Joe Maddon loves wine. And the other day on Twitter, he wanted to tell the world about one particularly good wine…

most recently was re-introduced to Sea Smoke….a Pinot Noir from santa barbara…stupid good

It’s official. JoeMa just became the grandparent that tries to hard to stay “hip” in the eyes of the grandkids.

Next week he will tell us that he just rediscovered Eric B. & Rakim and that they are the shiznit.

As we discussed last week on Twitter, the Rays will be wearing green caps on St. Patrick’s Day. Here is an image of the cap as provided by the Rays (hat tip to Rays Renegade who first broke the news last week).

This is significant on a couple of levels…

First, this will be the first time since 2007 that the Rays will wear green. It is a tradition for teams to wear green caps (some teams add green jerseys) on St. Patrick’s Day. And this year marks the first spring training the Rays are scheduled to play on St. Patty’s Day since the team traded in their green uniforms for blue. Was it a coincidence that the Rays just happened to be idle on St. Patrick’s Day two years in a row? We think not.

Second, this is the first time since 2006 that the Rays will wear green caps on St. Patrick’s Day. The last time the Rays played on the greatest of all holidays (2007), the Rays became the first big league team to actually wear less green on St. Patrick’s Day as they swapped out their green caps for white as seen below.

That being said, we are glad to see the Rays once again participating in a spring training tradition. And the shamrock is a nice touch.

The GBT – The Good, The Bad and The Telling sandwich, where The Bad is nice and lean and the The Telling is ripe.

click above image for boxscore

click above image for boxscore

THE GOOD: The Duke. After a first start the was too reminiscent of 2009, Andy Sonnanstine was impressive yesterday with 4 shutout innings allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk, striking out 3…Reid Brignac. Brignac had 2 more hits and 3 more RBI and now leads the majors with 13 RBI and is 10-20 to start the spring…Pat Burrell. Must have been a nice day in Bradenton. Bikinis in the crowd is the only explanation for his sudden power surge (he hit a home run).

THE BAD: Wade Davis. Big Dub settled down in the second, but not after allowing 5 straight baserunners with 2 outs in the first inning. All 5 would score…Minor Bullpen. Against the Pirates, 4 relievers that won’t be on the opening day roster combined to allow 8 runs in 7 innings on 12 hits and 5 walks…Carlos Pena. Another 0-fer. This one was 0-3 and he is now 0-12 this spring.

THE TELLING: Sean Rodriguez started at SS against the Pirates, with Reid Brignac at 2B…The Rays improved to 9-1 with their split-squad wins yesterday. Only the Indians (5-0) have fewer losses.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

• Marc Topkin has a report that says Leslie Anderson’s contract is a major league deal, placing him on the 40-man roster. [The Heater]
• The Rays made their first roster moves of the spring sending Tim Beckham, Jake McGee and Nevin Ashley back to minor league camp.
• Matt Joyce was scratched from yesterday’s start because of an elbow strain. He is only expected to be out a couple of days. Same for Dioner Navarro who came out of yesterday’s game after being struck by a pickoff throw. [The Heater]
• Rafael Soriano threw batting practice for the first time. [Tampa Tribune]
• There has been a lot discussion recently about “Floating Realignment” which is surprising because: A) There is zero indication that MLB is seriously considering this plan and B) There are a dozen major problems that have already been brought up in a thousand different stories. In short, there is zero chance this will ever even see the light of day. But if you are interested in reading one take, here is Rob Neyer’s. [ESPN]
• Roger Mooney has 5 questions for JP Howell. [Tampa Tribune]
• Joe Maddon does not consider it hypocritical to call for a ban on maple bats while his own players are using them…To clarify, we just think JoeMa’s words would carry more weight if he publicly called on his own players to set an example. But Maddon has always been a player’s manager, so he won’t do that. [St. Pete Times]
• A math professor at NJIT predicts the Rays will win 93 games and finish second in the AL East and first in the Wild Card. [Fox Sports]
• Steve Slowinski presents a simple way to evaluate defensive value. If you are not interested in the details, just take a look at where both Dioner Navarro and Kelly Shoppach fall on the list. If you are short on time, you might want to start at the bottom of the list. [Drays Bay]
• Dennis Maffezzoli spoke with BJ Upton and Joe Maddon about Upton’s disappointing 2009 season (“last season humbled me”) and his ability moving forward. [Lakeland Ledger]
• Big League Stew discusses something we have been harping for a while. Is Evan Longoria the most valuable asset in baseball? [Big League Stew]

Jorge Ebro reports that the Rays have signed 1B/OF Leslie Anderson to a 4-year, $3.75 million deal. Anderson, 27, a Cuban defector, tried out for 9 teams in February. Two of the scouts left the tryout “unimpressed” which likely kept the Rays in the bidding.

