Rosterbation - my final draft

by joeybw on Dec 2, 2011 1:59 PM EST

After this post, I will let Friedman take over. I am doing this because we have a better idea of potential targets and he already got us a C and MR. Here goes. And yes, I know, I will be insulted for this, don't care.

1. Desmond Jennings LF

2. B.J Upton CF

3. Evan Longoria 3B

4. Ben Zobrist 2B

5. Matt Joyce RF

6. Johnny Damon DH

7. Yonder Alonso 1B

8. Sean Rodriguez SS

9. Jose Molina C

Bench: Sam Fuld OF, Reid Brignac SS/2B, Brandon Guyer OF, Jose Lobaton C....sorry Elliot, but you gone

Rotation

1. James Shields

2. David Price

3. Jeremy Hellickson

4. Matt Moore

5. Jeff Neimann

Bullpen

Alex Torres

Josh Leuke

Matt Bush

Off season moves:

Wade Davis traded for Yonder Alonso

Damon resigned

That's really it, theres Friedman's 1B and DH and sure, depth is nice but I think that would be the best pen he can role out there.

Damon should cost about the same, 5-6 million

Davis cost more than Alonso, not much but I think it's 2 million, helps pay for Damon

Bush, we have a power lefty in McGee, I want a righty that lights up the radar gun

Sorry Cobb, but even with Davis dealt and Torres in the pen, you are still #6 on my list, Moore is simply better and Kazmir sucked when David became good, we never seem to have 2 lefties.

Thanks for 2011, Kotchman, I personally don't want to have hope he can do it again in 2012. I want Yonder.

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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Comments

I thought the consensis was that Moore wasn't starting with the team because of service-time issues?

Not that I’m opposed to him starting with the team, but I thought that was a main concern with that.

by TBRaysfan009 on Dec 2, 2011 3:21 PM EST reply actions

I refuse to believe that until it happens

I will pretend Moore will break camp with the team until he is sent down to AAA. And hopefully, he will never be sent down.

Under construction

by joeybw on Dec 2, 2011 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

I'm with you

by AndrewTorrez on Dec 2, 2011 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

+1

But it means one less year with Moore. So i wouldn’t mind seeing him after all-star break. I just hope Friedman works his magic and sign Moore Wade Davis-like extension covering first of his FA year with club options. 0.5m-1.0m-2m-3m-5m-7m(club option)-9.5m(club option)-13m(club option, FA year)

by Patrick Relano Kim on Dec 3, 2011 3:13 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

i think this is way too optimistic. moore is much more highly regarded at this point than wade was.

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

by pudieron89 on Dec 3, 2011 9:55 AM EST up reply actions

Yes!!!!!!!!

I made it!!! Even cheaper than my optimistic perfect world!!!
8/37m lol

by Patrick Relano Kim on Dec 9, 2011 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

wow, good call brah.

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

by pudieron89 on Dec 9, 2011 5:23 PM EST up reply actions

Sweet, dude!

this isn't DRB
you don’t get a free pass for acting like a douchebag.
Derp
by Pikachu on Dec 11, 2011 2:44 PM CST up reply actions

by AlohaSox on Sep 28, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 11, 2011 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

I would love to sign Moore to an extension and have him open the year in the majors

but I think it is more realistic that he starts in Durham and at some point when his Super 2 or whatever passes another P will get dealt/hurt and he will come up (hopefully by than Archer will be ready in case of injury or Torres can be added from the bullpen to the rotation).

Here is mine, I think you are along the right track that it will be a pretty quiet off-season

I think the big battle in ST is going to be between Guyer and Rodriguez, and that will in turn affect where Zobrist plays.

I think
LF Jennings
CF Upton
3B Longoria
2B/RF Zobrist
1B Joyce
DH Damon
2B/RF Rodriguez/Guyer
C Molina
SS Brignac

Bench Fuld, EJ, Lobaton/Chirinos (another ST battle), Canzler (or ST Invite type 1B/DH type)

Rotation
Shields
Price
Helly
Cobb
Niemann

Pen
Farnsworth
Gomes
Mcgee
Torres
Davis
Lueke
Howell/Ramos/Bush/DDLR

I listed 26 spots because I have no clue whether they will go with the extra arm or the extra bench guy, so either EJ doesn’t have a spot or the last pen guy won’t have a spot.

by Dbullsfan on Dec 2, 2011 3:27 PM EST reply actions

this is the most likely scenario right here.

