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Rays Rumors: Zobrist, Iwamura, Kapler

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [October 16, 2009 at 3:53pm CST]

MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez provides the latest on a few Tampa Bay Rays:

If Ben Zobrist becomes the team's everyday second baseman, the club may decide to bring free agent-to-be Gabe Kapler back as a backup outfielder. Kapler made $1MM this year and hit .239/.329/.439 in 245 trips to the plate.
If the club keeps Zobrist at second, it appears highly unlikely that the Rays would pick up Akinori Iwamura's $4.25MM option.
Other club options to watch: Carl Crawford at $10MM, Gregg Zaun at $2MM and Brian Shouse at $1.9MM.
It's likely that the team will look for affordable late-inning relief help.

Comments

Why not pick up Iwamura's option with the intent to trade him. I'm certain they could get something nice back for him.

Posted by: start_wearing_purple | October 16, 2009 at 03:58 PM

There isn't a hope in hell that the Rays would decline Crawford's option. At a minimum, he's worth a king's ransom on the trade market. Letting him go for nothing by declining the option- just isn't an option.

Posted by: Tigerdog | October 16, 2009 at 04:05 PM

I think Billy Wagner might make a good fit for the rays. They seem to love older RP anyways.

Posted by: mewruler | October 16, 2009 at 04:05 PM

They can't afford Wagner unless he plays for a load of incentives.

Posted by: Kinsm | October 16, 2009 at 04:14 PM

incentives like being a closer for a team with a shot at the postseason and a chance to get 400th career save?

Posted by: Halos77 | October 16, 2009 at 04:21 PM

There's plenty of teams who can give him a shot at the postseason and a chance for 400 career saves.

And most of them will give him a decent chunk of money to go with it.

I'd have to think Wags would really have to love Tampa Bay (what's not to love, though?) in order for them to get him.

Posted by: WS2009 | October 16, 2009 at 04:51 PM

How about a trade involving KC Royal Joakim Soria? He will only cost $7 million over the next two years...

Posted by: wcg1380 | October 16, 2009 at 05:12 PM

So what does this mean for Reid Brignac and Sean Rodriguez?

Rodriguez has certainly done enough to earn a shot a full-time job, and Zobrist is probably 1-2 years out from that. Are the Rays content to have the best 2B/SS combo in the minors or are they going to leverage these guys? Make room for them?

Posted by: afdaddy | October 16, 2009 at 05:22 PM

If I'm the Rays, I'd be pretty content with my 2B/SS combo. I just don't know where Rodriguez and Brignac fit in right now. Maybe they move Zobrist to left and train Brignac to 2B. Maybe involve Rodriguez in a trade? Of course it could be done vice versa, but I'm sure they would rather keep Brignac over Rodriguez.

Posted by: WS2009 | October 16, 2009 at 05:55 PM

Sean Rodriguez will be up with the Rays next season, either as the permanent 2B or utility role. Brignac will never be a permanent starter with the Rays and is likely trade bait. I can easily see the Rays picking up Aki's option to eventually trade him at some point next season, this was we get something for him.

Posted by: Rays2385 | October 16, 2009 at 06:11 PM

Actually I got my named mixed up, sorry about that. I meant to say they would probably rather have S- Rod over Brignac. I'm not real sure, because I don't know these guys too well. You can't really tell from the stats; especially Rodriguez. Maybe a Dan Uggla kind of guy?

Posted by: WS2009 | October 16, 2009 at 06:43 PM

Aki wouldn't be a bad fit in St. Louis at 3B. He plays it nearly as good as he does 2b and can always ignore LaRussa with the language barrier if he thinks he is FOS anyway...

Posted by: johns | October 17, 2009 at 09:31 AM

Zobrist is a beast! I was shocked to find out on fangraphs he should have been been the highest paid player in all of baseball.

Posted by: tinynick | October 17, 2009 at 12:05 PM

Rays need to sign Aki. Aki said he wants to stay and would negotiate his contract. Bartlett and Aki are one of the best combos in the league and Probably the best at turning 2.

Zobrist can take RF and eliminate the constant lineup changes Madden makes to counter all his silly matchups.

With that, Kapler, Gross, Shouse and a few others need released so they can get Crawford wrapped up and hopefully and finally get a closer.

Posted by: TriplePlay | October 17, 2009 at 08:55 PM

Maybe the Twins and Rays could swap Jesse Crain and Akinori Iwamura. I think it would be a good fit for both teams. The Rays have too many options at MI and the Twins bullpen options are numerous (Nathan, Guerrier, Mijares, Rauch, Duensing, Gabino, Slama, Delaney, Keppel, Neshek?, Bonser?).
I would rather see a solid, but inexpensive option at 2B like Iwamura and go after a good SS like Hardy or Drew (if they are really available). If Valencia could play 3B an infield of Morneau, Iwamura, Hardy, and Valencia would be very solid (not to mention Punto, Harris and Casilla available for injuries/bench options). If Valencia isn't ready you have Harris, Iwamura and Punto who can split time between 2B and 3B.

Posted by: NickL1538 | October 23, 2009 at 09:13 AM

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Rays Rumors: Zobrist, Iwamura, Kapler

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