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Rays Preparing Offer For Fuentes?
In this piece by Troy E. Renck, the Rays have had scouts at Coors Field over the weekend and are preparing to make an offer for Brian Fuentes.
"Tampa Bay is preparing to make the most aggressive play for the Rockies' closer, according to a major-league source... Opposing executives who have spoken with Tampa Bay say the Rays are determined to bolster their bullpen in an attempt to create separation between them and the Red Sox."
The Rockies have been seeking "one quality player", says Renck, in return for Fuentes. The Rays could offer either Double-A RHP starters Wade Davis or Jeremy Hellickson, both of whom the Rockies have expressed interest in.
Davis, 23, has made 18 starts for Double-A Montgomery with a 3.98 ERA over 101.2 IP with a 6.64 K/9. Hellickson, 21, has been having an outstanding season in Montgomery Double-A and Vero Beach Single-A ball, going 7-2 with a 2.85 ERA with 87 K in 85 IP. He has struggled some since being promoted to Double-A.
Acquiring Fuentes would take an option away from Boston as well as provide the Rays with another lefty reliever and increased depth at closer should Troy Percival remain incapable.
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GO RAYS! All those years of cellar dwelling has really paid off and now they're buyers for the first time. Good Luck Tampa!
Posted by: BaLLooNNoT | July 06, 2008 at 09:46 AM
That would be a dumb move for the Rays. Those are two of the top 10 pitching prospects in the game. I really don't see the Rays offering either of those players for 20 innings of Fuentes.
Posted by: Jonathan C. Mitchell | July 06, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Man, the Rays are such an awesome story this year. I know their fanbase is thin, but congrats to whoever stuck with them, they are gonna be stacked for years to come. I love watching a team with speed, and clearly they've got it in spades. Couple that with a ridiculous amount of quality arms within the system and phew... I really hope they become the new kings of the AL East for the next 5-8 years.
Seeing as I'm only a few weeks removed from the Buccos being mathematically eliminated, I'm rooting for a D-Backs/ Rays World Series.
Posted by: bucs_lose_again | July 06, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I agree that Wade Davis or Jeremy Hellickson for Fuentes would be a dumb move. I think an offer of Edwin Jackson/Andy Sonnanstine/Jeff Niemann/Jason Hammel would make more sense.
BTW, If the Rays are just scouting Coors Field, then how do you know if they're after Brian Fuentes or Matt Holliday? I think a package of Davis/Hellickson and Reid Brignac would be more than enough to get it done for Matt Holliday. Maybe make a huge deal or this.
Matt Holliday
Brian Fuentes
For
Wade Davis/Jeremy Hellickson
Reid Brignac
Edwin Jackson
Posted by: Joe | July 06, 2008 at 11:28 AM
prospects being overrated by fans etc... but if I'm the Rays I'm not giving up Hellickson for Fuentes. Townsend can go.
Posted by: gogopalehose | July 06, 2008 at 12:07 PM
*davis
Posted by: gogopalehose | July 06, 2008 at 12:08 PM
gogopalehose,
Wade Davis was the 17th best prospect in the MLB according to Baseball America. No way should the Rays give him up for 20-25 innings of Brian Fuentes. I think 6 years of Jeff Nieumann- The 99th best prospect according to Baseball America- is fair enough.
Posted by: Joe | July 06, 2008 at 12:48 PM
What you're all forgetting is that Fuentes is probably a type A free agent after the season, although I don't know the numbers well enough to know if it depends on him closing the rest of the season.
It's likely that the Rays would get 2 picks in the top 45 picks of next year's draft; which with their tack record would bode well for the future.
All that being said I'm a Rox fan and would be happy with Davis - or even Niemann as Joe proposes.
Posted by: Hizilla | July 06, 2008 at 05:55 PM
I can't see the Sox, needing a bullpen arm, letting Fuentes go to a divisional contender for just Niemann. Not saying Boston lands Fuentes but if the Santana sweepstakes was any indication, they certainly enjoy bumping the price for others.
Posted by: GoBoSox420 | July 06, 2008 at 06:51 PM
I expect this Fuentes deal to happen, and as a Rox fan, I would be perfectly satisfied if the Rockies received Jeff Niemann, and either a power arm from your current bullpen (Balfour for example) or Edwin Jackson in return for Fuentes and a PTBNL. However, if the Rockies manage to steal Wade Davis, all the power to us!
Posted by: hollidayrain | July 08, 2008 at 01:10 AM