SB Nation User Blog: SC raysfan

Who do we match up well with?

SC raysfan — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:23:24 -0000

It is always interesting to break-down the trading process and to try to figure out different teams approaches etc. One trend that I see wtih us and maybe this is also a league wide approach is the trade to fix multiple needs instead of just one at a time. The multiple need approach is more complicated perhaps but if you match up well with another team less can go wrong. ie. if you are making a series of moves with multiple teams and half way through a team breaks-off on a key player you needed to make further moves then you may be stuck without anywhere else to go.

Last year we made a multiple need trade with the Twins that worked out really well and we have done this with the Dodgers in the past as well. Some reasons for this approach may be the fact that many trades involve multiple players anyway, many trades are expanded because one team or the other needs to get a fair balance which seldom happens when dealing just one player and it is very hard to find in the recent market the most complicated 3 and 4 team deals. Many teams are holding out for a coveted free agent or waiting to see where others go which complicates multiple team deals. With all of that being said who do we match up best with this year? Might we seek one main team to fit our multiple needs wtih us meeting theirs' as well? Here are my thoughts:

We probaly match up best with the Brewers, Cards, Indians, Rangers and Royals. All of these teams need pitching and they in turn have RF/DH types.

I would say that we can help a team get a starter (E. Jackson or equivalent) get a middle infielder (Brignac) and a starter/reliever (Talbot or equal). We need a RF (prefer everyday type) a RH bat (can be a DH only) and a LH reliever or good late inning reliever. Let's look at each team;

Brewers: C. Hart could be the main part of a deal and we have dealt with them before

Cards: Ankiel or Ludwick could be the main part

Indians: a Gutierrez, Garko, R. Perez for Jackson, Talbot and Niemann might work

Rangers: Murphy and Byrd could be a good place to start

Royals: Right now I think we match up best with them, why not a Teahen, Butler and Mahon for Jackson, Brignac and Talbot deal

What do you think?

Perez and Ruggiano

SC raysfan — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:39:45 -0000

Recently there has been alot of talk about the potential roster for next year and it has centered on RF and the outfield in general with the DH position in the mix because our outfield guys usually fill that duty as well. Here are some observations that might affect what we do and any feedback from everyone would be appreciated. Let's do everything we can not to remember last night and hope we can get it in gear soon and keep our momentem going into the playoff's.

Fernando Perez has really impressed me alot and I can see him being used as our starting RF next year for several reasons. He is great defensively, he would give our outfield a no holes look when combined with CC and BJ, His speed would help our offense with infield hits and stolen bases, He hits from both sides of the plate and seems to have some decent power. What if he starts in RF and leads off in the batting order with Aki moving down in the lower order to help turn the lineup over? He can actually bunt, has a pretty good awareness of the strike zone and might put up the OBP that would be ideal in the lead off spot. His defense is good, and even though his arm may not be ideal for RF it's not bad either. We could keep Gabe Gross as the 4th outfielder and he could back up all spots, come in late in games with his power arm to hold baserunners from advancing and could even be used in a mini platoon against tough RH pitchers that Perez might have more trouble with.

My rec: Our outfield of Crawford, Upton and Perez with Gross as our 4th guy. That would also affect our DH and my rec: use Dan Johnson and Willy Aybar there, Dan against most RH and Willy against all LH and as a match up guy against some RH.

Last night our TV crew mentioned that Ruggiano was batting with a new more upright stance at the urging of Hendu and Maddon and he looked better with the new stance. It is supposed to give him more balance, more power and free up his swing. He could be in the outfield mix if this new stance helps him become more consistent at the plate. Before this recent change my opinion of him was that he wasn't going to be a big club prospect but only a AAAA type guy. He started with this new approach in the last NYY game so in a very limited sample size it seems to be working.