From Cuban Ball Players:

Leslie Anderson has been the best hitter for Camagüey. The versatile Anderson was used as a center fielder and then was moved to first base once Loidel Chapellí retired. Anderson has played RF for the national team. Anderson has gap power. He is not your typical slugger like Ryan Howard or Albert Pujols. Anderson could hit between 15-20 home runs at the Major League level if given the chance. He is a gold glove type first baseman, but I believe his value is in CF a position that requires less power than first base and in his overall versatility.

And here is a first-hand account of his workout in February:

“Leslie showed a below average arm while throwing from centerfield and first base. He ran badly from home to first base. During batting practice he hit several line drives, but showed no power. Defensively, he’ll need to play either first base or left field and hit with a very high average and lots of home runs, and right now I don’t project that he could.”

Hmmm? So the Rays first sign Hank Blalock and then give a Cuban first baseman $4 million? Anybody still think the Rays will re-sign Carlos Pena?

And yes, our first reaction to news that the Rays had signed “Leslie Anderson” was: He’s from Cuba?

Yesterday, Joe Maddon indicated that Ben Zobrist will likely start the season platooning in both right field and at second base. Let’s take a look at what that means for the rest of the players competing for roster spots and playing time…

Notes on the 25-man roster projection…

If Gabe Kapler is on the opening day roster…

• RIGHT FIELD: Up until now, we have just assumed Gabe Kapler is on the opening day roster. If true, he will start versus lefties and Ben Zobrist starts versus righties.
• SECOND BASE: If Kapler is on the team Zobrist plays RF versus righties and 2B versus lefties. That leaves either Sean Rodriguez or Reid Brignac to play 2B versus righties. For their careers, Rodriguez is stronger versus lefties (.940 vs .881 OPS) and Brignac has been stronger facing righties (.778 vs .638). But Rodriguez’ mark versus RHP (.881) is still stronger than Brignac’s (.778). Brignac is considered the better defender. But Rodriguez has impressed with the glove so far this spring. Therefore, we give Rodriguez the edge.
• BENCH: If Sean Rodriguez is platooning at 2B and backing up the outfield, it would seem that Joe Maddon would want to also keep Reid Brignac as the back-up middle infielder. Also, if Ben Zobrist and Gabe Kapler are playing right field, there is no need for Matt Joyce.
• SUMMARY: If Gabe Kapler’s job is a lock and Ben Zobrist is platooning in RF and at 2B, that means Sean Rodriguez and Reid Brignac make the team and Matt Joyce is back in Durham. And spring training is a competition between Rodriguez and Brignac for a portion of the 2B job.

If Matt Joyce is on the opening day roster…

• RIGHT FIELD: If the Rays decide to keep Matt Joyce on the roster, there is likely no room for Gabe Kapler as the Rays would already have 2 guys playing right field and Sean Rodriguez who can back-up in the outfield. And if Joyce is on the roster, he starts in RF versus righties and Ben Zobrist is in RF versus lefties.
• SECOND BASE: If Ben Zobrist is in RF versus lefties, he will start at 2B versus righties. That leaves Sean Rodriguez or Reid Brignac to start at 2B versus lefties. And that is a no-brainer. Rodriguez’ career OPS versus LHP (.940) dwarfs Brignac’s (.638).
• BENCH: Again, with Ben Zobrist in RF part-time, there doesn’t seem to be a good reason to keep both Matt Joyce and Gabe Kapler, so if Joyce is in, Kapler is out and the Rays will have to either eat his $1 million salary, or find a trade partner. That opens the final spot for Reid Brignac as the backup middle infielder.
• SUMMARY: If Matt Joyce is on the team, he platoons in RF with Ben Zobrist, and Sean Rodriguez platoons with Zobrist at 2B. Reid Brignac would get the final bench spot and Gabe Kapler is filing his unemployment papers.

Ultimately it looks like both Rodriguez and Brignac will make the team and the final spot will be between Kapler ad Joyce. Obviously Kapler has a huge edge as his contract is guaranteed, but it’s not like he is making Pat Burrell-money.

The GBT – The Good, The Bad and The Telling sandwich, where The Bad is nice and lean and the The Telling is ripe.

click above image for boxscore

THE GOOD: Offense. 5 different players had 2 hits yesterday including Jason Bartlett, BJ Upton and Kelly Shoppach…David Price. Price was solid prior to being removed even though he ended up being charged with 2 runs (both scored after he left). He retired the side in the first. And Adrian Beltre’s single was just bad luck as the pitch shattered his bat.

