POLL: Do You Want Russell Branyan?
by BWoodrum on May 23, 2011 1:00 PM EDT
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Last Saturday, the Arizona Diamondbacks released first base slugger and 35-year-old Russell Branyan. This past off-season, there were not a few of us among the DRB community who hoped the Rays would bring back the lefty from past (Branyan hit 12 homers for the Devil Rays in 2006).
Anyway, the Rays did not get Branyan, but who cares? We got Manny Ramirez! Well, now that Manny is prepping for the Latin leagues and Branyan is floating around the free agent world again, do the Rays go for him now?
Do not be an uninformed voter! Follow the jump for the pros and cons of Branyan.
R.J. Anderson on The Process Report breaks down Branyan just about as well as anyone, so let's take from that.
Branyan Strengths
- Power: The Rays have not had enough power at first base this year. Even Kotchman's biggest fans will admit the Rays have not had much power in the top bag. The problem is Branyan has not shown his characteristic pop this year. Anderson:
So far, Branyan hadn’t shown that same pop. Branyan only has one home run this season and his ISO is .129—an uncomforting fact: the sum of Dan Johnson’s and Casey Kotchman’s ISO is .121 (only James Loney, at .043, is a first baseman with a lower ISO than the Rays pair an more than 50 plate appearances this season).
- Contract: Because of the nature of his release, Branyan has his money. The Rays could get him cheap, possibly a minor league contract. Anderson:
The transaction cost involved is simple. Branyan would make the prorated league minimum and the Rays would have to create a 25- and 40-man roster spot (Justin Ruggiano would appear to be the most likely to go).
Branyan Weakness
- Cold as Ice: He's had only 69 plate appearances this year (which aught to make him a DRB favorite), but a slew of those (15+) have come as a pinch hitter (where batters tend to perform much worse). If the Rays sign Branyan to play first base immediately, they will be taking a gamble in the short term. Anderson:
Branyan compiled 69 plate appearances and registered a .210/.290/.339 slash line.
- Age and Injuries: Branyan has struggled a LOT with injuries. Also, power sluggers tend to lose their pop at Branyan's age. This may be the first poor season of many to follow in the evening of his career. It's unlikely he's collapsed this far, but given Kotchman's strong defense, he may not be able to outplay Kotch if his oomph disappears. Anderson:
Without Branyan’s power, his value is non-existent. As you would imagine, a guy who fans in nearly 30 percent of his plate appearances isn’t going to hold a worthwhile batting average, and while he walks at a dandy rate (over 11 percent), it’s not enough to justify his playing time if his stroke is sapped of its power.
So, what say you, Rays fans?
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He walks up to Rhinestone Cowboy?
Proof Matthan admitted he was wrong: http://www.draysbay.com/2011/3/18/2058018/ottotd-for-3-18-2011-thursday-night-t-v#61697767
note: I didn't actually know what his walkup music was. In retrospect, he might as well walk up to this garbage since what he actually uses isn't any better.
Proof Matthan admitted he was wrong: http://www.draysbay.com/2011/3/18/2058018/ottotd-for-3-18-2011-thursday-night-t-v#61697767
I go to mariners games when the rays are in town, last I remember it was some country filth
so maybe?
www.dhazebay.com
by putupyourDUKES on May 23, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
In the short side of a platoon?
Even if he’s bad as his reputation, that’s still better than trotting Kotchman out there against LHP.
@ptSuttery
Based on his spits versus lefties last year in AA, Canzler could probably hit
266/324/467 against LHP in MLB.
Kotchman’s line against LHP in his career: .257 /.315/.339
@ptSuttery
But they did.....
Wait a little while longer, then bring up Guyer. When Jenning’s super 2 is over, send Guyer back down or get rid of someone else.
Ruggianno is a AAAA scrub. He can’t hit an MLB FB.
