Comments on: Lunch Break – 1/18/08

By: Bob R.

Bob R. — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 15:04:16 +0000

I think he may be in the minors or gone. If he is traded, it would have to take another coup by Friedman to get anything of value for him.

Guzman has a few things going for him. He is still young, and he looks very athletic. He did have a few good seasons in the minors, showing some power. He seems to be a pretty good defensive player at different positions.

But he really has not had much success given his apparent talent. His overall minor league line is .267/.317/.448, and for a probable corner player, that is rather poor, even at his age. One of his decent years was in the PCL which enhances hitting stats. He rarely walks and strikes out a ton, generally between once every 3 to 4 at bats. And his OPS has declined each full season he has played since a high of .899 in 2004 in high A ball. Before his promotion in 2007 it was .689 at Durham.

I really see Guzman as a gamble the Rays took and lost. When they got him he was highly regarded but already was losing some of his status. There is always a chance he develops, but little sign that he has or will.

By: BillG

BillG — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 13:56:57 +0000

Picking up Aybar seems to point the Rays in the direction of trading Guzman. I do not think he is out of options, so the Rays could still park him at AAA, but what more can he accomplish there except put up some numbers to gloss him up for a trade. Anyone think he will remain with the Rays past opening day?

By: Bob R.

Bob R. — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 04:10:00 +0000

Sean, you are exactly right and I think Scott’s response is on target as well. It is heartening to see that some fans can look beneath the surface and recognize the planning for a consistent contender. We are seeing exactly what the new group has forecast from the beginning. Once they have arrived at the point where spending can make a difference, they will begin spending, and not before. One may argue that there are better ways to build a contender, but not that the current management team is either cheap or unwilling to take the necessary risks as they laid out their approach from the start and have stuck to it. And in my mind, they have implemented it exceptionally well.

Success is never guaranteed, but it seems to me the Rays have put themselves in a position where it is more likely than not.

By: John S.

John S. — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:01:43 +0000

Scott, there seems to be a LOT of casual fans out there that really have no clue. ;) Stu and the gang have done a FANTASTIC job with the economics they have to work with, and have been completely above-board the whole way. Fun time to be a Ray fan!

By: Hazleton Jason

Hazleton Jason — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 22:02:17 +0000

Scott-

Chase Fontaine still on 40-man, dunno if that’s right or not…

By: BillG

BillG — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:58:42 +0000

I am really impressed with this management team and what they have done in the last two years. Despite all of our frustration with the historic bullpen meltdowns of 2007, this team has a core of pitching, fielding and hitting that could bring a long overdue winning season to the Tampa Bay area. Madden will either be a hero or a goat at the end of 2008.

By: BillG

BillG — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:56:10 +0000

Looks like the deals are done for Pena (3 years) and Kaz (one year). Kaz is playing it smart. If, however, the Rays excel in 2008 and are positioned to compete for a ring in 2009, then I would expect Kaz to listen to a strong offer ($$$$) to return for 2009. If they lose in 2008 then Kaz will look for the door as soon as he can.

By: Jon Wolfson

Jon Wolfson — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:33:55 +0000

“They also have agreed in principle with left-hander Scott Kazmir on a one-year contract despite some pessimism that a deal would get done.”

By: CharlieRay

CharlieRay — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:23:18 +0000

Well OK it’s HIGH NOON at the OK coral. What about Kaz Did we lock him up or shoot him down.

By: CharlieRay

CharlieRay — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:09:45 +0000

I agree and I think they have had a plan that seems to be working. The big problem for the fans are we did not want to wait because we have been waiting to long. Now that everything seems to be coming along it will only take some wins to bring back the fans. Andrew has now shown his hand and this time it had the real money in it.