Rays Turning Smart??

[love_that_reefer]

The Rays have already made great efforts to improve the team's weaknesses and it looks like they are continuing this trend.

The Rays have made Edwin Jackson available in trade talks, and the Mariners are believed to be interested.
Jackson had a solid second half as a starter for Tampa Bay, posting a 4.48 ERA. As things stand now, he would battle Andy Sonnanstine, Jason Hammel and Jeff Niemann for one of two openings in the Tampa Bay rotation. That the Rays are willing to deal him, perhaps for a catcher or a right fielder, suggests they may want to add one more veteran to the rotation mix. Jackson is out of options, so they have less flexibility with him than with the other candidates.

Jackson has no place being in any team's rotation but if a team is dumb enough to take them, great news for the Rays.

[love_that_reefer]

The Cincinnati Post's C. Trent Rosecrans is hearing word of a possible Rays-Nationals deal as being done.
We know the two sides have talked about Elijah Dukes. The Nationals no longer need the outfielder with Lastings Milledge in town, but GM Jim Bowden probably wouldn't mind the surplus if Dukes came cheap. If it's not Dukes, perhaps the trade involved Edwin Jackson or maybe Felipe Lopez.

If they dump either Dukes or Jackson, it's a plus for the Rays. Both are wasting roster spots.

[DirtyKash]

Don't use "Rays" and "smart" in the same sentence. They traded away Delmon Young for nothing.

[love_that_reefer]

Nothing? You yourself shouldn't say anything about being smart!

[love_that_reefer]

The Washington Post reports that the Nationals will only be giving up a minor leaguer for Elijah Dukes.
It looks like the Rays decided enough was enough and simply salvaged what little they could after Dukes' latest incident in the Dominican Republic. Tampa Bay wanted to open up a roster spot anyway, so the player the team gets back probably won't be on the 40-man roster.

Good! Rays should have been happy with just getting a couple of box seats at the new Nats stadium. Dukes was a distraction who wasn't that good to begin with. He should feel at home in a city with one of the highest crime rates.

[love_that_reefer]

Left-hander Glenn Gibson is going from the Nationals to the Rays for Elijah Dukes.
The Rays could have done worse here, as Gibson, a 2006 fourth-round pick, ranked among the Nationals' top-10 prospects. The trade is expected to be officially announced at 6 p.m. EST.

At least they got a pitcher in the deal. Dukes is going to compete for the 4th OFer spot.

[love_that_reefer]

The Rays turned down the Mariners' offer of a Ben Broussard-for-Edwin Jackson trade, according to the Seattle Times.
It's possible that Broussard could be non-tendered later this month, while Jackson figures to have a spot in Tampa Bay's rotation after finishing the season with a strong second half.

OK, maybe I spoke too soon. Why would anyone turn this down?? Sure he might be available if he is non-tender but why take that chance? Broussard is better option than Jonny Gomes to DH and play first IMO. Rays could then trade Gomes for whatever. And on top of all of this, the Rays would be getting rid of the waste of space Edwin Jackson!!! Sonnanstine can fill his spot. Hell, I can fill his spot.

[love_that_reefer]

The Rays are "firmly in the mix" for Ron Mahay, according to the Tampa Tribune.
The newspaper reports that the 36-year-old Mahay has "narrowed his list of serious suitors to the Rays, Yankees, Royals, Giants and Astros." With that much interest, he might be able to top J.C. Romero's three-year, $12 million deal.

Rays would be smart not to do this. Rays have already spent a bundle on an old relief pitcher.

[RedsoxFan03]

Don't use "Rays" and "smart" in the same sentence. They traded away Delmon Young for nothing.

Matt Garza is nothing?

[love_that_reefer]

Rays selected outfielder Rashad Eldridge with the first pick of the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft.
Not only were the Twins the hardest hit team in the major league phase of the draft, but they also lost Eldridge and Josh Hill (to Pittsburgh) to start the Triple-A picks. Eldridge, a 26-year-old center fielder, hit .291/.360/.429 in 361 at-bats for Double-A New Britain last season. A switch-hitter with fine defensive skills, he could be a candidate to see time with the Rays as a bench player.

