The Rays have acquired outfielder Kyle Hudson from the Rangers for future considerations, reports Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News (on Twitter). Texas signed him to a minor league deal back in January.
The 25-year-old hit .296/.375/.336 line with 41 stolen bases in 485 minor league plate appearances last season. Hudson also appeared in 14 Major League games for the Orioles as a September callup.
New 4th OF ?
Seems legit
You sure ? ^^
They’ll use him as a replacement for BJ and Sam Fuld until they’re back from injury. He’s got the wheels, so he’ll do the job.
I’m excited for this year ! Think were pretty solid in every aspect of the game !
Heard today on their game that Upton might be out longer than the 15 days already that his back could be an issue for quite some time? if that is so, they could get their real wish and leave Jennings as the CF 1 year early.
Still may want to get a 4th OF more established than Hudson if Upton will miss considerable time, or be out off and on with his back.
I dont think they’re real wish is to have Jennings move into CF at the expense of Upton’s injury.
Also it’s possible they would keep Jennings in left even if Upton were to be traded/leave at FA since he’s only played CF once this spring.
Nobody wants to see an injury of course, but wasn’t the plan all along for jennings to replace Upton? TB was never going to resign him once the price started escalating and his bat continued declining after 2007.
Jennings is all upside and always thought it made sense here at least.
I just think it’s a bit interesting that the Rays haven’t let Jennings play CF at all this spring if they intend to slot him over.
I don’t know if that was the plan all along. I mean when Crawford left everybody was saying how Jennings was his replacement, and now that Upton is leaving it’s his replacement.
Since his defense is up to par, I can see TB willing to resign Upton. He’s stated before he would like to talk extension. But yeah he may be wanting more than they would be willing.
Rays should of traded BJ last year. Value down. I just don’t see him as a stud anymore.
Rays don’t really trade many players if they’re worth more to them to keep than trade.
well that would be every team….. his point is that he is worth more for them to trade than to keep
and my point is that he is worth more to keep than to trade. Last year and more likely this year.
Correct… Upton has more value to the Rays than most teams.. The value to keep is higher than sell.. Especially since OF depth is lacking for the Rays… Jennings will be in CF, Zobrist in right field and Joyce in left..
and your 2012 MVP is kyle hudson!
MLB 2K12 sure likes him. Look for a .280/.415/.400 with 10 homers and 125 steals this year.
The Rays seem to be trying to keep Guyer down as long as they can to mature.
was really hoping bj would perform ala adrian beltre in a contract year
I really don’t think he has (or ever had) the offensive upside of Adrian Beltre.
Not saying that should he ever get moved to a place like Arlington, he couldn’t put up some better offensive numbers, but Upton is just too much of a free swinger and a guess hitter much of the time.
I would like to see him take the same approach (patient) on a consistent basis, but he gets into these funks at the plate where he just doesn’t look good at all for long periods IMO. Sure, Beltre does not have the eye for walking and patience at the plate, but even when he gets out of his rhythm he is generally able to foul of pitches.
Why have been hoping for last year or so upton could somehow end up with the nats so he could somehow get back to *possibly* close to his ’07 numbers again.
I still remember this guy alligator-arming passes from Juice Williams when running over the middle. Ugh, so many facepalms at Memorial Stadium when #21 was on the field.
Looks like he made the right choice with this whole baseball thing.
Fellow Illini alum I take it?
I definitely had my fair share of screaming bouts both in my living room and at Memorial Stadium with Williams and Hudson. The guy DEFINITELY made the right call to go with baseball.
Hudson is a one, maybe two-dimensional player. He has speed and he can play defense. He is an average hitter, he has decent on base skills, and has no power whatsoever. He has ZERO home runs as a professional. He only got called up last year because the O’s needed healthy bodies, and if they really thought he had any potential as a regular there were plenty of other options to move off the 40-man then him. His bat is bigger than his arms.
Hey Rays fans, remember Joey Gathright? This is Gathright 2.0, only with less speed, less power, and a few more walks.
Not as fast as Gathright. The only reason I disagree with your post is the Rays seem to keep turning players no one has any faith in, into useful parts.
Spilborghs and Loewen are still out there . Just sayin …