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

by pudieron89 on Dec 2, 2011 3:47 PM EST up reply actions

Why would you think Joyce at first?

I haven’t heard anything about them even trying Joyce out at first

by StylezMcKoolaid on Dec 2, 2011 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

its been tossed around rumors bef'ore

he has the power profile to fit as a 1B and while not a bad defender he isn’t exactly a plus OF with the glove and isn’t as good as Zobrist in RF, so unless we bring in a 1B our best defensive line-up would be with Rodriguez at 2B and Zoby in RF, I just wonder if Guyer can show enough with the bat to warrant playing over Rodriguez.

by Dbullsfan on Dec 2, 2011 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

If only Guyer was a left and this whole 3 player platoon would be done with.

I think Guyer could win that job, but I think it’s also likely SRod beats out Brignac for the SS starting job. My real question in that scenario is if SRod beats out Brignac at SS does Elliot beat out Brignac for the UI role.

by jtmorgan on Dec 2, 2011 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

I might be alone but I think Joe Maddon's son

Is going to have a nice bounce back year good enough offensively to let his glove play

by Dbullsfan on Dec 2, 2011 4:52 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

StylezMcKoolaid reporting no information regarding Joyce transition to first!

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

by pudieron89 on Dec 2, 2011 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

I see Rodriguez getting the most PAs at SS, not Brignac.

MLBdirt
DraysBay
Figure Filbert

by jcmitchell on Dec 2, 2011 4:12 PM EST up reply actions

lots more right-handed pitchers

by AndrewTorrez on Dec 2, 2011 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

I think this is almost entirely right (pending additional acquisitions)

1. I think the Rays are in on a bunch of bats (Morrison being the obvious example) based on AF’s public statements and common sense;

2. I think Cobb starts the season at AAA to rehab.

3. I think Lueke is in the Howell/Ramos/De la Rosa/Buente category; I don’t see him as a lock for the pen.

4. Agree on Torres in the bullpen, Brignac as the starting SS, and the bench (including EJ as the 26th man).

5. I think the Rays will probably get at least one more bullpen arm, and maybe a high-leverage guy (Thornton). I also don’t see them non-tendering Peralta, so we’re talking:

Farnsworth (CL), Peralta (SU), FA (SU), McGee, Gomes, Torres, and then a rotating spot to Howell/Ramos/Lueke/De la Rosa/Buente, and eventually, Matt Bush.

by AndrewTorrez on Dec 2, 2011 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

You do realize Super 2 has been pushed back, right?

So the Rays would have to wait till late in the year? The Rays will probably just say “screw it” and bring him up.

by mr. maniac on Dec 2, 2011 6:14 PM EST up reply actions

if we had no other options id agree

But how many wins better will the rays be with Moore compared to.Cobb or Niemann I don’t think its enough to warrent losing a year from him later, if the alternative was someone like sonny it would be different

by Dbullsfan on Dec 2, 2011 6:50 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

this

I AM THE MONSTER - The big SCARY monsta

by sc_monsta1015 on Dec 2, 2011 7:12 PM EST up reply actions

The Rays traded away Garza to give Hellickson a spot.

This isn’t something new.

by mr. maniac on Dec 3, 2011 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

if that had been after 2009 yes

but Hellickson dominated AAA late 2009 and than they sent him back for almost all of 2010. I imagine we will see a very similar timeline actually with Moore as the Rays used with Hellickson.

by Dbullsfan on Dec 4, 2011 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

I beg to differ.

In a year the Rays will have a very good chance to get into the playoffs, I dount they would keep him in the minors till late in the year.

by mr. maniac on Dec 4, 2011 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

This is my exact lineup and everything, excepting one minor move.

I expect us to sign some kind of right-handed reliever like Luis Ayala, so on my list he slides in Bush’s spot. Other than that, this is a winning team and we should expect more than the ALDS with this.

