SB Nation User Blog: Dbullsfan

Guzman clears waivers

Dbullsfan — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:33:10 -0000

Guzman clears waivers

Anyone else besides me surprised my this?

I know he isn't great but he still has a ton of power potential.

Kei Igawa going for the title

Dbullsfan — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:33:42 -0000

Kei Igawa going for the title

Bulls/Yankees in game 3 of the IL Championship. Niemann throwing for the Bulls. 0-0 going into the bottom of the 2nd in Durham.

Perez up

Dbullsfan — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 01:17:39 -0000

September Call-ups

Dbullsfan — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:45:37 -0000

For the first time ever we are in a situation where September call-ups are going to be used to help the MLB team instead of just getting some young guys some playing time. That brings the question of who do we call up? Here is a list of guys who could potentially be call-up, Ill give my thoughts what does everyone else think?

Guys already on the 40 man

Juan Salas- I know he is already in the majors but I am throwing him in here because I would assume he would be sent down for a day or 2 depending on when Percival comes back.

My guess: 100% chance of being called up

Kurt Birkins- forgotten about lefty who has a 6.75 ERA down in Durham. Has some MLB experience but isnt that good.

My guess: 60% chance of being called up. The only reason it is that high is because we will only have 2 other lefties in the pen and it never hurts having an extra arm.

James Houser- Injured

Jeff Niemann- Niemann was a big name tossed around at the trade deadline and has really good stuff and is a mlb ready starter. He does have a history of injury problems and is only completing his 2nd full pro season.

My Guess: 25% chance of being called up. I think Niemann is a starter and isnt really built to work out of the pen, I also think he would benefit from being shut down a little bit earlier after the minor league playoffs.

David Price- I dont know if there is anything I can say people dont already know, he has struggled in his first 2 AAA starts with command which could be a problem.

My guess: 30%- The front office may get pressured into calling him out but I think the smart move would be to let him finish the year in Durham and shut him down after that. While he could be a bit of help to the pen, I think he will benefit more from getting an extra couple starts in the AAA playoffs.

J.K. Ryu- injured

Mitch Talbot- Insert man crush warning here, Talbot has been extremely solid of late. He has gone 8-1 in his last 10 starts and has allowed just 6 runs in his last 7. Talbot would be my choice to get the spot start in the DH against Baltimore late September and could be successful out of the pen.

My guess: 75%- not sure the FO is as high as I am on him.

John Jaso- Jaso has been a stud since being called up to Durham, .856 OPS and has been solid behind the plate. He would be the easier of the 2 catchers for the Rays to call up being on the 40.

My guess: 35%, not that I don't like Jaso, I just think the FO will go with the veteran Difeliece.

Joel Guzman- .713 OPS but plays a solid defense and has been playing some SS of late along with 3B and 1B. He has tremendous power but that is about the extent of his offensive prowess.

My guess: 75% A right handed power bat, wouldn't hurt right?

Elliot Johnson- most versatile guy possibly in the whole system. I talked to him earlier in the year and he mentioned that he was even the emergency catcher during his time with the big league club at the beginning of the season. He isnt the most talented but has good speed and plays good defense.

My guess: 100%, perfect type of player to call up, can play everywhere on the diamond, switch hitter with good speed.

Fernando Perez- one of the more interesting options, before the season or even a month and a half ago I would say no way he gets called up but he continues to play solid defense and .748 OPS + 40 SB isn't bad either. Could get called up for his defense and speed.

My guess: 50% Really not even sure what I would do much less what the FO will do.

Jonny Gomes- AAA Jonny not much better than MLB Jonny 12-52 (does have 2 HR)

My guess: 40%, I would guess that Gomes, Perez, and Guzman all wont get called up but 2 will, Jonny could be the man left out.

Guys not on the 40 Man.

Dan Johnson- Johnson has been playing a lot of 3B leading a lot of people to believe that this is leading to a September call-up. Im not sure why the Rays would try him out there if that wasnt the case given he most likely wont be on the team next year.

My guess: 90%, he should get the call, my guess Ryu goes to 60 man DL

Mike Difelice- Veteran catcher, isnt going to bring much to the table other than experience but that he has. Difelice was a member of the original Devil Rays

My Guess: 65%, He isnt as good as Jaso but I think they go with the veteran.

Dale Thayer- A lot of people keep throwing this name out there and I am a big fan of his 2.39 ERA in 48 innings.

My guess: 5%. Like I said I am a Thayer fan but I dont see us taking someone off the 40 man to add a guy who would maybe only make it 1 or 2 games and that would only be in mop up duty. Thayer should get his chance next spring to make the roster.

Chris Richard- Richard has been the MVP for the Bulls this season (.914 OPS) IMO and can play 1B or corner outfield. Will most likely have the same problem as Thayer

My guess: 10%, A little higher than Thayer but snot by much, I dont really see the Rays making room on the 40 man for a guy who isnt going to play much

This was kinda long but it is nice to have September call-ups really mean something and I for one am excited.

