The Rays are not considering free agent Ivan Rodriguez as an option at catcher, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN.com. Tampa Bay is in need of a backup to Jose Molina but it doesn’t appear that the Scott Boras client will be the answer.
The Mets were once linked to the 40-year-old but two team sources shut the door on that possibility late last month. Pudge has reportedly fielded a few inquiries, including one from the Diamondbacks, but is in search of a job that will give him a decent amount of playing time.
Good thing. The Rays don’t need Pudge. We need more youth! I think we should trade Niemann or Davis for Soto.
Pudge is a great backup I think. If Nationals still had a vacancy, he would be my first choice.
Be careful moving that excess pitching there. I agree that Niemann isn’t
much, but Davis have always been impressed with and he would probably
be a decent #3-4 on many teams, just being with a team like the rays,
loaded with options is why he is always fighting for a job and Niemann?
He is always fighting his mechanics, never gets his footwork and
mechanics down. TB probably should have moved him last season before his
value went down a little more, but still.. If they do move one, he is
the guy.
Davis hasn’t really panned out, and he had a lot of potential. I wouldnt give up on him yet unless some team will give you value.
Niemann is much better than Davis. Absolutely no doubt about it. End of story.
I will agree with you, what I posted above his issues are, but he has problems maintaining his mechanics from start to start. variations like he has, from good to abysmal are not what a team like the Rays with a deep core of starters would like to see and at least Wade is fairly consistent.
Not saying his overall “stuff” is better now..
I will give you an example here.. Andrew Miller is another example of a big man who has excellent stuff.. probably better than nieman, because he throws harder with his FB hitting the mid 90’s. Then his mechanics vary widely from start to start and he will have a good game and 3 bad ones. using 2011 as an example for Miller.
it’s the “big man” curse.. Maintaining proper footwork and mechanics with so much to keep together.
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I’d rather hold onto our pitching and I’m sorry but Davis isn’t as good as Niemann…he loses concentration and gives up big innings. He has more potential upside than Niemann but that doesn’t translate into him being a more solid choice because of what he “may” do. I’d like to see them sign Pudge to a deal for like $1 mill with performance incentives. If Molina faulters and he produces, then he’ll get his playing time. If he’s done, then you’re not out very much money. And if they were going to trade for a catcher I would much rather have Kurt Suzuki over Soto.
I’ll give you the loses concentration, with tons of his damage coming from the 7-8-9 hitters.
part one of an extensive 30-part Not Interested in Ivan Rodriguez series here on MLBTR
I laughed.
The Red Sox should sign Pudge
Be better off with Pudge Fisk (obvious answer, I know)
The Rays could use a starter to Jose Molina
Good. Time to trade Davis for a starting catcher
Pudge is my alltime favorite player. I would like to see him on the reds or back on the tigers
He is my favorite player. I would love to see him on the reds or tigers