They needed some OF depth and got some. Rays have Crawford, Upton, Baldelli, Ruggiano and Gomes as OFers now. Rays are also in talks with Michael Barret who will provide more offense than Navarro.

[love_that_reefer]

The Rays are reportedly working to sign James Shields to a long-term deal following his breakthrough 2007 season.
The St. Petersburg Times speculates that Shields could get as many as six or seven years, though we find that hard to believe, unless option seasons are being counted. Shields is a better bet than most to stay healthy, but there's no need to give such a long deal to a pitcher already under control for five more years.

Rays agreed to terms with first baseman Carlos Pena on a three-year, $24.125 million contract.
Pena will donate $225,000 to the Rays Baseball Foundation as part of the deal, which covers him through age 32. It's an acceptable risk for Tampa Bay. Pena is highly unlikely to ever match his 2007 numbers, but he was decent enough to start in the majors even when he was stuck in Triple-A with the Tigers and Yankees.

Rays acquired infielders Willy Aybar and Chase Fontaine from the Braves for LHP Jeff Ridgway.
He comes with question marks, but Aybar hit .292/.387/.416 in 329 major league at-bats during his age 22 and 23 seasons for the Dodgers and Braves. The Braves soured on him after last season's substance-abuse problems, but it's still surprising that this is the best they could do for him. Now the Rays have some actual competition for Evan Longoria at third base. Longoria still deserves a chance to win the job, but Aybar should be a nice fallback if he shows the proper level of commitment.

Rays signed outfielder John Rodriguez and infielder Andy Canniazaro to minor league contracts and invited them to spring training.
Rodriguez, who hit .298/.378/.434 in 332 at-bats for the Cards between 2005 and 2006, is an excellent pickup. He could be needed early on with the Rays set to rely on Rocco Baldelli and Cliff Floyd to fill spots. Cannizaro was up briefly with the Yankees in Sept. 2006. The 29-year-old hit .295/.378/.404 in 166 at-bats in Triple-A last season. He'll compete for a utility role.

Holy Shit!! All these moves make sense. They are trying to lock up Shields who was their #2 guy last year and should be until Garza takes over. Personally I would have waited to see what he does this year but nothing is done yet. Pena is signed for a short contract and for only $8 mil a year. Pena set franchise records for HRs and RBI last year and is only 29. He is coming into his prime years. More competition the better for Longoria who the Rays are hoping will be the stud to help people forget about Young. Getting John Rodriguez was a smart move too. He is perfect and is a much better option than Dukes. JRod has hit well at the big league level and can player all 3 OF positions. Good offseason for the Rays!!

[realmofotalk]

Willy Aybar loves nose candy.

[love_that_reefer]

Rays exercised outfielder Carl Crawford's $8.25 million option for 2009.
An easy call. The Rays also have a $10 million option on Crawford for 2010, so barring a major injury, he's not going to be a free agent for another three years. Had he not signed a long-term deal with the Rays four years ago, this would have been his walk year.

Rays declined outfielder Rocco Baldelli's $6 million option for 2009.
Baldelli gets a $4 million buyout. Another team might have decided it was worth risking $2 million Baldelli for 2009, but the Rays only have so much to play with, and it actually would have been a $4 million decision, as picking up the 2009 option would have later forced the team to decide between paying him $17 million in 2010-11 or giving him a $2 million buyout. Baldelli's status for the rest of this season is uncertain because of a mitochondrial disorder.

Rays agreed to terms with RHP Dan Wheeler on a three-year, $10.5 million contract with a club option for 2011.
Wheeler will make $2.8 million in 2008 (down from $2.875 million from his previously agreed to one-year deal), $3.2 million in 2009 and $3.5 million in 2010. The option is worth $4 million and includes a $1 million buyout.

More great business calls from the Rays front office. Crawford is a no brainer as was Baldelli. I was really high on Baldelli until he turned into the Mr. Glass. Crawford is the face of this franchise along with Kazmir. Wheeler was horrible last season but has proved he is quality reliever and isn't making a lot of money. Good calls all around.

[realmofotalk]

Let's not act as if those three transactions made by the Rays' front office reek of sheer brilliance when in fact they are no-brainers.

[love_that_reefer]

They could have traded Crawford. This shows they are in it to win it.