Price debut in Durham tonight (hopefully)

Dbullsfan — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:08:38 -0000

Just past 4 here in central NC and the rain is still falling. I am still holding out hope that I will get a chance to see the great David Price pitch tonight. Weather is supposed to taper off around 7-8 so hopefully they will get the game in at some point. I will give you guys a full report on how it goes. This will be the second time I have seen Price pitch, the first being 4 years ago while he was with team USA and he was dominant than so I am real excited to see what he looks like now. Anyway I will be doing my rain dance tonight as this will most likely be the last Durham game I go to this season (headed back to college) and I am greedy and want to see him pitch.

The forgotten man

Dbullsfan — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:45:12 -0000

The forgotten man

I was at the Durham Bulls game last night and Mitch Talbot on the mound. He was the most dominant I have seen from him since he came over from the stros a couple years ago. 6 innings 1 run 9 K's. His fast ball was sitting 93-94 and had some really good bight on his breaking ball. In his last 3 starts he has gone 18 2/3 3 runs, 23 K's. He has really been in the shadow of Niemann in AAA and Price, Hellickson, and Davis overall but this guy was supposed to be a solid prospect when he came over in the Wiggy deal and now he could be turning the corner. Whether it is with this team or another Talbot is starting to look like a major leaguer.

A line-up thread

Dbullsfan — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:39:31 -0000

I've been thinking about this for awhile now and now that Papa Joe has decided to start tinkering with the line-up I feel like it is a good time to make a post about it.

What is everyone's thoughts about the line-up and how the team is constructed right now (no trades, call-ups, FA). I wont be suprised if a lot of people have a lot of different opinions because not much besides Longo/Navi is working for the offense.

Here is what I would do.

Vs. LHP

CF- BJ

DH- Riggans

3B- Longo

1B- Pena

C-Navi

RF- Gomes

2B-Aki

SS- Zobrist (Barty when he comes back, only exception to rule about current roster because barring big set back he should definately be back sometime soon)

LF-Crawford

I have thought for most of the season that BJ should be leading off, he is extremely patient and considering the amount of time he gets on base is our biggest SB threat. I like having Riggans' bat in the line-up, especially against lefties. He also is very good at making pitchers work and will see a good amount of pitches (unlike Navi who you could say the same about, Riggans won't completely clog the bases). My thoughts on the back-up catcher is that if Navi happens to get hurt in a game against a LHP and Riggans is DH than you just have to either find an emergency catcher or give up the DH, knock on wood but the odds of that happening are pretty slim. Gomes isn't amazing defensively but I believe with CC and BJ in the other two outfield spots we can afford to have him out there for the first 6-7 innings (go to Gross). The biggest difference I have than most would is moving CC down to 9th ( I know he will complain but he can get over it) moving him to 9th keeps him and BJ back to back which I like because of the speed and it also has him behind Aki and the SS, that way if he does find a gap he isn't clogged by Navi, Pena, or Gomes most likely.

Vs. RHP

CF-BJ

2B-Aki

3B-Longo

1B-Pena

RF-Hinske

C-Navi

DH-Floyd

SS-Zobrist/Bartlett

LF-Crawford

Pretty much the same story except I move Aki up to 2nd without Riggans in the line-up and enter Floyd and Hinske in for Gomes/Riggans, pretty standard moves in my part as far as the players in the line-up.

I know this was long I was just thinking about the line-up and what everyone would do if they were in Maddon's shoes.

Otero dominating Appy league

Dbullsfan — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:48:08 -0000

Otero dominating Appy league

Elias Otero, a product of the Puerto Rico HS Baseball Academy is off to a great start in his first pro year. He recently had an 18 game hitting streak snapped but went 2-4 with a HR tonight. He is hitting .402 on the season and has an OPS of 1.073. Otero is a 20 yr SS.

Chris Mason in the Pen

Dbullsfan — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:04:55 -0000

Chris Mason in the Pen

Chris Mason made his debut tonight out of the pen for Durham. I'm assuming this is the move they are making to open a spot for Davis. I think it is a good move and Mason will pitch really well in this role.

Mason through 1 inning just giving up a hit and picking up a hold tonight.

Tom Boleska

Dbullsfan — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:32:18 -0000

First off I want to say hey to everyone over here on Bucs Dugout, I'm a Rays fan who is over on Draysbay. Lately I've been following the Pirates a lot because of the Nady/Bay talks.

but today I want to ask you guys about Hickory pitcher Tom Boleska, he wasn't heralded to much out of High Point but he has pretty good numbers this year in Hickory. I covered him during his time at High Point and he really came on strong his last year. I was just wondering if anyone on here watches Hickory regularly or has seen him throw this year and how has he looked. Do you think he has a chance to become a fringe prospect or is he most likely going to ceiling out at AA or AAA? Thanks for the help and good luck to you guys the rest of the season. .