That's what I said too, <3
@SandyKazmir
Yes I've only been a fan since 2009. You got me.
by blackraven on May 5, 2011 3:46 PM EDT
by Sandy Kazmir on May 23, 2011 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Speaks volumes:
“he may not be able to outplay Kotch if his oomph disappears.” << However, I’m not opposed to signing Branyan to battle it out with DanJo as Durham 1st base slugger.
RaysRev.com or m_weber on twitter
Personally, I try not to argue with lunatics as onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.
@SandyKazmir
Yes I've only been a fan since 2009. You got me.
by blackraven on May 5, 2011 3:46 PM EDT
by Sandy Kazmir on May 23, 2011 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
..
Discussion is an exchange of knowledge, argument is an exchange of ignorance.
I'm not a fanboy, I'm an analyst
by Jason Collette on May 23, 2011 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
2011 rest-of-season ZiPS projections:
Branyan: .252/.336/.518
Kotchman: 276/.341/.411
If one weren’t already on the team, would there be any doubt who you’d rather go get?
Sure you all have brought this up, but Kotchman’s sporting a .383 BABIP. He’s a .273 career BABIP guy.
"Sure you all have brought this up, but Kotchman’s sporting a .383 BABIP. He’s a .273 career BABIP guy."
A thousand times, yes, but y’know it still falls on deaf ears.
@ptSuttery
Who else are they gonna play at first base right now?
Dan Johnson didn’t work out, so this is what they’re stuck with.
@ptSuttery
Probably not that high, but likely give us better production than Kotchman, yes.
*supposing he’s not washed up
@ptSuttery
I don't think
MLB managers replace players in their lineup because they think their luck will change.If you want to play the luck card , Kotch was very unlucky last year,so his luck should change this year. That is what BABIP is used for in fantasy baseball.
I don't think
it is again.With you it has been again and again and again.You are the type off person that can’t stand to be wrong about something. You said it was stupid to sign Kotch .You said it was stupid to bring Kotch up when Manny died. Now what is it? You want Branyan to replace Kotch?Speak up, don’t just insult.
Stop with the insults
and false statements about my future thoughts. You are trolling.
WHY YOU GOTTA BRING KOTCHMAN INTO THIS
@SandyKazmir
Yes I've only been a fan since 2009. You got me.
by blackraven on May 5, 2011 3:46 PM EDT
by Sandy Kazmir on May 23, 2011 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe
because he is our first baseman and Branyon plays 1b. duh
The Angry Optimist doesn't believe that. He thinks it's a bad dream.
RaysRev.com or m_weber on twitter
I'd just like to see one post not turn into an argument about Kotchman
@SandyKazmir
Yes I've only been a fan since 2009. You got me.
by blackraven on May 5, 2011 3:46 PM EDT
by Sandy Kazmir on May 23, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
i wanted him over Dan Jo, but at this point, he's another LH bat
i’d rather explore other RH options and from within give Sean Rod more PT
follow me on twitter @sternfan10
Kotch
has been working on his swing.His ground ball rate has been high for him this season.It should go down.I can confidently expect him to hit 8-9 more homeruns this season if Joe lets him bat against lefties. It will be interesting to see if Joe starts him tonight.That should tell us how he is leaning.
I think Lopez is 1st baseman tonight...
Looking forward to #MagicofFelipe tonight
RaysRev.com or m_weber on twitter
The playing of Flip
might also tell us if AF is going to waste money on Branyan.The Rays need a backup at 1b. Do they want to go forward with E J ,Flip ,et al?Danjo returning and producing in Durham will negate the need for Branyan.
More at bats
can lead to more HR.Not facing lefties decreases at bats 20-30 %.The same goes for Matty Joyce.Joe platoons do not affect team totals,only individual totals.
Freezo
do you think Joe keeps Kotch and Joyce on the platoon squad.
Gosh, I am in favor of platooning Kotch but not Joyce
But Maddon seems in no hurry to get Joyce lefty exposure
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
I agree with your point about Joyce.
