Price Could Force Rays To Make Trade
Marc Topkin and Joe Smith are reporting that the Rays still think ’07 first-overall pick David Price is "in need of minor-league development," and could be headed to triple-A Durham to start the season. Price is hoping to force the Rays’ hand and make the opening day roster.
"It’s not very fun if I’m not here competing for a job," Price said Monday. "That’s what I came here for, to compete for that fifth spot, and that’s what I want to do. … I want them to not be able to look me in the eyes at the end of spring training and tell me I’m going to (Triple-A) Durham."
If Price can win the final spot in the rotation, the Rays would likely only have room for one of Jeff Niemann and Jason Hammel as a long reliever in the bullpen. Both players are out of minor league options and both would certainly be claimed if the Rays try to sneak them through waivers. If Price impresses in spring training, the Rays may be forced to deal prior to opening day.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Cubs Rumors: Schilling, Peavy
Let’s talk about the Cubs’ connection to starters Curt Schilling and Jake Peavy.
- Schilling is undecided on pitching in 2009, but if he does he’d be interested in the Cubs and Rays, among other teams. As a reminder, here’s Schilling’s list of ten preferred teams from October of 2007. Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times finds it a "long shot" that the Cubs would pursue Schilling, while Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune thinks the Cubs "probably would take a flier on him, at the right price."
- Wittenmyer and Sullivan have quotes from Peavy, who denied singing "Go Cubs Go" at a Vegas bar in December. Peavy had kind words for the Cubs, but the two teams are not talking trade currently.
- In a related story, Sullivan’s heard that Padres CEO Sandy Alderson could take a similar role with the Cubs once new owner Tom Ricketts takes over. Alderson declined comment.
Schilling Would Pitch For Cubs, Rays
SUNDAY, 2:05pm: Schilling clarifies his thoughts about the Cubs on his blog. He reminds us that he hasn’t decided whether to return, but if he does he says he’d consider pitching for the Cubs. Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune heard from a Cubs official who wasn’t surprised to hear Schilling’s interested. Sullivan thinks the Cubs would take a flier on Schilling at the right price.
8:25pm: The St. Petersburg Times’ Joe Smith recalls Schilling’s comments about the Rays from 2007:
"It’s one of those situations you’d certainly have to look at," said the 42-year-old right-hander. "Knowing that I’m probably going to spend one more year playing, if circumstances happen and things happen and they made some moves that were positive, I’d love nothing more than to finish my career working on a pitching staff where I know that there are young guys that are going to be positively impacted by me being around (after) I was gone. I enjoy that. I love working and talking and being around young pitchers."
SATURDAY, 1:34pm: David Whitley of the Orlando Sentinel reports that Curt Schilling would be interested in coming back to baseball to pitch for either the Chicago Cubs or the Tampa Bay Rays. Writes Whitley:
Schilling, who has a career mark of 216-146, said money would not be a major issue. He’s looking for a team that has championship potential and has never won a title. "The challenge would be in a place like Tampa Bay or Chicago," he said.
Schilling is not aiming to be on an Opening Day roster, and furthermore has yet to decide whether to come back next season at all. "I’m hemming and hawing right now," Schilling said; "I’ll make a decision in the next couple of weeks."
Rays Ink 17 Pre-Arb Players
According to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, the Rays agreed to contracts with 17 pre-arbitration players Wednesday.
B.J. Upton, Matt Garza and Andy Sonnanstine had their contracts renewed. As Tim has noted several times in the past, before players are eligible for arbitration, the team basically gets to decide their salaries.
Rays Lack Payroll Flexibility
Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times talked to Rays owner Stu Sternberg, who said the Rays lack payroll flexibility to make an in-season acquisition. Still, Sternberg left the door open to change his mind midsummer. I wonder if the Rays could move a reliever and trim $3MM or so.
The Pudge Rodriguez Market
Ivan Rodriguez is past his prime by about a decade, but still he caught over 100 games last year and put up an OPS of .713. Let’s take a look at the possible suitors for Pudge and the teams that have said they won’t pursue him:
- Astros GM Ed Wade said earlier in the week that he doesn’t intend to sign Pudge, regardless of Toby Hall‘s shoulder.
- The Mets don’t appear to be interested either.
- On Sunday, Pudge said he wants to sign with the Astros, Mets or Marlins. The first two teams don’t seem interested, so could the Marlins offer him a minor league deal? Currently their catchers are John Baker and Mike Rabelo.
- DRaysBay suggests the Rays could use Rodriguez to back up Dioner Navarro.
- This is pure speculation on my part, but the A’s, whose current backup is Rob Bowen, have been willing to give veterans second chances before. Mike Piazza, Frank Thomas (twice) and now Nomar Garciaparra have all attracted Billy Beane’s attention, so why not Rodriguez?
Lots of teams could use catching depth; which one’s the best fit for Pudge?
Rays Sign Isringhausen To Minor-League Deal
According to Mark Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, the Rays have signed veteran reliever Jason Isringhausen to a minor-league deal.
Once one of the league’s premier closers, Isringhausen is coming off arguably his worst season in ten years. After posting a 5.70 ERA in 42.2 innings, he had surgery Sept. 12 to repair a torn flexor tendon. He lives in the Tampa Bay area.
Indians Acquire Salas, Designate Marte
According to MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince, the Indians acquired reliever Juan Salas from the Rays today for infielder Isaias Velasquez. The Tribe designated one-time top prospect Andy Marte (who is out of options) for assignment to make room. Salas had been designated for assignment by Tampa Bay when they added Brian Shouse.
Salas, 30, posted a 2.62 ERA in 44.6 Triple A innings last year with excellent strikeout and walk numbers. Salas’ history includes a PED suspension, a falsified birth date, and a conversion from third base. Aside from that he’s known for his cutter. Salas dealt with an epileptic seizure, a sore elbow, and visa problems in ’08. Velasquez, 20, hit .281/.368/.343 last year in Low A ball.
Marte was a regular on Baseball America top 100 prospects lists – 40th in ’03, 11th in ’04, 9th in ’05, and 14th in ’06. He was traded by the Braves to the Red Sox for Edgar Renteria in December of ’05, and then flipped to the Indians the following month along with Guillermo Mota, Kelly Shoppach, Randy Newsom, and cash for Coco Crisp, David Riske, and Josh Bard.
Rays, Willy Aybar Agree To Multiyear Deal
3:01pm: Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times has the financial details of Aybar’s deal.
9:23am: According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Rays and infielder Willy Aybar avoided arbitration and agreed to a multiyear deal worth $2.6MM plus incentives.
Aybar’s likely deal has been known for a while now; it should be two years plus an option. I believe Aybar is a Super Two player, in which case the deal would not buy up all four of his arb years.
Rays Ink Adam Kennedy To Minor League Deal
According to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, the Rays have added infielder Adam Kennedy on a minor league contract.
Kennedy was released by the Cardinals about a week ago. St. Louis has to foot the bill for his $4MM ’09 salary, so it’s a fairly low-risk signing by the Rays. The 33-year-old hit .280/.321/.372 last season with two home runs and 36 RBI in 339 at-bats. He’ll earn just the league minimum ($400K) from the Rays if he makes the roster.
"We talk a lot about depth, and I think this move fits perfectly in line with that," Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said Tuesday. "He’s a tremendous defender, he does a lot of things well and we’re anxious to watch him play on a daily basis.”