Troy Percival Rumors

Odds And Ends: Milledge, Tate, Royals

Links for the morning... As much as Nyjer Morgan has helped the Nationals, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that Lastings Milledge has been a complete pro so far with the Pirates. MLB.com's Corey Brock hears that the Padres are "making progress" towards signing first rounder Donavan Tate. MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports that the D'Backs are making progress with first rounder Bobby Borchering. Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star wonders how much the Royals would improve with a cast of strong fielders. We heard on Sunday that Troy Percival was leaning towards retirement. Now, as MLB.com's Bill Chastain...   Continue Reading

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Percival Leaning Towards Retirement?

When Rays closer Troy Percival hit the disabled list in May, we weren't sure if that would be the last time we'd ever see the righty. Well, according to Marc Topkin of The St. Petersburg Times, manager Joe Maddon recently spoke to Percival and is "under the impression his career is over." Paul Cohen, Pervical's agent, indicated that his client was having severe back problems and is seeing a specialist this week about a possible fusion, but said that the decision to retire hasn't been made yet. Maddon would like to see the team have a day to honor Percival...   Continue Reading

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Percival Might Not Be Done Yet

The St. Petersburg Times reports that the Rays' injured closer, Troy Pervical, may not be ready to call it quits on his career just yet. Percival, 39, is working with a chiropractor, and needs to get feeling back in his right arm before he makes a decision on the season. Manager Joe Maddon commented on Percival's situation: "He's going to continue to work on trying to get the feeling back in his arm, right shoulder down through the bicep area to his elbow," Maddon said. "We're just on hold." Maddon had originally said he wouldn't be surprised if Percival hung...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Beltre, Rusch, Percival, Price

Links for Friday evening... As Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times explains, Adrian Beltre's trade value is diminishing because teams are no longer confident that he'll be a Type A free agent. This means the team that trades for Beltre can't expect two compensation picks for losing the third baseman to free agency. MLB.com's Mark Bowman argues that the Braves need to make an immediate change to their outfield and says there's an "indication that we'll begin to see it in the near future." He says the Braves must consider dealing the powerless Jeff Francoeur, or at least finding a...   Continue Reading

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Perrotto's Latest: Position Battles, Roberts, Pudge

John Perrotto's Every Given Sunday column is up over at Baseball Prospectus. This week, he takes a look at some of the position battles teams will face entering Spring Training. And, as always, there's some interesting items in his Rumors & Rumblings section. Let's take a look: Some of the more interesting position battles mentioned: 1B/DH/RF in Oakland (Daric Barton, Jack Cust, Jason Giambi, Aaron Cunningham, and Travis Buck all in the mix), Tampa's closer if Troy Percival gets hurt or falters (Dan Wheeler, J.P. Howell, Grant Balfour), and the White Sox rotation behind John Danks, Mark Buerhle, and Gavin...   Continue Reading

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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Pirates, Rays, Pettitte, Cubs, Dodgers, Gomes, Mauer, Cruz

On this date 28 years ago, the Red Sox traded Fred Lynn to the California Angels for Frank Tanana and Joe Rudi. After six seasons that included an MVP and six all-star appearances, the Red Sox were forced to trade Lynn when the front office failed to mail a new contract to Lynn by the mandated deadline. Without the new contract, Boston was faced with the possibility that Lynn would be declared a free agent (Carlton Fisk was declared a free agent for the same reason). The player's association dropped their case when Lynn agreed to a contract extension with...   Continue Reading

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Rays Sign Joe Nelson

4:18pm: Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times has a post up about the signing. He writes that Nelson gives the Rays another closer option, just in case Troy Percival isn't ready to go following his back surgery. Topkin, who states about 20 teams had interest in Nelson, adds the deal is pending a physical. 2:36pm: Right-handed reliever Joe Nelson has signed with the Tampa Bay Rays, Clark Spencer of The Miami Herald is reporting. It's a one-year deal worth $1.3MM. Nelson, 34, was with the Marlins last season.   Continue Reading

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Percival Return Will Cause Roster Crunch

MLB.com's Bill Chastain writes of an impending Rays roster crunch. Closer Troy Percival can come off the DL Friday. Percival's replacement, Grant Balfour, doesn't deserve a demotion. He's out of options, and the Rays would have to sneak him through waivers to get him back to Triple A. Balfour did clear waivers in April. Given his situation and success this year, perhaps we can add Balfour to our Reliever Market list. The Rays acquired Balfour from the Brewers for Seth McClung last July. He's endured all kinds of injury problems but seems on track in '08. DRays Bay suggests keeping...   Continue Reading

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Topkin On Percival

I recently named the St. Petersburg Times' Marc Topkin as Rumor Royalty for the Rays. He was kind enough to answer a few questions for the site. MLBTR: Who gets more saves in '08, Troy Percival or Al Reyes? Is there any chance the Rays shop Reyes now? Topkin: Percival will get most of the save opportunities, probably all except when he needs a day off. Reyes could be traded, but I think Wheeler is more likely to go. (Unless one of them learns how to pitch lefthanded!   Continue Reading

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Percival To Rays, Riske To Brewers

UPDATE, 11-29-07 at 8pm: Marc Topkin reports that Percival did indeed take and pass a physical with the Rays. FROM 11-29-07 at 6pm: Couple of notes for your drive-time commute. Ken Rosenthal reports that Troy Percival will sign with the Rays for two years and $8 million. Incentives could push it to $10 million. Here's something you don't see every day: they're not making him take a physical - though they have seen his medical records. Apparently the Yankees threw more cash at him, but he opted for the closing opportunity in Tampa Bay. I wonder where that leaves Al..   Continue Reading

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