I'm a huge Rocco fan but recently it seems that the toll of continual Practice and prep for games has really taken alot out of Rocco. I hope that I am wrong but if this is the best it gets with Rocco (plays well for a few games and then just can't sustain the normal level of constant activity and energy) then he may have to retire unless treatment breakthroughs are found for him.

I know that Floyd wants to come back with us next year, but unless we don't keep up Zobrist next year as a utility guy, do we have any room for him, since he really can't play anywhere in the field. At least Dan Johnson can play 1B and some 3B and some LF if needed and we know that Aybar can play all over the infield and do it well.

Guys to go: Gomes, Hinske, Rocco (retired?) Floyd (retired?) Ruggiano (Durham?)

Our 13 position players: Pena (1B), Aki (2B), Bartlett (SS), Longoria (3B), Navarro (C), Crawford (LF), Upton (CF), Perez (RF), Dan Johnson (DH), Gross (4th OF), Aybar (IF reserve, DH platoon), Zobrist (super utility), and Riggans/Jaso (reserve C) This roster has alot of flexibility and a good mixture of offense and defense, with most guys able to play in the field at multiple positions. If Zobrist is not our super UT then there is room for either Floyd or Rocco but we then lose alot of flexibility and what do we do with a Dan Johnson (if Floyd stays) or Aybar (if Rocco stays)? If Ruggiano hits alot better, what about Fernando and the dynamite he brings to the table?

Feedback?

Expanded Roster in Sept.

SC raysfan — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:59:58 -0000

I know its early, but if we don't make any deals before the trade deadline what will our expanded roster look like on 9/1.

Can we get buy until Sept. with what we have now?

Can the expanded roster make us that much better and help us with the final push?

The answer to the 1st question is probaly not unless our core players get hot with the bats or if the Sox and Yanks fade (not likely). We know what we need to get in the trade possibilities but is it worth it? We can all stay tuned for that.

The answer to the 2nd question is yes! Why? because the guys we can bring up can fill in the cracks pretty well. Here are my thoughts:

Pitching: Bring up Niemann, Price, Salas and Talbot and slot them into the Pen at the very least and maybe Price as a spot starter. 4 sound like alot but all might bring us something unique that would make time sharing worth the headache. Usually pitchers have an advantage when batters have not seen them before with Niemann, Price and Talbot having an advantage and Salas is just plain good. Plus in tight games which is our MO a pitcher to face just one batter is a skill that Maddon as our skipper could scheme up pretty good I think. Davis even though he is not on the 40 man could also be a choice.

Fielders: Bring up Jaso as the third catcher or even DeFelice (not on the 40). Bring up Brignac for infield depth and maybe E. Johnson as well (I saw an interesting idea that Brignac could slot in at RF in the future, maybe even next year if he is still around). Bring up Baldelli if healthy and certainly Perez for speed/pinch runner and Ruggiano for outfield depth. Dan Johnson could be a choice but he also is not on the 40. This total would be as many as 10 extra guys that with their specialties could make us pretty complete.

Sometimes because of a teams lack of flexibility which I think fits our current team, quite a few guys as role players can complete the whole maybe better than less numbers but guys that have to play all the time and get run down at years end. The main question is can we wait for Sept. 1 and hope to sustain our position until then? or do we overpay for a trade now?, or do we go for a cheap stop gap to try to hit lightning in the bottle? Another factor is this: do we wait until 9/1 because the RFO really thinks next year is more likely than our chances this year for making even a bigger run? Ideas? Thoughts?

