The Time Is Now For Jorge

by sternfan1 on Dec 26, 2011 10:57 AM EST

The other day i mentioned Jorge Posada as a player who could help the Rays in 2012. Tommy Rancel has also entertained those thoughts and now many reports have come out that the Rays are in fact interested in him along with the Orioles and Phillies. His father has confirmed the Rays interest, stating they see him as a part time DH/C/1B type.

Let's be clear Posada isn't going to be a full time or even a platoon at any of these positions. He becomes the 25th player on the roster, replacing Elliot Johnson in that role from last season.

Here's how it works. It appears Ben Zobrist will be the full time second baseman in '12, allowing the Rays to use Johnson's spot for more of an offensive one, rather than mostly the UTL infield role Elliot played. The Rays appear to be going with a catching tandem of Jose Molina and Jose Lobaton. Neither have made headlines with their bats. Now with Posada on board and we're trailing in the late innigs who'd you rather see hit for the catcher, or either of our short stops Posada or Elliot Johnson? Last season from May 7th till the end of the year Posada had a 268/348/415 756 OPS, not too shabby for a bench player. Even though his line v LHP was awful last season he's still a lifetime 852 OPS versus LHP.

Posada would not interfere in the Rays pursuit of a full time first baseman, or designated hitter, he'd be a complimentary role player on a team that should be looking for offense.

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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Yes , Yes it is.

time for him to hang em up after being cut somewhere in spring training.

by Peter Piontek on Dec 26, 2011 11:19 AM EST reply actions

Posada will either be overpaid or he will retire

And no way we should overpay him, I prefer Damon at DH and I don’t want Posada anywhere on the field.

Under construction

by joeybw on Dec 26, 2011 11:50 AM EST reply actions

Did you read how Posada replaces the bat of Johnson as the 25th player?

He won’t be on the field much with his glove

As it stands and as some here see it our bench would look like: Brignac, Lobaton, Fuld and Elliot Johnson—are you kidding me?

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by sternfan1 on Dec 26, 2011 12:25 PM EST up reply actions

How come Jim Thome and Jason Giambi continue playing for a fraction of

what they got in their heyday?

Think Posada might like returning to Yankee Stadium and showing Girardi how wrong he might have been?

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by sternfan1 on Dec 26, 2011 12:27 PM EST up reply actions

And how much would you be willing to give Posada for those 9 games at Yankee Stadium?

Look, his offense is obviously better than Elliot but you are talking about a PH’er/everyone is hurt, have to put him in. How much do you pay a guy for that? I don’t think nearly close to what Jorge would ask for.

Under construction

by joeybw on Dec 26, 2011 12:35 PM EST up reply actions

It will be interesting to see if Posada is willing to take Thome-like money...

then again some team just agreed to pay Carlos Beltran more money over the next two years than Kevin Youkilis is going to make

Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss

by Ryan Gilliss on Dec 26, 2011 12:43 PM EST up reply actions

Beltran can still play defense until his knees fall apart

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

by pudieron89 on Dec 26, 2011 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

His knees haven't fallen apart?

He isn’t going to have much choice but to play defense in the NL

Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss

by Ryan Gilliss on Dec 27, 2011 12:04 PM EST up reply actions

the Cardinals, in their infinite wisdom

plan to play Beltran in centerfield.

Yes, the dude who’s been ungodly awful in RF the past three years. Yes, the dude with no knees.

Centerfield. Oh, the hilarity.

by AndrewTorrez on Dec 27, 2011 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

that's why i said until they do?

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

by pudieron89 on Dec 27, 2011 6:14 PM EST up reply actions

Road OPS

2008: .810
2009: .760
2010: .694
2011: .524

That’s a .188/.293/.319 slash line over the past 2 seasons. Take into his account his troubles vs LHP and the fact he’s mostly been a product of his home environment as he’s declined in age, and I’d rather the team not make this move that harkens back to the Devil Rays days.

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

by Jason Collette on Dec 26, 2011 12:58 PM EST reply actions

AGain, i often have to put this disclaimer in my post

Maybe it isn’t what you’d advocate doing, but what will Andrew do?

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by sternfan1 on Dec 26, 2011 1:08 PM EST up reply actions

Ask yourself this

Remove the name and look at the stats. Is this a player you’d be advocating to add to the roster with these faults:

Age
Home/road splits
R/L splits
Defensive liability

When anyone has to make this many excuses to add a player, maybe that player is not worth adding. He hit 11 of his 14 homers at home last season and on true distance alone, five of those are in doubt in Tropicana Field

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

by Jason Collette on Dec 26, 2011 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

I think Posada has a lot of self pride

And the offers he will receive will eventually result in him retiring.

Under construction

by joeybw on Dec 26, 2011 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

also

for a dead pull hitter, those distances are pretty sad.

by AndrewTorrez on Dec 26, 2011 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

If it's road splits you're worried about--say no to Luke Scott

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by sternfan1 on Dec 26, 2011 6:17 PM EST up reply actions

Before last year's injury, his road OPS+ was just at or just below league average for 3 straight seasons

Luke Scott doesn’t thrill me either.

