The Rays Tank: Retired Devil Rays Edition

by Erik Hahmann on Dec 21, 2011 8:01 AM EST

Toby Hall officially retired from the game yesterday. If you're like me you weren't aware that Hall hadn't already retired. He spent the 2011 season with the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League. His last MLB at bat came in 2008 with the White Sox in 2008. He spent seven seasons with the Rays, playing in 586 games while amassing a line of .262/.298/.382. He made a little over $5 million in his time in Tampa Bay; pretty good considering the performance. His team record for games played by a catcher should stand for sometime. See ya, Toby

via www.blujay.com

-Over at Baseball Prospectus Ben Lindbergh takes an interesting look at just how difficult it's become to be a successful General Manager, appropriately titled "Keeping Up with the Friedmans."

-From MLB Trade Rumors, apparently Roy Oswalt has told teams he's willing to take a one year deal, which certainly increases the number of potential suitors. Teams such as the Yankees and Red Sox, each with glaring rotation vacancies, could use a veteran like Oswalt.

-Also from MLBTR, the Red Sox may have interest in free agent outfielder Andruw Jones. The Yankees still seem like the favorites to sign him, though. It looks like he'll be staying in the AL East one way or another. He can still mash left handed pitching, posting a .400 wOBA last season against southpaws.

-I know we have some hoop-heads out there. Podcast maven, Carson Cistulli, has a discussion with ESPN NBA analyst, and all around basketball nerd, Tom Haberstroh at FanGraphs. Mr. Haberstroh is also pretty well versed in baseball, having been introduced to the world of sabermetrics by our own Ryan Glass while the two attended Wake Forrest University.

-If you are a subscriber to SiriusXM, Collette will be on MLB Network Radio tonight at 9:30 ET representing the site as he and host Mike Ferrin break down what the Rays have done so far and what they may do before camp starts.

-Mike Fast looks at how teams utilize the hit and run strategy. The Rays tied with the Angels in 2011 for highest frequency and Maddon used the strategy three times as often as he did in 2009 and nearly twice as often as he did in 2010.

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Comments

This is about the only time i'm glad there's no DH in the NL>

So many players with so few jobs make it easier for the Rays to get their guys at a reasonable cost.

Add the 16 NL teams to the mix and it wouldn’t be nearly as easy

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Dec 21, 2011 8:18 AM EST reply actions

Solid observation

Hanselman covered some more options here http://theraysway.com/articles/panhandling-for-a-rays-designated-hitter

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

by Jason Collette on Dec 21, 2011 8:35 AM EST up reply actions

Back ar you...enjoyed your work on the TV ratings and MLB teams

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Dec 21, 2011 8:50 AM EST up reply actions

Overheard on MLB radio this morning

“Rays should deal Niemann to Jays for Lind”

I can only imagine what AF or AA were thinking when they heard that. Lind just signed that new deal and is due $5M each of the next three seasons with options at 7, 7.5, and 8 or 3.5 in buyouts after that.

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

by Jason Collette on Dec 21, 2011 9:08 AM EST reply actions

Actually just 2 seasons more at $5mil--looking at his stats

you wonder if ’09 ever returns

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Dec 21, 2011 9:24 AM EST up reply actions

Coffee hasn't kicked in...

I’m assuming the team would have to buy out all 3 team options which makes him $13.5M over the next 2 seasons if he completely sucks and they decide not to exercise them.

09 had a nice 19% HR/FB rate but even a return to 17% in 2011 only got him to 26 in a park that helps HR hitters. Given Toronto views themselves on an even playing field, I don’t see them making interdivisional trades but anything is possible. Niemann’s flyball style is about the last type of pitcher I’d want working in that park.

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

by Jason Collette on Dec 21, 2011 9:28 AM EST up reply actions

Plus..

You put Morrow and Niemann in the same rotation – 2 guys that have never seen the other side of 180 innings in a season.

