Archive for May 15th, 2008

May 15

[SCOTT KAZMIR] Scott Kazmir Back To The Mets Has Now Been Postponed

Scott Kazmir Cork Gaines 28 Comments »


We know for a fact that many Mets fans have been dreaming of the 2011 season which would have been Scott Kazmir’s first year of free agency. Many Mets fans had been counting the seasons until their favored son could return to the organization and lead them to the promised land*.

After the Rays were able to secure Kid K to a 4-year extension yesterday, that time has been pushed back to at least 2013.

As a consolation prize, we hope you will be willing to accept the above gift as a token of our appreciation.

Sorry Mets fans. Hope you are enjoying Victor Zambrano.

* finishing ahead of the Phillies and the Braves in the same season

May 15

[SCOTT KAZMIR] Kazmir Extension Adds Stability To Rays Foundation

Andrew Friedman, Payroll, Scott Kazmir Cork Gaines No Comments »

At the quarter-mark of the season, the Rays sit in a position, never experienced by the Tampa Bay Rays franchise, with or without the Devil. At 23-17, the Rays are in first place in the AL East for the first time ever this late in the season. Not bad for a team that has never won more than 70 games in a season.

But make no mistake. Despite the opportunity to enjoy a playoff-chase for the first time, the focus of the front office is still on the future. The goal of the franchise remains the same: Build a solid foundation that will allow sustained success over the long-haul.

Yesterday, Andrew Friedman and Co. took another giant step towards achieving that goal, by signing Scott Kazmir to a 3-year extension through 2011 with a team option for 2012. If the option is picked up, the deal will be worth $39.5 million.

Kazmir’s 2009 salary of $6 million pushes the Rays’ estimated 2009 opening day payroll north of $55 million and that is before any further contract extensions or free agency signings (right field, replacement for Al Reyes)

The biggest effect of the Kazmir signing is looking at the Rays projected roster for 2009 and beyond…


As we can see, 18 of the 25 projected members of the 2009 roster are now under the Rays’ control through at least 2011. That number includes all 5 members of the starting rotation. And with the next wave of prospects expected by the end of 2009 or the beginning of 2010, there is room to trade players. But more importantly, there is depth of pitching in the organization to protect against injuries.

The Rays are winning in 2008. But winning now is not the goal. Winning in 2009 and 2010 and 2011 and 2012. That is the goal. And with the talent in the organization and the ability of Friedman to secure that talent with long-term deals, that goal is well within reach.

Kazmir Agrees To Extension [Rays Report]

May 15

[THE HANGOVER] Rays Maintain Spot At Top Of Standings Despite Loss

Al Reyes, Edwin Jackson, Evan Meek, Grant Balfour, Scott Dohmann, Scott Kazmir, Troy Percival Cork Gaines No Comments »



Sorry guys…just the links today…Pulling double-duty over at MLB Trade Rumors.

DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA…

  • Don’t forget to VOTE for Carl Crawford to start the all-star game. If you haven’t voted yet today, go NOW! [MLB All-Star Voting]
  • In case you missed it, the Rays have signed Scott Kazmir 3-year contract with $28.5 million, with a 4th year team option for $11 million. This deal buys out the remaining two arbitration seasons and the first two free agency years. [St. Pete Times]
  • Al Reyes was activated from the DL and appeared in last night’s game. To make room on the roster, Scott Dohmann was DFA’d. We assume that Dohamnn will clear waivers, but with Grant Balfour pitching well in Durham, he may decline the assignment to Durham and choose to become a free agent. [Rays Report]
  • Marc Lancaster is reporting that the Rays and Pirates reached an agreement on a deal so that the Pirates can keep Evan Meek in their system. Meek was a Rule 5 selection by the Pirates, but was recently dropped from their 25-man roster. Without the deal, the Pirates would have had to return Meek to the Rays. No word yet on the particulars of the deal. [Rays Report]
  • Big League Stew takes a look at the early season success of the Marlins and Rays and puts together a fairly solid all-star team from just those two rosters. [Big League Stew]
  • Edwin Jackson is not worried about losing 2 W’s to Troy Percival blown saves…We always think people make too big a deal about this paticular scenario. For every 8 shutout innings that are not a Win, there are 2 or 3 starts in which the team rallies and saves the pitcher a loss or gives the pitcher a Win with tons of run support despite a poor outing. [Bradenton Herald]
  • Jordi from The Serious Tip made a guest appearance at Bus Leagues Baseball and wrote about his recent experiences at a Rays game and a subsequent trip to Brevard Co. Manatees game. [Bus Leagues Baseball]
  • A Mets blog laments the fact that the Mets won’t be able to play the Rays this year. Not because they are easy wins, but because they are fun to watch. [Mets Walkoffs]
  • A Cubs fan jumps on the Rays bandwagon and we welcome them with open arms and a beer. [Cobra Brigade]
May 15

[DOWN ON THE FARM] Fronk And Bannon Hit 2 Home Runs Apiece

Uncategorized Cork Gaines No Comments »

Durham 14, Toledo 4. Jeff Niemann made his second start since missing time with his latest arm/back ailment. He was pulled after 49 pitches, with 1 out in the 4th after allowing 1 run on 1 hit and 2 walks. He struck out 3…Reid Brignac was 1-4 with 3 RBI while Jeff Bannon was 3-5 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI. He now has 4 on the season…Chris Richard was 4-5 with 2 RBI.

Montgomery 11, Mississippi 10 (10inn). Wade Townsend got the start, but was bounced after allowing 7 runs in 3.1 innings. He struck out 3 and walked 4…Rhyne Hughes was 2-5 with his 5th home run, the game-winner in the 10th…Gabby Martinez was 2-5 and drove in 3.

Vero Beach 3, St. Lucie 2. Jeremy Hellickson did allow 2 runs in 6 innings, but continued his dominance with 9 strike outs and no walks. He was touched for 2 home runs…Ryan Reid picked up his 6th save. He now has 35 Ks in 21.2 innings with only 7 hits and 2 walks…JT Hall was 2-4 with an RBI.

Hickory 7, Columbus 6. Josh Johnson dropped to 1-4 after allowing 7 runs in 3 innings…Austin Hinkle struck out 5 in 3 innings of scoreless relief…Greg Sexton was 3-4 with a double while Reid Fronk was 2-4 with 2 home runs and 3 RBI. He has 3 home runs on the year…Emeel Salem was removed after singling in 1 at bat. No word yet on any potential injury.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • No links today.