THE BAD: Maple Bats. Adrian Beltre’s bat broke at the handle sending the barrel flying through the air where it hit David Price in the chin and the right hand. Price was cut on his hand, but was otherwise OK…Joaquin Benoit. Benoit gave up another home run. Not a good start in battle for final bullpen spot.

THE TELLING: Ben Zobrist started in RF for the first time this spring and Reid Brignac made his first start at 3B as a pro with Sean Rodriguez at 2B…Willy Aybar will DH today…The Rays have now won 7 straight since losing the opener.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

• Joe Maddon says the maple bat is “turning into the Claymore mine of baseball”…That is fine, but does anybody know how many, if any, Rays use maple bats? Because if any Rays are using the bat, his statements are a bit hypocritical. [Tampa Tribune]
• Another injury for Desmond Jennings, his second this spring and 432nd of his career. This time it is a sprained wrist he suffered sliding earlier this week. He will have to wear a splint for 5-7 days. His spring training is probably over but he should be back in time for the start of Durham’s season. [Rays Report]
• Even though Hank Blalock is on a minor league deal, Elliot Johnson was forced to give up his number and Blalock didn’t even pay for it…The Rays don’t even know if Blalock will ever play for the team. Meanwhile, Johnson has put 8 years into this organization. Way to take care of your own Rays. [Tampa Tribune]
• Joe Maddon says Ben Zobrist will likely open the season playing both RF and 2B…Not at the same time. Because that would be weird, even for Joe Maddon. [St. Pete Times]
• A video report by Jill Arrington and Dave Wills (lucky bastard) on BJ Upton. [FSFlorida]
• Baseball Musings projects the Rays offense using the Lineup Analysis Tool and notes that BJ Upton should probably be leading off and Carl Crawford should not be batting second. [Baseball Musings]
• Rise of the Rays wonders if the Rays will look to trade Willy Aybar now that Hank Blalock is on board. [Rise of the Rays]
• Tampa Bay Rays Fan looks at all the injuries the Rays have suffered this spring. [Tampa Bay Rays Fan]
• Dock of the Rays says it is time for Pat Burrell and Hank Blalock to stop whining and start playing. [Dock of the Rays]
• Another day, another Milton Bradley story. In this interview, he blames the Chicago Cubs for the racist mail he received and doesn’t dismiss the idea that some of the mail came from people inside the organization. [ESPN]

The GBT – The Good, The Bad and The Telling sandwich, where The Bad is nice and lean and the The Telling is ripe.

click above image for boxscore

THE GOOD: Creating Runs. JoeMa had to like what he saw from Sean Rodriguez in the first inning when he singled, stole second to get into scoring position, then score on Evan Longoria’s double. And what Carl Crawford did in the third inning when he reached on catcher’s interference, stole second and went to third on the catcher’s throwing error. He then scored on Longo’s sac fly…Rodriguez Vs Brignac. The battle for the backup middle infielder is closer than you might think early on. Sean Rodriguez has been the headline maker with a very impressive 7-14 and 5 extra-base hits. But Reid Brignac is holding his own, as he is also 7-14 and leads the Rays with 8 RBI…The New Giraffe. Jeff Niemann is pitching with confidence early on. Yesterday he retired 10 of the first 11 he faced and allowed only 2 baserunners in 4 innings of work with 2 strikeouts and no walks…Hellboy Cometh. Jeremy Hellickson struck out all 4 batters he faced yesterday and has now struck out 5 of the last 7 batters he faced. Of course, 3 of the 4 batters yesterday have never been above double-A, so our excitement is tempered…Navi. Dioner Navarro had 2 more hits and now has 6 in his first 9 at bats. He also has 2 walks and no strikeouts, while Kelly Shoppach has struck out 5 times without a walk.

THE BAD: El Gato. Carlos Pena is struggling out of the gate, going 0-2 yesterday and he is now 0-9 to start the spring…‘Nando Calrissien. Fernando Perez got a game-winning hit but he is only 3-14 in the spring after another 0-2 yesterday. More importantly he has 6 strikeouts and no walks. Nando needs to show that he has the ability to get on base.