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

by Jason Collette on Dec 27, 2011 9:18 AM EST up reply actions

I would take Elliot Johnson anyday of the week over Posada as the 25th member of the team

I would be very very sad if Posada ever touches a Rays uniform.

by Dbullsfan on Dec 26, 2011 2:00 PM EST reply actions

it's a false comparison anyway

Elliot Johnson isn’t making the 2012 Rays. There are four bench spots: one goes to the catcher (Molina/Lobaton); one goes to the backup shortstop (whichever of Brignac/S-Rod isn’t starting), one goes to super Sam Fuld, and the final one goes to Brandon Guyer. And behind Guyer you’ve got Canzler and Chirinos.

Nobody seems to think that Justin Ruggiano has a spot on the ‘12 Rays; I don’t get why so many people think Elliot Johnson is otherwise a lock to make the team.

by AndrewTorrez on Dec 26, 2011 2:09 PM EST up reply actions

Elliot could make the team if the Rays break camp with a 1B they are happy with

With a Pena-type signing (everyday 1B), AF might choose to go with Elliot over Canzler.

by MakeitRayn on Dec 27, 2011 4:32 AM EST up reply actions

Unless the FO expects Canzler to be the RH'ed platoon guy at 1st base

With a yet to be acquired LH’ed 1st baseman.

by budman3 on Dec 27, 2011 9:17 AM EST up reply actions

At this point, that looks very likely

The RH 1B options on the FA market are non-existent unless one wants to try to have Betemit hit LHP which he has rarely done in his career. Unless someone signs Derrek Lee, there isn’t a RH option for 1B.

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

by Jason Collette on Dec 27, 2011 9:19 AM EST up reply actions

I still like Jesus Guzman in some sort of deal with the Padres

He may be the oddest man out of all the Padres surplus at 1st base. He may be a duplicate of Canzler but he has at least shown he can hit(in a tough park), all be it a half season. I would then use Canzler as a chip in another deal perhaps.

by budman3 on Dec 27, 2011 9:28 AM EST up reply actions

albeit

What could be better than Dan Johnson
hitting .108
Let's trade Reddick for Heyward!

by QW on Sep 28, 2011 9:47 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 27, 2011 9:37 AM EST up reply actions

i'll throw this out there--i think Derek Lee is more coveted by the Rays then they'll let on

and why not?

Good glove, RH power, probably bat 6th in a line up

Jennings

Upton

Longoria

Joyce

Zobrist

Lee

Damon

Molina

Rodriguez

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by sternfan1 on Dec 27, 2011 10:24 AM EST up reply actions

I would be very happy if they could land D. Lee

by Dbullsfan on Dec 27, 2011 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

Yuck.

by mr. maniac on Dec 27, 2011 11:13 PM EST up reply actions

At it stands right now, I feel that E.J. is in the opening day roster.

Despite Guyer being a good choice for the bench, I don’t see the Rays increasing his service clock when B.J. is still around. Once’s he passes the super two point, yes, we may see him moved up from Durham, but until then, I see the Rays giving him as many AB’s down in Durham as possible.

Guyer has a prolonged future with the Rays past his 3 minimum wage years, unlike E.J. (sadly), so I think they would utilize E.J’s infield defense and pinch-running abilities when it’s still a cheap option.

Basically, E.J. makes opening day in my estimation, but falls vicitm to the inevitable roster move later in the season.

by ega05me on Dec 27, 2011 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

Dude, Guyer's not a young prospect.

It’s past time to worry about his service clock. He should be in the majors.

What could be better than Dan Johnson
hitting .108
Let's trade Reddick for Heyward!

by QW on Sep 28, 2011 9:47 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 27, 2011 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

I doubt either Guyer or EJ are on the OD roster but not because of service clock

Speaking of it though, what is the age difference of DJ and Guyer?

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by sternfan1 on Dec 27, 2011 1:42 PM EST up reply actions

Guyer is 9 months older

Why wouldn’t Guyer make the opening day roster?

What could be better than Dan Johnson
hitting .108
Let's trade Reddick for Heyward!

by QW on Sep 28, 2011 9:47 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 27, 2011 1:45 PM EST up reply actions

I'd like to see Guyer playing every day in DUR and mashing

If he does that he’ll force his way back to the Rays

We should sign a veteran bat as our 4th OFer or platoon player, as i said Posada

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Dec 27, 2011 2:07 PM EST up reply actions

He mashed at DUR last season

Why would you make him do it again?

Are you saying you’d rather have Posada on the roster than Guyer?

What could be better than Dan Johnson
hitting .108
Let's trade Reddick for Heyward!

by QW on Sep 28, 2011 9:47 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 27, 2011 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed with SF1

Why not have him getting more AB’s in Durham, playing every day, rather than being a PH/Platoon in the Majors for the first half of the season. It is certainly in the Rays interest to wait before bringing him up if they see him as the replacement of B.J. when Jennings slides out of LF to CF.

Even if you disagree on grounds of wasted talent, there’s nothing the Rays dislike more than relinquishing depth (which they have in Ruggiano/E.J.) for the sake of 1/2 season of relatively small amount of AB’s. We’ve been lucky with injuries, and when players have options, it’s wise to use them and get the playing time.

by ega05me on Dec 27, 2011 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

He should be the everyday RF

Move Joyce off the position to 1b or DH. He will just rot in AAA. He’s a great defender, and he’s likely a better bat than Posada (especially) or Damon at this point.

Frankly, this leave Guyer in AAA talk is irrational, imo.

What could be better than Dan Johnson
hitting .108
Let's trade Reddick for Heyward!

by QW on Sep 28, 2011 9:47 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 27, 2011 2:30 PM EST up reply actions