 |
|
|
| |
« For Your Sunday Rumormongering | Main | Pierre's Days With Dodgers May Be Numbered »
Rays Likely To Fill Outfield Void Through Trade
According to Marc Lancaster, the Rays would prefer to fill their need for a fourth outfielder via trade as opposed to signing a free agent such as Kenny Lofton.
Lancaster notes the Rays are likely to offer one of their surplus of starting pitchers. The Rays have five pitchers competing for the final two spots in the rotation and two of those pitchers (Edwin Jackson and Jason Hammel) are out of options. In addition Lancaster mentions that the Rays have a number of pitching prospects at AA and AAA that could be included in a deal.
The Rays would prefer a player that in addition to regular playing time in right field, can serve as a backup to center fielder BJ Upton. Lancaster lists several players that match this description including Juan Rivera, Reggie Willits, Coco Crisp, Reed Johnson and Ryan Freel. Ken Rosenthal previously said that Willits is untouchable, and Crisp and Johnson seem unlikely as trades rarely occur within a division. The Reds seem like the best fit of this group as they have been rumored to be active in the trade market this off-season for a starting pitcher.
Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d834515b9a69e200e5513d305c8834
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Rays Likely To Fill Outfield Void Through Trade:
Comments
Verify your Comment
Previewing your Comment
This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.
Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.
Top Stories
Search MLBTR
MLBTR Features
Recent Posts
Rumors By Team
Monthly Archives
Live Chats
Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST
What about Jay Payton?
Posted by: kgosfan | March 16, 2008 at 09:34 AM
They didn't specifically say so, but one of the other requirements for the Rays is a player that doesn't completely blow.
Posted by: stellar | March 16, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Maybe Brian Anderson?
Posted by: Commie05 | March 16, 2008 at 10:02 AM
ryan ludwick?
Posted by: samael88 | March 16, 2008 at 10:05 AM
They have an outfield void?
Posted by: icedrake523 | March 16, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Gabe Gross? Tony Gwynn Jr.?
Posted by: Lidocaine | March 16, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Gomes?
Posted by: aklaft | March 16, 2008 at 10:18 AM
LF - Crawford
CF - Upton
RF - Gomes/Floyd
I'm not seeing the void either. Is it really worth trading a young pitcher before the season starts for another random OF? I think it's in their best interest to see how Floyd and Gomes do at RF/DH and make the trade during the season if needed.
Posted by: Mace27 | March 16, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Send them Jerry Owens, Brian Anderson is destroying pitchers this spring, playing outstanding defense, and even taking walks, Jerry is a mediocre at best player, and Brian Anderson is a potential 5-tool player.
Posted by: Jimmywins1 | March 16, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Joe Maddon wants to limit Floyd to DH duties and Gomes is an average defensive outfielder at best. Originally the team was going to go with Foyd/Gomes/Baldelli in RF and DH giving all three regular playing time. The team does not seem sold on Gomes as an everyday option and there is nobody on the team to backup Upton in center. Ben Zobrist was getting looks in center but now he is out a month.
Posted by: Cork Gaines | March 16, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Jason Michaels: Good defender. Can play center in a pinch. Destroys lefties.
Posted by: MickS | March 16, 2008 at 10:49 AM
How about a trade with the Tigers? Freddy Guzman for a reliever.
Posted by: Rob M. | March 16, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Wow! Freddy Guzman. How could they resist that career .213 batting average and .263 on base percentage?
Posted by: MickS | March 16, 2008 at 11:29 AM
The Tigers could definitely use some bullpen help. They'd probably part with Marcus Thames, though this post says they'd like a guy who can also play CF and Thames has never played there
I'd have to guess that the Jays would be interested in an SP for Reed Johnson. I'm not sure they are sold on Jesse Litsch as the #5 guy.
Posted by: Jim T | March 16, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Speaking of the Jays, Ricciardi says last year's #1 pick, LH starting pitcher Brett Cecil, who will open in double-A, is "on the radar" for an appearance with the big club should injuries arise. Though I guess that's a bit off topic.
Posted by: Jim T | March 16, 2008 at 12:31 PM
In TEX, David Murphy seems to be pushing Marlon Byrd into a 4th-OF role. Byrd might be available for cheap, and he can play all 3 OF positions and hit for average. We also seem to have a surplus of relievers. Maybe Byrd + Franklyn German if you're interested? The most we should be asking for for those guys would be 2nd-tier pitching prospects.
Posted by: rangerchick | March 16, 2008 at 03:25 PM
"
LF - Crawford
CF - Upton
RF - Gomes/Floyd
I'm not seeing the void either. Is it really worth trading a young pitcher before the season starts for another random OF? I think it's in their best interest to see how Floyd and Gomes do at RF/DH and make the trade during the season if needed."
Well, that's 4 guys for 4 spots. So, yeah, void. Baldelli was a big part of their plan there, as Mr. Gaines points out, and he may be done for good. Certainly he can't be counted on to contribute anything this season. The fact that they have between 1/2 and 1 major-league caliber CFs (depending on how you view Upton's defense out there) also speaks to the plausibility of a move.
Personally I think Freel to Tampa Bay makes a good deal of sense. He's getting squeezed out in Cincy, and he brings a lot to the table in Tampa (including not being within their division). The Reds probably wouldn't want much for him aside from the aforementioned extra rotation piece, he's fairly cheap ($7m over '08-'09), he plays a "gutsy" CF, can back up corner OF spots, and even provides some insurance in the infield in case something goes wrong with the Iwamura move, if Longoria isn't ready, or just to pair with Hinske as 3B backup.
Posted by: asm | March 16, 2008 at 04:53 PM
Sorry - and he's much better offensively than Marlon Byrd.
Posted by: asm | March 16, 2008 at 04:55 PM
The Rockies are always looking for pitching and have a wealth of young outfielders. Cory Sullivan,Ryan Spillbourghs, and Seth Smith are likely blocked with Holliday and Hawpe on the corners and with Taveras in center
Posted by: Pogue009 | March 16, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Fred Lewis fro SF. He won't get a shot to ever play there anyway
Posted by: The Juice | March 16, 2008 at 06:03 PM
"ASM" - "Freel much better offensively than Byrd"?
'07:
Freel - .245 BA, .308 OBP, 67 OPS+
Byrd - .307 BA including .300 vs. RH'ers, .355 OBP, 113 OPS+
CIN's hitter-friendly park cancels out TEX's, plus Byrd is 3 years younger.
Posted by: rangerchick | March 16, 2008 at 07:28 PM
I think Reggie Willits would fit in perfectly. The Angels have lost Escobar and Lackey to injuries, and their 5th starter looks like Nick Grenn. They need some depth. Willits is blocked and they could trade him to TB for 1 or maybe 2 of the Rays starters. It makes sence to me.
Posted by: Joe | March 16, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Commie05, I agree with you. Brian Anderson is playing himself into a trade this spring training. He is no where in the White Sox future plans. Owens is going to lead off and play center for the next few years unless a veteran (Coco Crisp, ect.) lands in the Sox lap. Swisher will be in Left. And Dye will round out the outfield. And that is set for the next 2 (3 if the Sox exercise Dye's option). I have never been high on Floyd, and after today's outing, we need a fifth starter.
Posted by: ChiSox33 | March 16, 2008 at 08:35 PM