THE TELLING: In both of his spring appearances, Jeremy Hellickson has been called upon in the middle of an inning with runners on base. In both cases, the previous pitcher (David Price, Carlos Hernandez) reached his pitch-limit mid-inning. So why not go to a reliever to finish the inning and have Hellickson start fresh the next inning?  The Rays might be getting a look at how Hellickson handles those types of situations should they need an extra reliever in September…The Rays gave Carlos Hernandez a long look yesterday letting him work into a third inning. If a spot-start is needed at some point early in the season, the Rays may be looking to see if Hernandez can do the job.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

• The opt-out clause in Hank Blalock’s contract is “convoluted” according to Andrew Friedman, but Friedman said, “if there’s not a 25-man spot for him and there is somewhere else we’re not going to stand in his way.” Based on Friedman’s words, we wonder if Blalock would have to prove that another team will offer him a job in order to become a free agent. If that is the case, maybe the Rays can send him to the minors if no spot is available. [The Heater]
• The Yankees traded Edwar Ramirez to the Rangers for cash. Some thought the Rays would be interested if Ramirez had cleared waivers (Ramirez was designated for assignment last week). [MLB Trade Rumors]
• Sun Sports will broadcast 145 regular season games while Fox Sports Florida will broadcast another 5 (all 5 during the first week). Of those games, Kevin Kennedy is slated to be the color analyst for 100 games and Brian Anderson will work 50. You can see the entire schedule HERE.
• From John Romano: I asked an assortment of scouts, executives and former players if they could trade Longoria straight up for any player in the big leagues would they make the deal. Some of them pondered. Some of them equivocated. But, in the end, all of them said essentially the same thing: No. No freakin’ way. [St. Pete Times]
• Local business leaders have started a campaign to help bring more corporate support to the Rays. [St. Pete Times]
• The Godfather previews the Tampa Bay Rays at the website formerly known as Deadspin. [Deadspin]
• Doug Fernandes writes that the Orioles look a lot like the Rays did a few years ago. [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Two years ago on Rays Index we wrote about David Price’s impressive debut with the Rays.

David Price: And So It Begins [Rays Index]

Last night it was announced that Hank Blalock agreed to a one-year deal with the Rays for $925K with up to $350K in bonuses based on plate appearances. There is an opt-out clause in the contract that would allow Blalock to become a free agent if he is not on the 25-man roster on April 1.

Earlier today, when asked why he signed with the Rays, Blalock had a not-too-endearing response…

“Well, I didn’t have any other choice. So that’s why I’m here.”

Marc Topkin clarifies that Blalock is “excited for the opportunity.” Still it sounds like he and Pat Burrell will get along splendidly.

So does Blalock have a shot at making the roster? The bench would seem set with Dioner Navarro, Gabe Kapler, Willy Aybar and either Sean Rodriguez or Reid Brignac.

But something strange happened today.

Topkin reportsthat the Rays gave Blalock his customary #9, which was being worn by Elliot Johnson this spring (Johnson will switch to #37). This may mean nothing, or it may mean everything.

It is unusual for a non-roster invitee to be given their usual number if it is already being worn by another player. Typically a switch is only made if the player makes the opening day roster. This move might suggest that the Rays believe Blalock has a good shot at making the team.

If Blalock does make the team, who is out of a job (assuming no injuries)? The obvious answer is Aybar, who has yet to play this spring with a nagging wrist injury.

When spring training began, Aybar’s job seemed as safe as anybody’s. But with Blalock on board, the next three weeks may be a battle between Aybar and Blalock for a spot on the Rays bench. And Blalock may already have a slight edge.

Then again, Blalock smells more like Morgan Ensberg than Carlos Pena.

The Rays have a nice problem in Jeremy Hellickson. His is one of the top prospects in baseball and already has dominated triple-A batters striking out 70 and walking just 15 in 57.1 innings last year. But with all five of the starting pitchers returning from last year, there is no immediate need for Hellboy on the big league roster.

Still, most think Hellickson will make his big league debut at some point in 2010. But the Rays have always been adamant that the needs of the prospect outweigh the needs of the team. In other words, Hellickson will not be promoted until the team feels he is ready.

And when might that be?

First there is the innings limit the Rays will impose on Hellickson this season. The Rays prefer to limit their pitchers to a 20% increase over the previous season and Hellickson only threw 114 innings in 2009. That would mean a limit of approximately 140 innings this year. A full season in the minors would be closer to 160 innings. So even if the Rays waited until September and used Hellickson out of the bullpen, there is a very good chance he will have already exceeded his innings limit for 2010.

Next, let’s look at Hellickson’s experience and compare that to the Rays last two top pitching prospects, David Price and Wade Davis. Specifically let’s look at how many seasons and innings pitched each had since high school before they entered the Rays rotation…

Price shot through the minors and the lack of experience may have hindered him in 2009. He struggled at times and had a difficult time working deep into games averaging less than 6 innings per start. Meanwhile, Davis looked much more polished and composed as a starting pitcher, albeit in a small sampled size (6 starts).

The Rays have always said that when a prospect is ready is more than just numbers. They believe that it is also important that the prospect spend enough time in the minors that they learn to handle many different obstacles.

Everybody is excited to see what the Rays next great pitching prospect can do at the big league lever, but we may just have to wait until until 2011.