Will David DeJesus remain on the Rays roster?

The A's will lose Coco Crisp 6-8 weeks for a bone spur removal from his elbow, which means both corner outfielders in Oakland are headed to the Disabled List. There are some internal options (Rule 5 Mark Canha, backup Billy Burns), Beane could divide the platoon of Sam Fuld and Craig Gentry and bite the bullet offensively, and free agents Dayan Viciedo, Ryan Ludwick, or Nate Schierholtz could salve the wound... or there's David DeJesus.

The Rays have held on to the 2/$10 outfielder this off-season, and frankly I'm glad they have. We grow to like players as people, and I geniunely appreciate the energy DeJesus brings to the club, and I'm sure the players appreciate his beaming smile from the bench.

DeJesus is effective when platooned, a clubhouse presence and a mentor, and rather capable to be moved around the outfield. His salary is about market rate for his services, but expensive for the Rays bench. Should he be held onto going into the season?

The 25th man is a concern without option-able players are on the roster, as DeJesus and Brandon Guyer are locks. With Nick Franklin sidelined on an oblique injury, will the Rays turn to infield depth in Tim Beckham, or a non-roster invitee like the defensive Jake Elmore or offensive Juan Francisco?

Francisco has an opt-out fast approaching on April 5th, so the decision on his contract is imminent. As much as I love DeJesus, I'm torn as to whether the Rays might be better off in keeping the invitees mentioned above.

Vote below!

Links

- Yesterday we mentioned the Rays are continuing last year's Rays Up campaign with a heavy feature on Evan Longoria, who speaks of the team's resiliency in change in this epic video:

If that can't get you pumped for the season to start on Monday, I don't know what can.

- Tampa Bay Times has a lengthy article proposing a glass roof for the Rays next stadium.

- Councilman Karl Nurse would like to propose a second Stadium Workshop in the next St. Pete City Council meeting, and he'd like for the Rays to send a representative.

- ICYMI: your required reading from yesterday: Ian's pFX scouting of Erasmo Ramirez. We'll have to wait and see how many changes the Rays can apply to his approach, but my hopes are high for Hickey's toying. If anything, that sort of analysis shows what the Rays *could* do with him, and *why* he might have been chosen over other 4.50+ ERA pitchers available for trade.

- "Dee Gordon never wanted to play baseball."

- The A's are hosting a Pride Night this season, and closer Sean Doolittle and his girlfriend are doing their part to respectfully make sure those sections of the stadium are filled:

If you'd like to sell your tickets to June 17th's LGBT Pride Night game, I will buy them from you at face value. As many as I can. No judgments. No questions asked.

Says OutSports, behind the link: "This just wouldn't have happened 10 years ago." A GoFundMe page is available to contribute to their cause.