The Rays are closing in on a Major League deal with infielder Jeff Keppinger, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. The team will likely finalize an agreement with the CSE client by the end of the week.
Keppinger posted a .277/.300/.377 line in 399 plate appearances for the Astros and Giants in 2011. The 31-year-old only played second base last year, but he has started 80-plus games at shortstop and third base in his seven-year career. Keppinger earned $2.3MM last year and would have obtained a raise through arbitration, so the Giants non-tendered him in December, holding onto Mike Fontenot instead.
Just one little question.
Why?
The Rays need depth at the infield position . Much better than Brignac !
Brignac has an incredible glove at both SS and 2B and since either one is just going to be a back up anyway, I prefer the defense. It’s like having a 2nd closer to bring in Reid in the 9th.
dnt forget about sean rodriguez
One of the best defenders at 2B in the AL but he is still a work in progress at SS. So far, so good but Reid is automatic at SS.
He’s a much better hitter and he owns lefties
Yeah, I just saw the career numbers vs lefties and decided this is a good signing. Still don’t like his defense, but they can’t all be great, even on the Rays. I take this one back and my only “why” of the Rays off season has been Rodney, otherwise, they have done a great job.
I wasn’t thrilled with the Rodney signing but he does have potential. And those guys who have that potential usually find it in Tampa (Farnsworth, Cruz, Benoit, etc.)
Who is he going to replace in the lineup against LHP? I think I would have preferred Guyer or Canzler.
Sorry, double post
Replaces EJ (infield sub), and will start games against tough lefties (@.800 OPS for career against lefties) at 2B, allowing Zobrist to replace Pena or Joyce in the lineup. Keeps the Rays lefty heavy lineup from being too weak against the likes of Sabathia, Lester, etc….
I totally agree with you that he has a great glove !!!!
Keppinger’s glove isn’t great, but he’ll be fine. We have Brignac or Sean Rodriguez to sub if need be
Rays are going all out on this year.
bump
It really would be best if you keep this name until Kotchman passes away.
Rays need the depth, i think they could trade one of there starters like, davis, niemann, torres, cobb for a good/great bat.
I wanted that great bat real bad for a while but after signing both Scott and Pena and knowing the Rays already went over what they budgeted, I would be more than happy with a nice C prospect. Or a power prospect….if he’s a catcher and he his power, well, we’re not getting him!
Their payroll is around $65 million right now, and if we can trade Upton and Davis for a bat, then our payroll shouldn’t increase at all
Love this signing. He hits lefties extremely well.
Let’s recap the Rays off season, this being before an SP is traded for help in 2012 or in the future and hopefully before we find a way to get another C…
Sonny -> Badenhop (very nice)
Cruz -> Rodney (Both have very live arms and control issues, push)
Shop -> Molina (Neither can hit but you don’t run on a Molina so upgrade)
Damon -> Scott (Not everyone loved it but I did, I did a lot, more power from our DH spot and this one can actually play 1B and soon enough LF and RF, not just DH like Johnny
Kotchman -> Pena (HR’s = runs, a little more runs and we win that ALDS, you never know what happens after that, love this upgrade)
Niemann/Davis -> Moore (hasn’t proven anything but the potential to be a HUGE upgrade)
Probably Elliot -> Keppinger (Elliot couldn’t do his 1 job which was to bunt, upgrade)
There is one hole though, not loving Chirinos/Lobaton on the roster as of now, as bad as Jaso was, I hope we trade for a catcher.
They will keep both. Joe wants Jose to mentor them.
Chirinos/Lobaton are a work in progress. Chirinos had some clutch hits last year. I kinda like them both. It would be nice if they could stay away from the injury bug. I think Molina will prove to be a valuable asset and will help these young guys improve their game.
I don’t know what’s slower: keppinger moving to his left (or right) on the field or bengie molina running the bases.
Hopefully it’s Bengie. Are you kidding me?
Hopefully it’s Bengie. Are you kidding me?
Speaking of SS’s, we are inviting Beckham to ST again this year. Isn’t he going to be out of options? I’m wondering how far away he really is. He’s Durham bound but I wonder how close to Tampa is.
I’m pretty sure ST invites don’t count for options. I think it only matters if he is on the 40 man or not. As of right now, Beckham is still not on the 40 man and probably won’t be until later in the year, if at all.
A player’s 3 seasons of assignment options don’t start until the player is placed on the team’s 40-man roster. A player is allowed 4 (5 if turned pro at age 18) seasons of pro-ball before having to go on the 40-man roster to be protected from Rule 5 draft.
P.S. A player gets 4 seasons of assignment options if he goes onto 40-man roster right out of high school.
A player’s 3 seasons of assignment options don’t start until the player is placed on the team’s 40-man roster. A player is allowed 4 (5 if turned pro at age 18) seasons of pro-ball before having to go on the 40-man roster to be protected from Rule 5 draft.
P.S. A player gets 4 seasons of assignment options if he goes onto 40-man roster right out of high school.
Now lets just deal Davis/Neiman for an everyday catcher and this will be one strong lineup. I’m feeling much better going into spring training this year than I did last year.
If we can get a useful catcher back for Niemann/Davis then we are just 1 move away from finishing off the roster. I think they trade the SP for prospects though and I’m hopeful we trade for a Soto/Suzuki type.
If we can get a useful catcher back for Niemann/Davis then we are just 1 move away from finishing off the roster. I think they trade the SP for prospects though and I’m hopeful we trade for a Soto/Suzuki type.
So I am assuming if this is really a Major League deal, Elliot Johnson gets DFA’d?
He was getting DFA’d anyways, but correct.