Practical Trade Idea

SC raysfan — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:21:22 -0000

It seems like alot of us Rays fans are frustrated by the inactivity in the market so far. I'm sure Andrew and Co. are probaly even more so. The skyrocket prices are to blame and I think it is way easier to sell than to buy nowadays, so with that being said, who can we get that can help us now and maybe for another couple of years until our young guys can come up (mainly Desmond Jennings etc.). Blake is one type of guy that we have discussed quite a bit but the more I look at him and the feedback from those who have followed him for awhile, the less impressed I get. So after alot of digging I have thought alot about a guy that was mentioned a ways back but is not really currently on the radar. The more I think about what he could do the more I like him as our practical trade idea. The name: Austin Kearns of the Nats. He hits for power, gets hot like Aubrey Huff sometimes at the end of the year, plays good defense, can either play the field or DH, gets along with teamates and would be fairly easy to acquire and pretty inexpensive. He is signed thru next year (2009) for about 8 mil in 09 and has an option for 2010 if desired. He could take either Gomes or Floyd's place (I keep thinking Cliff is going to pull something soon anyway) He probaly would platoon something like Gross/ Kearns in RF with HInske/ Gomes at DH. When he gets really hot he hits RH starters great so he could stay in the line-up more often in RF over Gross even against Righties. This would keep Hinske and Gomes from having to play the field unless in a dire situation and would balance the bench from both sides. Feedback?

Some additional Trade ideas

SC raysfan — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:35:49 -0000

Another bat that can hit lefties would be nice, here are a few more names:

Franklin Gutierrez Indians - has what you would want if his bat develops, probaly not quite ready for us at this time

Josh Willingham Marlins - just coming back from injury and could fit in good for us but we have never done well in dealing with the Marlins FO

Nelson Cruz Rangers - is he putting it all together now or is he just a AAAA type player that grabs your attention in the minors but struggles in the show? He might be worth a try especially since he won't cost much.

Now comes my favorite dark horse gamble of all time:

Jeff Francoeur Braves - This year his hitting has been so weak that he was recently sent down to AA Mississippi to try to get his act back together (was only there for 3 days before recalled due to a 25 man injury and his clearer head) Since he was demoted it seems like his love for the Home Team Braves has been tarnished to a certain degree and until this year it was virtually impossible to imagine that he would ever play in his prime anywhere but Atlanta.

Cons: He is maybe 15 pounds too heavy this year resulting in less outfield range, his hitting has been quite the struggle with a noted loss of power, his mental approach to the game has been talked about in that this is the first time ever that he has struggled at baseball but that has been mitigated some with the time in AA to get his focus and mental rest restored, he is revered in Atlanta and would the Braves even consider making him available even though they have alot of needs to get back in the race this year.

Pros: He is young and is a power hitter corner outfielder that when on is a young stud that can rake with the best of them, he is an above average corner outfielder on D and has one of the best arms in the NL, He is a model citizen, loved by his teamates, does more community service than anyone on the Braves and is loved by his hometown fans, since he is so young and has just faced his first bump in the road maybe he becomes even better as he works through this first challenge, his attitude so far has been good and reasonable (he voiced disapointment but did not make any personal attacks when sent down) considering his frustrating year. Could he be acquired because of his current situation? who knows for sure but I think he would be worth the gamble. The Braves have alot of outfield talent that is coming up and may want to move a fan favorite for pitching when the outrage would be tempered by his struggles this year.

None of the above may be possible or advisable but it looks like this years market is shaping up to be an expensive one so maybe a surprise is in store?

Brayan Pena

SC raysfan — Sat, 24 May 2008 16:39:31 -0000

It looks as if Brayan Pena a Catcher/1B/DH recently of the Atlanta Braves has been designated for assignment. Here is another great opportunity for the Rays to pick up a guy that would be the perfect backup catcher for us as well as being a great contact hitter that can consistently put the ball in play. He is someone that I have been tracking for a long time but never thought would be available simply for a waiver claim! Some scouts have even thought that if given the chance he could be a decent everyday type player. We don't need a starter of course but Brayan could hold the fort down as our backup for years until we get or develop or draft a replacement. He might even do better than to hold down the fort. He in my opinion is better than Gimenez. I'm really hoping that Andrew makes the move to claim him and even though I like Shawn Riggans I don't think he is the long term answer even as only a backup guy.

Do we match up with the Rangers?