I AM THE MONSTER - The big SCARY monsta

by sc_monsta1015 on Dec 2, 2011 4:23 PM EST reply actions

Small difference but Alonso has a MLB draft deal so he'll only make a little less than Davis next year.

by jtmorgan on Dec 2, 2011 4:48 PM EST reply actions

Since Kotchman worked out so well but the Rays may balk at a multi-year 6-8 million dollar deal to bring him back..

..and may not be comfortable with Joyce at first, Daric Barton seems like a solid replacement. I think the A’s may non-tender him(or get what they can for him this winter) but a deal that includes Brian Fuentes might help the Rays. A’s would like to move his 5 million dollar contract and may accept a decent(not great) prospect for both. Maybe a guy like Barnese or Ty Morrison could get the A’s to take back 2-3 million of Fuentes’ salary also.
Fuentes could be a useful set-up man(and high leverage guy) and be experienced insurance if Farnsworth has health issues. Still a good reliever who had a good second half of 2011.

by budman3 on Dec 2, 2011 5:20 PM EST reply actions

You deserve some rest after this great work!

My d***ie is leaking!

by SRQman on Dec 2, 2011 8:28 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Heck yes he does.

I AM THE MONSTER - The big SCARY monsta

by sc_monsta1015 on Dec 2, 2011 9:11 PM EST up reply actions

If you could get JD Drew or Damon at the same price who would you take ?

by Moore Guerreri and Cheese on Dec 3, 2011 4:06 AM EST reply actions

Damon

by Dbullsfan on Dec 3, 2011 11:20 AM EST up reply actions

same

I AM THE MONSTER - The big SCARY monsta

by sc_monsta1015 on Dec 3, 2011 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

Same here...

It’s cheesy, but I think he’s a better player for the morale of the team than JD Drew, and I think they offer similar returns on the field.

by Snarfalicious on Dec 3, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

Not that we would have to worry about the field.

But yeah, Damon was here last year and we saw what he brought to the team. I wouldn’t mind 1 more year of him.

I AM THE MONSTER - The big SCARY monsta

by sc_monsta1015 on Dec 3, 2011 12:29 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I guess I should have said "at the plate."

But you know what I meant. And I agree, he was clutch at times, and even though he’s not great, I’d be fine with him at DH again, as long as we found a way to get more power at the 1B position to help mask it a bit.

by Snarfalicious on Dec 3, 2011 2:29 PM EST up reply actions

Right.

I don’t expect him to have as many at-bats as last year, with Guyer crushing lefties. He still brings a lot to the team.

I AM THE MONSTER - The big SCARY monsta

by sc_monsta1015 on Dec 3, 2011 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

so joey a fanpost to propose one move?

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Dec 3, 2011 11:23 AM EST reply actions 3 recs

It's 2, thank you very much

Under construction

by joeybw on Dec 3, 2011 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

So rude to put down another great piece of work on this phenomenal site!

My d***ie is leaking!

by SRQman on Dec 4, 2011 12:57 AM EST up reply actions

As for 1 of my only 2 moves...

Johnny Damon conceded that his fate is likely tied to Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman in an interview with the Boston Globe.
“I haven’t even talked to them just because our GM [Andrew Friedman] is a free agent,” Damon said. "He’s not going to sign me and then leave. If he goes to Houston, his hometown, he’s going to try and bring me along with him. That’s where my waiting game is.‘’ Damon, 38, hit .261 with 16 homers and 73 RBI for the Rays last season, where he was primary used at designated hitter. He’s not expected to receive interest from teams other than the Rays or Astros this offseason.

Well, if he is being truthful about landing where Friedman does, I personally have another reason to hope AF stays. I know not everyone agrees but he was a solid and clutch hitter for us and we can do a lot worse.

Under construction

by joeybw on Dec 3, 2011 3:08 PM EST reply actions

I like Damon.

But I first and foremost want a better hitter at DH. I’ll be decently happy if all the options are exhausted and the Rays get outbid and they end up with Damon again in 2012, but I don’t understand why he would be anyone’s #1 choice.

Am I the only one flagging this guy?
Seriously, do we have to wait for the money shot or a "F*** THE SOXXXXXX!" before we ban him? Doubleteapot… BAN HIM!!

by AlohaSox on Sep 28, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 3, 2011 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

Well outside of Ortiz who will make too much, I don't see who would be a fit.