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

by Jason Collette on Dec 21, 2011 9:29 AM EST up reply actions

BA Rays top 10

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2012/2612742.html

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Dec 21, 2011 9:35 AM EST reply actions

interesting

Bex jumps 8 spots form 15 to 8
Sale falls out of the top 10 as does O’Conner

Sternfan…….batter up

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

by Jason Collette on Dec 21, 2011 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

Derek Dietrich 1B 2014

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Dec 21, 2011 9:43 AM EST up reply actions

I'm laughing at Upton as the projected RF in 2015

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

by Jason Collette on Dec 21, 2011 9:48 AM EST up reply actions

They stick to a set format for that

Assuming teams re-sign everyone, only in-house guys, etc. They stopped doing them because of things like Upton in RF in 2015 for the Rays but heard from a lot of people who wanted them back for some reason

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Dec 21, 2011 9:58 AM EST up reply actions

Yea, I remember

It’s a tough balance because you can’t project who could be there but with some clubs, you can certainly project who isn’t staying around.

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

by Jason Collette on Dec 21, 2011 9:59 AM EST up reply actions

fanshot worthy

by rglass44 on Dec 21, 2011 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

Slow is doing it now

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

by Jason Collette on Dec 21, 2011 9:40 AM EST up reply actions

say word

by rglass44 on Dec 21, 2011 9:41 AM EST up reply actions

At least we're finalists

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/12/carlos-beltran-decision-expected-this-week.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Dec 21, 2011 9:35 AM EST reply actions

always a bridesmaid...

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

by pudieron89 on Dec 21, 2011 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

we're very close to PR w/ direct flights!

by rglass44 on Dec 21, 2011 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

if someone makes $12-15mil per they'll charter a damn jet

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Dec 21, 2011 9:42 AM EST up reply actions

with these gas prices?

by rglass44 on Dec 21, 2011 9:44 AM EST up reply actions

If it comes down between the Rays and Jays with Beltran....

….the exchange rate between the US and Canada along with no income tax in Florida could negate any huge difference in what the Jays may offer him.

by budman3 on Dec 21, 2011 11:44 AM EST up reply actions

You do know that the exchange rate is almost par correct?

The two dollars have been around par for the past year.

Big Sexy

Follow KBR and Dewey on Twitter! @KBRandDewey

by King Billy Royal on Dec 21, 2011 2:42 PM EST up reply actions

exchange fees are a pain though, unless he wants to spend all his salary in Canada

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

by pudieron89 on Dec 21, 2011 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

The Jays already pay their guys in US dollars so the point isn't really valid

Big Sexy

Follow KBR and Dewey on Twitter! @KBRandDewey

by King Billy Royal on Dec 21, 2011 4:00 PM EST up reply actions

welp, there you go.

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

by pudieron89 on Dec 21, 2011 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

see my lower point regardless.

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

by pudieron89 on Dec 21, 2011 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed on the income tax issue

That is a huge advantage for the Rays. As much as I tease the Rays they have a great young squad and should be a force in the AL Beast for years. What an insane division we all play in!

Big Sexy

Follow KBR and Dewey on Twitter! @KBRandDewey

by King Billy Royal on Dec 21, 2011 5:43 PM EST up reply actions

Did Dewey quit posting after the Rays post he made a year ago?

by mr. maniac on Dec 21, 2011 11:46 PM EST up reply actions

I have no idea what Rays post you are referring to

Nor do I care as I am not Dewey. Dewey got banned due to his feud with Sickels but as far as I know it wasn’t due to any one post.

Big Sexy

Follow KBR and Dewey on Twitter! @KBRandDewey

by King Billy Royal on Dec 21, 2011 11:56 PM EST up reply actions

you know we bring these things up and I'm 100% positive that both GMs and agents are aware of these facts and inform their clients when negotiating.

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

by pudieron89 on Dec 21, 2011 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

No income tax is a nice advantage though

Big Sexy

Follow KBR and Dewey on Twitter! @KBRandDewey

by King Billy Royal on Dec 21, 2011 2:43 PM EST up reply actions

Look at my two Cleveland boys Bortnick and Dietrich soaking up those coveted best of awards

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Dec 21, 2011 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

meant for Imperials post^^

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Dec 21, 2011 9:40 AM EST up reply actions

There is a mystery team for Beltran right after the news about Andruw Jones came out?