SC raysfan — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:46:36 -0000

They are getting nothing much out of their DH and 1B positions and I wonder if they might entertain a trade for Dan Johnson or one of our other DH/1B types that we have. We could wait and see what we think of Dan Johnson and decide who if anyone we might want to dangle as trade bait. We could even consider trading a starting pitcher since their pitching is also considered a pretty strong weakness.

My Trade: Dan Johnson or Chris Mason for Nelson Cruz straight up!

We get our RF and they get either a 1B/DH type or a prospect starting pitcher

I think we will make a trade for someone by the middle of May

My top 3 RF trade targets: 1. Balentien 2. Cruz 3. Murton

Roster and Lineup possibilities

SC raysfan — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:04:18 -0000

Outfielders: LF Crawford, CF Upton, RF Hinske/Gomes platoon Guys to go: Ruggiano (now) and Haynes (when Floyd comes off the DL) Floyd is the DH in total we have 5 players for the outfield/DH postitions.

Infielders: 1B Pena, 2B Iwamura, SS Bartlett, 3B Longoria Utility Zobrist for middle and Aybar/Dan Johnson for Corners Guys to go: E Johnson when Zobrist comes off the DL and eventually one of either Aybar or Dan Johnson when Aybar comes off the DL and that begs the question where has Aybar gone to? No word on the injury update, his rehab, a program with time/dates etc. is there more to his lack of info than him being overlooked? Funny how he has vanished from any mention at all!! If and when Aybar gets healthy then hopefully the Rays will have an idea of how valuable Dan Johnson might be and they can make the right call. Total of 6 players for the 4 infield positions.

Catchers: Navarro and DiFelice This is a tough call but when Navi comes off the DL I think that Riggans will go down to Durham. (not that he has failed to do what we expected but I think the veteran presence of DiFelice is needed now) Total of 2 players for 1 position.

Note: When I put Guys to go it can be optioned down if that applies

Future Lineups for LH pitcher: 2B Iwamura, LF Crawford, CF Upton, 1B Pena, 3B Longoria, RF Hinske, DH Dan Johnson, C Navarro, SS Bartlett

Future Lineups for RH pitcher: 2B Iwamura, LF Crawford, CF Upton, 1B Pena, 3B Longoria, DH D. Johnson/Hinske, RF Gomes, C Navarro, SS Bartlett

If the Mariners are Serious?

SC raysfan — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 23:02:51 -0000

If they really want Edwin Jackson and covet him as much as they claim then trade us back in return Wladimir Balentien and call it a deal. They get the SP that they want and we get a good young power hitting RF that we need. Of the young guys that are out there we haven't heard his name mentioned but he would be good for our needs if the M's really want EJax.

MLB Trade Rumors and Rays/Murton

SC raysfan — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:15:12 -0000

Another speculation today on MLB Trade Rumors that the Rays are still interested in Matt Murton. Their conclusion is that we are still interested in getting him for our RF situation but that the Cubs are asking for alot. Maybe we can offer the Cubs this deal and even though we might feel it is a little steep I think the benefits of having an everyday RF with the rest of the guys in the DH platoon would be the best thing right now for our club. When I look at our lineups for both RH and LH opposing pitchers the Right Field spot is our only long term glaring weakness. Here's the prop:

We send the Cubs A. Sonnanstine and F. Perez for Matt Murton in return.

The thinking is that Andy will be only a future Middle reliever for us long term and even though he may be pretty good in that role, next year with Price, Davis McGee etc. we will have alot of starters going to the pen that have more "power stuff". Perez is blocked by BJ and has alot of seemingly better guys behind him at his position. If BJ gets hurt, that is the only short term risk that I see. On the upside, Murton can fill our RF position very well for quite a few years (2-3) until one of our younger guys is ready. A guy who is an everyday player in the place we need one is to me worth the deal, it does seem like our "braintrust" is really interested in getting Matt. The Cubs could use a good reliever and will need a fast CF type for their short and long term OF.