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Bullpen Roundup: Who Should Rays Get; Is Rauch Out In Arizona?
While Tampa Bay is still reeling from another loss due to a faulty bullpen, R.J. Anderson of DRaysBay.com has some suggested additions to the beleaguered group.
- Winston Abreu, currently dominating at Triple-A Durham, could simply be called up.
- Jason Grilli, recently designated for assignment by the Rockies, could be had for nothing.
- Joel Hanrahan, recently taken out of the closer's role by Washington, would require a trade.
Considering that Grant Balfour, Joe Nelson and Dan Wheeler all have ERAs of 5.50 or higher, some fresh arms in the Tampa Bay bullpen would certainly be welcome.
Meanwhile, a less-treasured member of a major-league bullpen is Jon Rauch, who had a closed-door meeting with manager A.J. Hinch after Saturday night's game.
Rauch is still only utilized in low-leverage situations, and it seems he's worn out his welcome in Arizona. But his ERA dropped from 9.31 in April to 3.46 in May, and he's pitched two scoreless innings so far in June.
Whether the Rays, desperately seeking saves, and Rauch, America's tallest reliever, get together remains to be seen. No smoke here yet, let alone fire, but this seems like a natural connection to make.
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David Aardsma
Posted by: blueandteal | June 07, 2009 at 08:20 PM
Mike Gonzalez. Soriano is the better closing option right now and they are both FA at the end of the season, porobably not keeping both anyways so move one for a bat.
Posted by: siskel_god | June 07, 2009 at 08:36 PM
They should bring up Wade Davis and have Price close again (joke)
Posted by: Boomer | June 07, 2009 at 08:47 PM
The Braves should call them and see what they would give up for Mike Gonzalez. The Braves have two closers and only need one of them......and they need to keep Soriano.
Posted by: BravesAllTheWay | June 07, 2009 at 08:52 PM
"They should bring up Wade Davis and have Price close again (joke)"
I know they have kids in the minors that can fill in.
Posted by: 661dodgerblue | June 07, 2009 at 08:59 PM
Question. How much, if any, payroll can the Rays add at the deadline? I assume the number is limited.
Posted by: melonis rex | June 07, 2009 at 09:25 PM
With the track record of the rays(old and hurt closers i.e. Troy and Izzy)... Look for them to sign Wagner this offseason.
Posted by: Boomer | June 07, 2009 at 09:26 PM
Whoever they can get for either league mininum, or the other team pick up the entire tab for. It is simply amazing that this team expects to compete for an entire season with people out and spend -0- money without both a closer and this rag tag bunch of closers.. It ain't gonna happen. Same with the IF they have. Folks, unless the Rays get off the wallet and spend a little and patch a few injuries, this team is going to be lucky to finish 3rd.
Posted by: johns | June 07, 2009 at 09:41 PM
I cant see the Nationals moving Hanrahan. He is one of the few great young bullpen arms they have on that team. I dont think he has the killer instinct to be a closer but I do think he could be a great set up guy.
Grilli.... (shrug) meh. I think he has the arm and the stuff to be a closer but he has always been missing something in his make up and I am not sure what. Maybe the Rays would be a fresh start for him. Who knows.
I know its a long shot but what about Valverde? The Rays are deep enough to be able to offer up something reasonable for him and then do whats needed to lock him up tight with an extension.
Rauch has the look of a closer but I dunno if his stuff would hold up in a closing role in the AL east. I guess it could be worth a shot to pick him up.
Lets face it, in the AL east, you absolutely cannot get by without a rock solid closer. They need to do something asap.
Posted by: xethicx | June 07, 2009 at 11:39 PM
You need more than a closer You need good 7th 8th inning guy plus a good long releiver Becasue NY and BOS are so patient and Bal and toronto can light you up to get to the pen early The rays should of left their hitting alone and went after relievers in the off season but they thought that thier current guys were going to OVER PERFORM again like they did last year as the playoffs showed the true bullpens potetial
Posted by: 26Rings4Ever | June 08, 2009 at 10:25 AM
More insightful opinions from BigEller. It's like a daily segment.
Posted by: nrmax88 | June 08, 2009 at 10:45 AM