Ugh….

The good news is, the Yanks are dumb and if they sign Beltran, they will either let him blow out his knees in the OF and bench Gardner/Swisher or they will send Montero down again.

Under construction

by joeybw on Dec 21, 2011 12:35 PM EST reply actions

With projected arbitration and small raises to those minimum salaried players(and with no trades), the Rays are going to be right around 48-49 million.

If they move Davis(1.5) or Neimann(about 3 million),and wthout a 1st baseman and DH yet, that leaves maybe 11-14 million or so, if the Rays intend on capping out at 60 million. Signing Beltran for 10 million could create a semi-platoon with Joyce (one plays RF and the other DH’s). . Against tough lefties, Joyce could sit and be replaced by Guyer/Canzler at DH. If they were to move BJ at any given point, Beltran could play RF and Joyce LF with Jennings in CF. The Rays would than add a veteran 1st baseman at around 2-4 million dollars.

by budman3 on Dec 21, 2011 2:30 PM EST reply actions

Friedman believes in what fits best for the team

If they can afford Beltran, they are going to sign him. Then they will worry about 1B. He doesn’t worry about 2 moves at once, he sees an opportunity to make the team better and he takes it and then he moves on.

Truth is, I see Damon being our DH again and I have no clue who winds up playing 1B.

Under construction

by joeybw on Dec 21, 2011 2:42 PM EST up reply actions

If the Cards decide to sign Crisp, I think there is a decent chance he falls into AF's lap.

by budman3 on Dec 21, 2011 2:50 PM EST up reply actions

Trade Davis to the Padres for Jesus Guzman and catcher Jason Haggerty

Than trade anything or money to the A’s for ….wait for it….my favorite cheap replacement for Kotchman…Daric Barton. Nice platoon situation at first with those two(Barton for late inning defense when he doesn’t start.

by budman3 on Dec 21, 2011 3:09 PM EST reply actions

Hagerty had a serious drop off once he got to AA

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=hagert001jas

I need to see what he can do now that he’s age appropriate and at a neutral level. Not to mention, he didn’t even make Goldstein’s top 20 in what is not a very deep Padres system.

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

by Jason Collette on Dec 21, 2011 3:38 PM EST up reply actions

True, but he wouldn't be the first guy who struggled in his first half year at a higher level.

Switch hitting catchers who have good averages, OBP, maybe some pop and can play defense could be a good pick-up for a year down the road.

by budman3 on Dec 21, 2011 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

The Padres system isn't deep?

It is considered the deepest.

by mr. maniac on Dec 21, 2011 11:47 PM EST up reply actions

Please stop wanting Barton

I beg of you. And it’s the A’s, they have more 1B than the Padres. At least Allen and Carter have power potential.

Under construction

by joeybw on Dec 21, 2011 4:03 PM EST up reply actions

Something wrong with requiring superior defense at first?

I’m all for power too but this the Rays we are talking about. Team success is based on defense and pitching. Yet all I here everyone clamoring for is a big time bat at first. Are we settling for a guy who can’t field or expecting Joyce to become an average 1st baseman while learning on the job? Or bringing Kotchman back? Barton is Kotchman…only 2 million dollars cheaper on a 1 year deal(4 million if it’s two years).

by budman3 on Dec 21, 2011 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

yes budman3, stop wanting your irrational terrible player and start planning on how many of our top prospects we should trade for GIO GONZALES!!!

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

by pudieron89 on Dec 21, 2011 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

Hmm, I wonder if that was sarcastic, it's so hard to tell

But if you wanna bring that up, I kept saying over and over that we should get a hitter, not Gio.

And if you think Barton is the answer for us then you shouldn’t be insulting me.

Under construction

by joeybw on Dec 21, 2011 5:47 PM EST up reply actions

He may be the answer for 2012 as a one year stop gap.

At least as good as Kotchman returning. And many here think that could actually be the way this winter plays out. And if you have paid attention, I have always suggested that acquiring a young 1st baseman this winter that would be ready to impact the team come 2013 seems just as likely an outcome.

by budman3 on Dec 21, 2011 5:55 PM EST up reply actions