Rays trade

Rays fill their super-utility role with a Willy Aybar for Jeff Ridgeway trade. Not the best player to fill that role in my opinion. But hopefully it will work out somehow. They also get minor leaguer Chase Fontaine.

X-Rays 2nd Edition Update

For now I will call this type of posts just “X-Rays”. This is just an update to the previous X-Rays; former left-handed pitcher Mark Hendrickson has signed to the Marlins to a $1.5 million dollar deal plus incentives. The 33 year old former NBA player will probably take Dontrelle Willis spot in the rotation and be a veteran presence for a very young Florida Marlin club.
Link to previous X-Rays post X-Rays 2nd Edition.

Tampa Bay Rays Inc.

The new management of the Rays have been run and owned by businessmen. They know how the corporate world works and how to make money. Although few had actual baseball experience, they use their knowledge and love of the game to turn around this franchise and into future contenders. First they started with the Trop, moving spring training, added games to Orlando, expanded TV coverage throughout the state, and what intrigues me, no G.M. Their lastest projects, new logos and uniforms, and a new downtown, waterfront stadium which has become more of a campaign. To help them they hired a lobbyist for the Florida legislature, and a firm that does transportation and parking mangement. They seem to have plethor of connections and know how to run the business side of a Major League franchise.
It is the question of if they can handle the baseball aspect. They seem to use business approachs with the signing of a quality coach. Sounds like business lingo for on-field management.

X-Rays 2nd Edition

Another batch of former Rays have seem to be moving down south. This team is the seemingly good Florida Marlins who have traded their best and highest paid players to Detroit for some very good prospects. This young team looks to be very good a few years down the road until they trade their players again in a vicious cycle. Anyway the players are those at major league level, infielder Jorge Cantu and right-handers Tim Corcoran and Doug Waechter. These guys are basically wash ups and had promise in their respected positions. Other minor league palyers are on the team including right-handed pitchers Marcos Carvajal, Lee Gardner, Justin Miller, and Chris Seddon. This doesn’t include journeyman catcher Paul Hoover. The Marlins are competing with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the most ex-Rays(see previous former Rays report). It seems weird that Rays players go to other teams in bunches rather individually. Maybe they are scared of being the only ex-Ray on a team.

Rays Next Move?

The Rays need to upgrade at the utility position and add an actual left handed reliever to the bullpen. The internal options would be slim and mainly consist of young and low high-level experience. The two pitchers competing for a spot in the bullpen would be former Oriole Kurt Birkins, who has started in the minors, acquired in October and Jeff Ridgway who has been in the Rays organization for eight years mainly as a reliever.

After losing Brendan Harris, Josh Wilson, and Jorge Velandia this off-season, the Rays have gotten rid of their most experience utility infielders. The Rays only move they have made at that position would be ex-Yankee Andy Cannizaro who has played at short most of his career but can play at second and third. then th einternal options would be Joel Guzman who came a shortstop but has played at third, first, and the corner outfield. Not a defensive player but has a power bat which hasn’t show up yet but he is still only 23. Next would be Ben Zobrist like Guzman brought up as a shortstop but has rarely played another position. Joe Maddon is willing to try Zobrist at third and second. He is tall at 6′3 and might be moved to first eventually in his career as a backup most likely. Depending on if Evan Longoria starts on opening day, the Rays will have to decide on who plays third most likely Joel Guzman and keep Akinori Iwamura at second for most of the year.

The Rays have only a few utility players and left handed relievers available. They are listed here.

Utility Players

• Miguel Cairo-Plays all four infield positions; former Ray.
• Tony Graffanino-Plays all four infield positions; former Ray.
• Jeff Cirillo-Plays third and first base.
• Jerry Hariston Jr.-Can play all infield positions and all outfield positions. Mainly an outfielder.
• Ramon Martinez-Plays all four infield positions.
• Abraham Nunez-Plays all infield except first.
• Neifi Perez- Still has to serve 26 games of his 80-game suspension last year. Plays all infield position except first.
• Luis Rivas- Former Ray; plays both middle infield positions but mainly at second; minor league contract.

Left-handed Relievers

• Eddie Guardado- 37 years old; former closer.
• Ron Villone- 38 years old; named in Mitchell report.
• Jermey Affeldt- One of the best on the market.
• Trever Miller- Maybe the next best after Affeldt; former Ray.
• Mike Maroth- Ineffective last season with Cardinals; used sparingly as reliever.
• Mark Hendrickson- Used last season by Dodgers as long-reliever and spot-starter; former Ray.
• Mike Meyers- Submarine style, faced Rays several times with Red Sox and Yankees.
• Arthur Rhodes- Didn’t throw a pitch last season, may be signed only on a minor league contract.

X-Rays 1st Edition

Many ex-Rays have been moving leagues and to the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Infielder Josh Wilson was sent on waivers, pitcher Evan Meek was sent through the Rule 5 draft, former Ray Chris Gomez left Cleveland to become a super utility infielder. And yesterday two Rays signed minor league deals which include infielder Jorge Velandia and minor league catcher Michel Hernandez. The players from worst team in the AL move to the worst team in the NL. Swapping between last place teams must make them feel like they never moved to another team.
Last season the Pirates organization had several ex-Rays including first baseman Josh Phelps, infielders Luis Ordaz ,Russ Johnson, Nick Green, and Chris Truby, and pitchers Dewon Brazelton and Victor Zambrano.
More X-Rays will come out if I deem necessary.

Rays in 2008?

The Rays look to be contenders next year for third place in the AL East with the Jays and the Yanks. The Rays and Jays both have young and upcoming rotation as with the Yankees who have young arms trying to push the old geezers away. The Rays bullpen is alot older now with the addition of Percival and Wheeler in he past few months. We will see what happens as the offense looks to improve with Cliff Floyd and Evan Longoria.

• Also Ron Mahey is signing with the Royals and not with the Yanks or Rays.
• Fukudome signs with Cubs.