Monday, February 2nd, 2009
Here’s what you might have missed over the weekend while you were busy watching Puppy Bowl V on Animal Planet…
The Rays agreed to a deal with left-handed specialist – known around the blogosphere as a LOOGY – Brian Shouse. (ESPN)
Brian Shouse, a veteran left-handed reliever, has agreed to a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to baseball sources. The deal is pending a physical exam, which he will take on Thursday.
Shouse, 40, pitched in 69 games for the Brewers last season, mostly as a specialist against left-handed hitters. Lefties hit just .180 against him with a .192 on-base percentage and a .482 OPS. Shouse has pitched in more than 422 games in the big leagues over nine seasons with 216 strikeouts and 111 walks in 322.2 innings.
Conflicting reports on whether its a one- or a two-year deal, so let’s split the difference and say that the Rays have signed Shouse to a 243-game contract. For those keeping track, the Rays now have more relievers in the their bullpen than Todd Kalas has product in his haircare cabinet.
There also needs to be a corresponding 40-man roster move at some point to make room for Shouse. Derek Rodriguez, Elliot Johnson, and Juan Salas seem to be the most likely suspects, unless there’s some kind of trade coming down the pike.
The Professor over at Rays Index made a very astute observation. (Rays Index)
And with Gabe Kapler, Gabe Gross and Grant Balfour already in place, The Trop is becoming the place where Brewers go to win.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee remains the place where… well… no one goes willingly.
Marc Topkin is reporting that the Rays are in negotiations with both Dioner Navarro and Willy Aybar on multi-year contracts (St. Pete Times)
The Rays are exploring multiyear deals with C Dioner Navarro and INF Willy Aybar, which would allow them to avoid arbitration hearings.
If John Jaso is the first baseman of the future and not the catcher, this makes plenty of sense. Tons ‘o’ Fun is an above-average backstop in a league full of junk at the position. Aybar, on the other hand, is perhaps the best utility player in the game. He’d be starting on a lot of other teams. He will retain his spot as the Evan Longoria Insurance Policy™. People keep suggesting that he should learn to play right field a little bit on this team, but I think he’ll be just fine staying in the infield.
Big League Stew ran into Evan Longoria at some football game in Tampa over the weekend. I had no idea that was going on. (Yahoo!)
BLS: Why don’t you think more players are interested in the WBC?
EL: I think because the game of baseball on the worldwide scale isn’t as big a game as say soccer or rugby even for the European countries. I just think baseball is not as widely publicized worldwide, and [the WBC] just doesn’t get as pumped up, as say, the Super Bowl or whatever.
As long as the WBC is seen as nothing more as a way for players to refine their excuses as to why they can’t/shouldn’t play, it will never be taken seriously. Simple as that.
Bleacher Report calls David Price (and Matt Wieters) the future face of the American League. In other news, the sky is blue. (Bleacher Report)
Price is the future of the Rays pitching-wise. Tampa Bay has plenty of talented young pitchers on the team, but Price is beneficial to the Rays success. The Vanderbilt alum is the most talented fifth starter in the league, hands down. Price’s mid 90’s fastball is intimidating and his work ethic and poise is undeniable. He has expectations for himself that are unmatched by any other. “Every time I step on the mound, I expect to throw a perfect game.” Price has the speed (95-97 MPH fastball), a great mix of breaking pitches and a very deceptive delivery. Rays scouting director Brad Matthews calls him the “best amateur pitcher I’ve ever seen.”
Eric Hinske who, despite all of the great things he did last season I will always remember flailing miserably at the final pitch of the ‘08 World Series, inked a deal with the Pirates on Friday. Weren’t they talking about him playing in Japan or something? Well, if he plays well, he should find himself a new home around the trade deadline. (MLB.com)
And on that note, I’m going to go try to figure out how I’m going to squeeze 24, Heroes, and House in tonight while still taking care of the baby and getting chores done around the house. You stay classy, Tampa Bay.
Tags: Brian Shouse, David Price, Derek Rodriguez, Dioner Navarro, Elliot Johnson, Eric Hinske, Evan Longoria, John Jaso, Juan Salas, Milwaukee Brewers, Weekend Roundup, Willy Aybar
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