Can you believe that Spring Training is knocking on our door? It seems like only yesterday that we were lamenting the end of the season and how poorly the 2007 campaign went. This could be the most exciting season in Rays history, and I suspect there will be a lot more people on this bandwagon once all is said and done.
Are you the kind of person that gets excited for Spring Training and counts down the days, or do you wait until the end of March before you get excited for the baseball season? I know there’s lots of people that find it hard to really care too much during Spring Training, unless - of course - the news is that Rocco Baldelli broke his wrist while signing autographs. I’m not saying that I care if the team wins or loses its games, but I sure do love just knowing that there’s baseball being played.
February 7th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I thoroughly enjoy baseball at all times of the year. It could be because I coach, but I have always been that way. I am ready for the season to start tomorrow. I would say today, but I am hoping Bedard is traded tonight so we really can start the season tomorrow without having to face him. I think this offseason everything has gone right for the Rays, except for Aybar’s little blurb in the D.R. Not only did we make a lot of key acquisitions, but the Yankees and Red Sox didn’t get Johan, and it’s pretty much 95% done for Bedard in Baltimore. Our team is better right away because of that.
February 7th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
If you love the game, winning is the answer. I have lived to long as a Ray fan and adopted the attitude that ” we came close”, “we gave them a run for their money” or “we will get them next time”. Now I only want to WIN Spring training or not. It all counts in my head. I know all about how we are just trying things out and seeing other players but so are they. Win + Win = Wins and a better feeling for both the fans and the players. Ask them if they want to loose even in spring training before they play the game. After a game that doses not count, and you loose, you always say “so what! It did not count’ Deep down they care.
February 7th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
You are likely the Son of Satan if you do not get excited over spring training.
February 7th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
On MLBTR it has the Rays as possible suiters for Joe Blanton-
I am lukewarm on the idea- Its hard to say no to a “B” pitcher with good career numbers who would come cheap with high controllability-with that said I love our monor league pitchers, but for now thats all they are… I would say no at this point, but would not be heart-broken if it happened
February 7th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
This just in from MLB Trade Rumors…The Rays might be interested in acquiring Joe Blanton from the A’s. I, for one, am all for this. Anybody know what it would take for us to make this happen? I am thinking Hammel, Glover and 1B Rhyne Hughes might be able to get it done. That would give us a rotation and bullpen of:
1. Kazmir
2. Shields
3. Garza
4. Blanton
5. Jackson
LR/SS/MR-Sonnanstine
MR-Salas, Balfour
LOOGY-Miller
SU-Wheeler, Reyes
CL-Percival
Would you guys be upset if that was the way things shook out? I didn’t think so. Keep in mind that you could always plug Blanton into the 3-hole as well.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Blanton would be very welcome.
February 7th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
A.J., if that could get it done, I would be thrilled. I would also be shocked, no more than shocked. Why would Beane deal a solid major league pitcher who is very cheap and tied up for at least 2 more years I think for a marginal major league talent in Hammel (at least so far), a journeyman reliever who may not even be that, and a marginal 1B prospect not even in the top 15 in the system?
My guess is that if Blanton is dealt, the A’s receive at least 1 top prospect in the McGee/Davis class plus 2 or 3 other promising young players of the order of Mason/Perez/Hellickson, maybe even Jennings. I doubt the deal you suggest would get done even if Niemann were added.
Think of it this way. Would you trade Shields (who is less proven than Blanton) to the A’s for Lenny DiNardo, Justin Duchscherer and Wes Bankston? DiNardo and Duchscherer have performed better than Glover and Hammel in the majors, and Bankston has played at a higher level than Hughes and was recently a serious prospect-more so than Hughes is right now.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:43 am
I don’t know what it will take but AJ’s Line-Up looks very good. If we can get him without compromising our future I believe Andrew will make it happen but not at the cost of the future.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:45 am
After thinking about it more, I agree that my proposal was rather weak for Blanton. My new proposal would be the following: Chris Mason, Mitch Talbot, Rhyne Hughes, and Jeremy Hellickson. That gives them what I would consider in most organizations 2-top 5 prospects. With the year Mason had, and the unquestioned potential of Hellickson, in most organizations, they are definitely top 5 material. Talbot would give them someone who could challange for either a #5 rotation spot or middle reliever, not to mention the fact that he’s probably #11 or 12 in our organization among prospects. And Rhyne Hughes had a great year last year, and could continue to develop for another couple years before getting his chance. With the fact that the A’s have a couple of 1st basemen ready for major league time, they have time for Hughes to develop. Bankston was our guy and did horrible for the last 2 years, so I don’t think he is in their plans. They have Dan Johnson and Daric Barton competing right now, and the other will DH. So as I said, this would give them time to develop Hughes in their organization. Is this a better offer?
February 8th, 2008 at 8:51 am
That’s way too much to give up for Blanton. No way I’d do it.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I do think that offer would have a chance, and I might even consider it. But while I think Blanton is a pretty solid pitcher, and that he has value as someone who can give you 30+ starts and 200+ innings of good pitching, I do not see him as vital to the Rays or the pitcher who will put them over the top in the next year or two.
Someone pointed out that he is not particularly good away from Oakland. As a matter of fact, in 2007, the ERA split was 2.69 at home and 5.11 on the road. The year before it was 4.52 & 5.12 and in his career, 3.55 & 4.66.
As a matter of fact, while he was very good in 2005 with an ERA+ of 123, he hasn’t come close to that since. Despite his 16-12 record in 2006, his 4.82 ERA was only an ERA+ of 92, below league average. And in 2007, he was just above league average at 106. He is very hittable & does not strike out many people. But because he has some experience, is young and cheap and has proven himself in the majors, he will command some talent to get him. I am not sure that Sonnanstine cannot do just as well or better, and if so, then Blanton is essentially a one year rental unless he blocks the talent coming through the system. Or unless he provides some insurance if the Rays can trade one of their more accomplished pitchers for help elsewhere.
I am not as enthusiastic about Hughes as you are A.J. I certainly think his 2007 season was promising, but I don’t see it as great, especially for a first baseman. His power is moderate at best and his walk rate is also about adequate. He finally got to AA for a short time at the end of the season as a 23 year old. Essentially, he hit for a high average as a 23 year old in high A ball. I certainly do not see him supplanting either Johnson or Barton in Oakland in the next few years either as a DH or first baseman. Both will still be in their prime; in fact, Hughes is older than Barton.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Hey, I’m not saying the guy would be the centerpiece of the deal. He would be the least wanted guy of the deal. But I would consider his power numbers about average for most minor league 1st baseman these days. He has solid doubles power though as well. And in his short time in Montgomery last year, he did rather well-21 G, .295 AVG., 2 HR, 4 2B, 15 RBI, and a very solid .826 OPS. I know he’s older than some guys, but he did a nice job for the Biscuits in his brief stint. But if you read my post today in the REBUTTAL topic, I think this deal would be a waste. Blanton wouldn’t give us anything we already might have.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Yes, I did read your post, after posting above. I agree with you. As for Hughes, I wasn’t really responding to the notion of him being in the deal. I do think as the last piece, he might serve. I was simply reacting to your view that he had a great year. I do not mean to downgrade Hughes; he does have some promise. I just do not see him as much more than a major league journeyman based on what he has done so far. Of course, I haven’t seen him much nor do I know his makeup or anything else, so I may indeed be underestimating. I think I saw him in one game and was not impressed one way or the other, but that is meaningless. In any case, if he can build on his 2007, Hughes could move up the prospect list.