Platooning for Kotch may be difficult roster wise.Does a team carry a 1b that needs to be platooned for.1b can be challenging defensively for players to adjust to.Joe is earning his money managing this offensively weak team.
Landlord, Plus he has been working hard with Shelty every morning
First one in the cage and last one. He also had eye surgery
by Dome Biscuit on May 23, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks Dome
Casey is a fan favorite of mine.I try to keep up on him stat wise as well as intangibles.The eye surgery can be misleading.I think the real problem stems from a trip he took to visit kids at his mother’s school.He was infected with pink eye a few years ago.
He is from the area too
Just down the road.
by Dome Biscuit on May 23, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Here we go with the Russell Branyan B.S. again.He’s 35 and on the downside! In fact, when he was on his upside,he was never really that great.
I'd file it
in the no harm no foul category. Pat Burrell was signed to a 7-day tryout by the Giants last year. He was on a short leash and he stuck. Rays could probably afford to offer Branyan very little, not promise him anything, and if he accepts and sticks great, if not, he is this years version of Hank Blalock.
Rays are in a position based on the calendar and their own internal economic philosophy to be more apt to take risks on a Branyan or others on the waiver wire than to seek help through trades etc.
Hey, if Branyan finds employment elsewhere, maybe the Rays do look at a Canzler?
Haven't heard who is going down or getting let go
but the Reds are calling up Todd Frazier and I wouldn’t mind Gomes’ RH bat back in Tampa Bay.
but he is the heart of the team
I would love Gomes back for selfish reasons. He is probably my favorite Ray of all time
Travels at 140,000 mph. Produces 500 megajoules of energy. Originates from the heavens.
This is where the article should have ended
Branyan compiled 69 plate appearances and registered a .210/.290/.339 slash line.
Poll answered
Dear Mr. Suttree
Life in the MLB can be very harsh at times. Time is not always on your side.
Jesus, Tom, calm down.
@SandyKazmir
Yes I've only been a fan since 2009. You got me.
by blackraven on May 5, 2011 3:46 PM EDT
by Sandy Kazmir on May 23, 2011 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL Sandy
Not Tom,but I bet he wishes he could be me.I agree giving Sutty a MR. is a bit much.
Branyan is one of my least favorite Rays of all time
But what’s the harm in giving him an opportunity to show if he has any pop left in his bat. Hey if he can’t show he’s worth a roster spot he will be etched in stone as my least favorite Ray ever.
by DaveMartinezbeard on May 23, 2011 5:21 PM EDT reply actions
Can we give Travis Lee a call?
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
Yes just what we need
another low average, strikeout prone, left handed guy. The only thing he brings is power, which granted is something we need seeing as Longoria has been stuck in his soon to be but still not over slump and Zobrist hasnt played well at all the last week. With the upcoming draft, I would rather just trade a few prospects not named Jennings, Moore, Guyer, or HJL for a proven bat that is under an affordablecontract for a few years like Billy Butler,Stephen Drew(if either of those 2 becomes available), etc.
No matter how much they are hyped, my teams always find a way to disappoint.
Free Lobaton!
by thedudeofdudes on May 23, 2011 10:06 PM EDT reply actions
you put Guyer in the same class as Moore, Jennings, and (to a lesser extent) HJL...
by Navi's_Navy on May 23, 2011 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions
yea I think he can be an above average bat
and is close to the majors. He is not above the other 3, but he is still has been really good so far. I’m sorry should he not be in that group?
No matter how much they are hyped, my teams always find a way to disappoint.
Free Lobaton!
by thedudeofdudes on May 23, 2011 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd love to swing a deal for Billy Butler if they don't mind paying him the 8M the next 3 years
@SandyKazmir
Yes I've only been a fan since 2009. You got me.
by blackraven on May 5, 2011 3:46 PM EDT
by Sandy Kazmir on May 23, 2011 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
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