I really hope we trade for LoMo or Yonder for 1B but I am fine with Damon at DH, although, teams make him look really bad inter league.

Under construction

by joeybw on Dec 3, 2011 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

Anyone can DH.

That makes anyone the Rays can afford a “fit.”

For me, if BJ stays and Joyce doesn’t move to 1b, Joyce should be the DH so that Guyer can start. I’ll trade Damon for Guyer, get similar offensive numbers, way better defense, and save millions at the same time.

Am I the only one flagging this guy?
Seriously, do we have to wait for the money shot or a "F*** THE SOXXXXXX!" before we ban him? Doubleteapot… BAN HIM!!

by AlohaSox on Sep 28, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 3, 2011 7:51 PM EST up reply actions

That's what we thought Burrell and the White Sox thought with Dunn

Wow, when you think about those 2, the Burrell signing actually looks good in comparison.

Anyway, Joyce can PROBABLY DH but we know Damon can and we aren’t really sure what Guyer will do with nearly an everyday job. Maybe, we will see more of him this year if they decide to keep Zobrist at 2B all season and still bench Joyce vs most lefties.

Under construction

by joeybw on Dec 3, 2011 8:16 PM EST up reply actions

I meant in theory.

I think the difference here is that you want a proven DH, and I don’t necessarily need that. I’d prefer to have more roster mobility and not clog the DH spot with a guy who can no longer field.

Am I the only one flagging this guy?
Seriously, do we have to wait for the money shot or a "F*** THE SOXXXXXX!" before we ban him? Doubleteapot… BAN HIM!!

by AlohaSox on Sep 28, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 3, 2011 9:12 PM EST up reply actions

why is he tied to friedsy like that? first i've heard of any sort of relationship between the two gents.

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

by pudieron89 on Dec 3, 2011 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

I don't know but

Astros are still an NL team in 2012 and he seems like a horrible fit for them. Then again, if he doesn’t go to Houston, they are going with Lee in LF so I guess bad defense either way for them.

Under construction

by joeybw on Dec 3, 2011 4:17 PM EST up reply actions

Something should happen in the next few days...

I’d love to see a big deal go down with the Reds that could land us Alonso and Grandal that wouldn’t involve Shields. That could really turn the offensive outlook for this franchise in the future.

Would Wade Davis, Alex Cobb/Torres possibly do it? We’d still have our elite starters, and either Torres or Cobb as that 6th starter. What do you think the Reds would say to that? Do we give up too much or too little?

by Snarfalicious on Dec 4, 2011 12:33 PM EST reply actions

It would be hard to give up that depth.

I AM THE MONSTER - The big SCARY monsta

by sc_monsta1015 on Dec 4, 2011 1:29 PM EST up reply actions

I'd rather just go after Grandal.

Catcher in the long term is the bigger need, and only wanting 1 player would be cheaper: Niemann or Davis plus maybe a throw-in (Ruggiano, etc.). 1st base the Rays could possibly fill internally in the next few years, or by resigning Kotchman.

by TBRaysfan009 on Dec 4, 2011 2:44 PM EST up reply actions

Fill internally with who?

Canzler maybe if he hits well enough, Vogt doesnt have enough power for 1st. After that really no one. Seitzer and Malm are the only 2 other notables and those 2 are around A ball level.Unless there is someone I am forgetting, the Rays dont have anyone right now. The only other idea I can think of is someone changing positions like Joyce or some have said Zobrist.

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

by thedudeofdudes on Dec 4, 2011 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

Henry Wrigley, Phil Wunderlich (will be at AAA and AA respectivally), plus the guys you mentioned.

Not the best guys on paper, but who knows. Plus, I meant 2013 on, 2012 I’m assuming they’re gonna resign Kotchman.

by TBRaysfan009 on Dec 4, 2011 7:23 PM EST up reply actions

Henry Wrigley is way overrated.

Dude doesnt walk and doesnt hit for high averages. He may hit for some power, but I doubt he every starts a game in the majors. Wunderlich probly starts in Charlotte and same thing as Wrigley, doesnt walk much and doesnt really hit for a high average, besides HV when his BABIP was .389

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

by thedudeofdudes on Dec 4, 2011 7:38 PM EST up reply actions