples I am trying to bring up. I’m not saying Rizzo is far away, but that he could probably use a few months in Durham to get his Ks down to the mid-teens before being called up.

by mr. maniac on Dec 19, 2011 12:24 PM EST up reply actions