1 Out, 7 ER

Apparently, players with ERAs more than their weight equal something these days.

Fontaine wasn't used as a SS this season - it looks like the Braves came to view him as a utility guy - curse of death in the low minors. And clearly they must be concerned about Aybar. Maybe some Josh Hamilton payback is on the way - meaning Aybar might be another feel good story.

Seems like a good deal for you guys. Either the Braves have gotten pretty dumb pretty fast, or there's more here than meets the eye.

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Fontaine went undrafted in 2004 after he slumped as a high school senior. He turned down the Rangers as an 18th-round draft-and-follow this spring, a move that paid off when the Braves selected him in the second round.

Fontaine is a solid all-around player whose bat stands out the most. He hits to all fields with a short, compact swing and he'll develop more power once he adds some loft to his stroke. While he has a plus arm, he's a below-average runner with stiff hands, so his future might be at second or third base rather than shortstop.

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Looks like he profiles best at 2B

Second, Fontaine projects as a second baseman. It has often been noted that 2B is the weakest position in the Rays' system, so even if Fontaine is not star quality, he does add depth to a weakness. Again, seems like good thinking to me, and as R.J. says, it is remarkable that the Rays received the "throw-in".

Can anyone think of a trade in the last 2 years when the Rays did not get the "extra" player so that the deal was at least equal in numbers or more often tilted towards TB?

Also included in the deal for the Rays is the left-handed hitting Fontaine, who was a second round pick of the Braves in 2006 out of Daytona Beach Community College.  After walking on to Texas and not getting any playing time, he headed to Daytona and raked his way into the second round. A shortstop back then, he signed for $500,00 to walk away from a Florida commitment.

In 590 career minor league at-bats, the 22-year old has hit .280 with an outstanding on base percentage of .390. He has 103 walks in 177 games, and has done most of his damage in the South Atlantic League. Now that he's moved across the diamond to second, his range and arm now profile as average to a tick above. He hasn't displayed much power, only swatting 36 extra base hits as a professional. No doubt a useful piece, Fontaine will look to sure up a weaker spot in the Rays farm system.

40sb/56cs

not a typo.

40 out of 96!

41.7%  !!!  

Don Zimmer could covert more than 42%