Russell Branyan released by Arizona this AM

by nittsallgood on May 21, 2011 10:13 AM EDT

Branyan, 35, was stuck in a three-way platoon with Juan Miranda and Xavier Nady at first base. He hit just .210/.290/.339 with one homer in 69 plate appearances, 17 of which came as a pinch-hitter...

Branyan had one pretty successful stint with the Rays one, and he can be brought in with the minimum salary, he plays a decent first base, he will hit if given enough AB's and gets on base... With Casey Kotchman being a singles hitter, and not having a sterling track record, I see this a a little to no risk signing for Tampa Bay, should they make the move. I am all for it, what say you DRB???

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 this is clearly the savior we need at first base

:rolls eyes:

by Dbullsfan on May 21, 2011 11:07 AM EDT reply actions

*and just so you know this isn't a shot at you

but at SF1 and the others who complained that we didn’t bring him in, in the off-season. There is a reason this guy got cut over Xavier Nady and Juan Miranda. If you think he is going to be much better than Kotchman or Johnson you are mistaken.

by Dbullsfan on May 21, 2011 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

maybe not

but is it worth a shot? Yes. This team doesn’t have much power and Branyan has historically been a power hitter.

R.I.P. Scott Kazmir 2005-2008

by raysfan81 on May 21, 2011 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Im not asking Branyan to be a savior

just get on base and homer… gives us a threat of power not named Longoria or Joyce…

by nittsallgood on May 21, 2011 12:40 PM EDT reply actions

I would rather see us give a guy a shot tearing up AAA that could be had for not much

I really like Clint Robinson from KC, he is blocked by Butler and Hosmer and has been tearing it up. A couple other names to maybe consider Bryan LaHair and Josh Fields.

by Dbullsfan on May 21, 2011 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

Branyan is free--the others are not

I would like to see them make a play for Robinson, but I’ll take Branyan over LaHair and Fields.

by TheGrinch on May 21, 2011 6:34 PM EDT reply actions

Fields could easily be a buy low guy though

he only about 1 seasons worth of consistent time in the majors

R.I.P. Scott Kazmir 2005-2008

by raysfan81 on May 21, 2011 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

It is a sign!

with one homer in 69 plate appearances,

I'm not sure if you're serious...If you are, the reasons are simple:
1) Dutton’s xBABIP has to be input by hand, so it takes a long time to calculate.
2) I do this for free.

by BWoodrum

by SRQman on May 21, 2011 9:29 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe if he had 420 HR's in that span, but...

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 May 21, 2011 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I know this is off topic

but I didnt know where else to really post it. Why have the Rays not given Jose Lobaton a chance yet? He is hitting well in AAA so far and they say he plays good D behind the plate. Even if his bat sucks, his D from the sounds is probably better than both Jaso and Shop. Is their something not to like that I’m missing?

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

by thedudeofdudes on May 23, 2011 10:09 PM EDT reply actions