ETA to Majors?

Gibson is a tall-projectable lanky arm that has some room to fill in. He pitches now at 86-88, but scouts feel he can add a few ticks as he matures.

As far as ETA, my'd guess would beat at the earliest 2010. He just finished short season ball, so he'll have to work his way up the ladder.

He has pitchability, so it is more building up stamina and his size to complete the package from here. This is a great haul for Dukes. Nice job Rays.

I agree Patrick this is way more that I expected. I was sort of surprised that Josh Wilson was put on waivers, I think this means that we are going to get two guys back in a trade for one of our guys. We still have plenty of time to have a spot open for the rule 5 unless it has to be way ahead of time, what is the rule on that?

By the way, according to the Prospect Handbook (BA) Gibson was drafted out of high school (Moriches, NY). It said he turned down an offer from UCF.

Also, his minor league career record is 4-3, and here's his link at the baseball cube.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/G/Glenn-Gibson.shtml

Eric SanInocencio
www.mvn.com/rays-mlb

Two more pitching prospects that may compete to pitch for the Rays'. I'm loving what the TRO is doing.

I took a good look at Gibson's numbers, and he is more of a project than others. That's ok, there's no immediate need here.

I guess RF comes down to Gomes, Rocco, Ruggiano and possibly Barton (Rule 5). We'll see which direction they go.

I am beginning to think Friedman is a genius. I expected to get some non-descript minor league filler for him, not because he isn't talented but because of his history and the obvious assumption the Rays could not keep him.

There is no way to know that Gibson is anything at all, but a 19 year old, 6'4" lefty who has been good in rookie ball! That is a gift.

I suppose it's a win in that the Rays got anything at all for Dukes.  It's surprising his Rays career didn't end with an unconditional release (or jail time or..).

Here's hoping he gets his life in order, like Hamilton, I suppose.

An OFer from a trade: possibly Edwin Jackson for someone?

I have to think that the Rays have a deal in place and are just waiting on some minor details or final approval from the league. It's not taking them long this year to make things happen, we might get spoiled if this keeps up.

It was one thing to change the name thinking it would change the franchise image....another thing entirely to get rid of the bat thrower and Mr. Anger Management.

I find it interesting though that they traded a major league ready (physically, if not mentally) outfielder with a pretty big up-side for a 20 year old project who might see some major league time in 2011. Obviously Duke's value was quite low because of all the off the field stuff. But death threats aside, I thought he could have been packaged with Edwin Jackson or a minor league arm for a good catcher or right fielder. Maybe we were lucky another team gave up anybody for Dukes. But yeah, this could have Josh Hamilton scenario written all over it.

or we could actually capture positive headlines.

Glenn Gibson will see MLB in 2011 and Elijah Dukes will probably see the inisde of a jail cell by then, so I tihnk we win the trade...

Evaluating the reasonableness of a trade only makes sense at the time it is made, taking into account what is known (or should be known) at the time and other circumstances that might force the hand of GMs. Whether it is a good trade is another issue. That can only be assessed at the end of the players' careers. But a disastrous deal may still be the right one to make at the time, may still be an excellent deal in fact.

In the Dukes' case, the Rays had to trade him, and had to do it now. They had postponed the decision as long as possible in an effort to build his value. But there was no way he could be brought into spring training, and every other team knew that. And that circumstance was not the Rays' fault. They did not cause his problems or make no efforts to address them.

Given that circumstance, had he simply been released or dealt for a non-prospect, I don't think we could criticize. Why would any team cede anything of value knowing he would be available for nothing soon? But Washington did give up a prospect, however deep in the system. Maybe they thought another team might grab him for nothing or the Rays would find a suitor. Whatever the reason, the Rays squeezed as much value out of him as they possibly could, and more than had they dealt him a month ago or probably if they had held out until February.

In 15 years, we may wonder at the fates that led us to give up a HOF player for one who never got past A ball. But today, it is a terrific return to the Rays.

Thank you again washington national, not only did you take "you dead dog" out of our hands, but you also gave us some value. Do you guys want to buy a bridge in New York too.

Disgruntled Asian Fan

I really wonder what the Nats are going to do. All this talent doesn't have room to play in one outfield. I wonder if they plan on sending Dukes down, but I can't imagine he'd need any more baseball seasoning.