Dec 08
Bill Chastain is reporting that the Rays have outrighted Chad Orvella to Durham, removing him from the 40-man roster.
To remove Orvella from the roster is not a surprise as he was the lowest ranked member of the 40-man roster in the most recent “Trade Value Index“. However, the timing of the move is curious as there was already an open slot on the 40-man roster. To make the move now, could be an indication that the Rays are preparing to make additions to the roster in the next few days through free agency or a trade.
This move leaves the Rays with 38 players on the roster.
Orvella did not play in 2008 after suffering a shoulder injury in the spring. He made 69 appearances for the Rays in three seasons from 2005-2007.
Rays outright Orvella to Durham [MLB]
Dec 08
According to Ken Rosenthal (via MLB Trade Rumors), Jason Giambi is telling friends that he expects to sign with the A’s, per his desire to return to the west coast.
Free-agent first baseman Jason Giambi has told friends that he expects to sign with the A’s, but his former team has him “way down on its list of priorities,” according to a major-league source.
Giambi wants to return to the west coast, but his options appear limited. The Padres and Dodgers are set at first base. The Angels could sign free agent Mark Teixeira and the Giants and Mariners seem inclined to go with younger players.
It now looks like a long-shot for the Rays signing the Giambino to DH in ’09. However, if the deal with the A’s falls through, Giambi may be open to a one-year deal with the Rays, with hopes of a west coast team needing his services in 2010.
8:48 p.m. — Giambi could be with A’s again [Fox Sports]
Giambi Expects To Sign With A’s [MLB Trade Rumors]
Dec 08
Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Milton Bradley got off a plane in Las Vegas at the Winter Meetings and went straight to lunch with Rays officials.
Jon Heyman adds that the Rays may be considering several of the top right field/DH free agents including Milton Bradley, Pat Burrell, Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi, and Raul Ibanez. Ibanez is the only member of that group that would cost the Rays a first round draft pick as a Type A free agent.
Heyman also mentions that Ken Griffey Jr would “love to play near his Orlando hometown.”
We have said previously that with the Rays already pushing $60 million in payroll for 2009, Griffey at $3-4 million might be more realistic than the other names, even if the market pushes their salaries down. Then again, if the Rays can move salary in other areas (Edwin Jackson), that might be enough to justify adding one of the players listed above at $8-10 million for one season.
Rays Take Milton Bradley To Lunch [MLB Trade Rumors]
Griffey could be good fit for Rays [SI.com]
Griffey Could Be Good Fit For Rays [Rays Index]
Dec 08
According to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com the Rays would only move Jayson Bartlett in a ‘major deal’.
The Rays are telling clubs that ask about their shortstop, Jason Bartlett, that they’re only willing to trade him in a “major deal.” Would Jeremy Hermida be “major” enough? Stay tuned.
Our guess is that Jeremy Hermida would not be major enough.
Stark also touches on the recent rumblings that the Rays talked to the Twins about the possibility of bringing Delmon Young back.
Yes, they kicked Delmon Young’s name around when the Twins approached them to express interest. But according to one source who talked to the Rays’ brass, they would “never” take Young back.
We were surprised when Young’s name was first mentioned, but it also does not surprise us that Andrew Friedman is exhausting all possibilities. The Rays need a right fielder and Young is still a potential 7-tool player. Unfortunately, the 6th and 7th tools are “Bat Tossing” and “Bitching”.
Phillies, Moyer haggling over money [ESPN]
Rays Talked To Twins About Bringing Back Delmon Young [Rays Index]
Dec 08
Andy Sonnanstine, Bobby Abreu, Brian Giles, David Price, Edwin Jackson, Jason Bartlett, Jeremy Hellickson, Jeremy Hermida, Nick Barnese, Rocco Baldelli, Tim Beckham, Wade Davis Cork Gaines
[Update: 3:40pm] Now it looks like the Cubs and Padres have figured out how to move Peavy without a third team. Of course, the Rays could still try to work with the Padres on a deal for Giles, but this seems less likely now.
[9:56am]In case you missed it late last night, there is a rumor going around the winter meetings that the Rays may be getting involved in the Jake Peavy talks as a third team, with their eyes set on Brian Giles. There was talk last August that the Rays tried to land Giles but were blocked when the Red Sox put in a claim on the outfielder.
There is no mention of what the Padres would want from the Rays, but the holdup in a potential Cubs deal (for Peavy) is the lack of Cubs prospects that are close to the majors. The Padres were also looking for a major league shortstop from the Braves.
So we have to believe the Padres will be asking for something like Andy Sonnanstine. The Rays would probably rather a package include Jeff Niemann and Reid Brignac. Would Edwin Jackson get the deal done?
It seems unlikely that the Rays would be willing to part with a top pitcher for Giles (136 OPS+ in ’08) if the Rays could potentially land a free agent like Bobby Abreu (120 OPS+, 3 years younger) for the same price and without having to give up any prospects. The Padres could make it more enticing by eating some of the $9 million salary [Ed. note: As per the comments, Giles' salary goes to $11 million in '09 if he is traded]. Giles is in the last year of his deal.
Of course, all this means nothing if Giles is unwilling to be traded. Giles has full veto power as a 10-and-5 player (10 year veteran, 5 years with current team) and vetoed two deals (Red Sox and A’s) late last season.
Rays Rumored Third Team In Peavy Deal; Possibly Targeting Giles Again [Rays Index]
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- Jayson Stark says the Jeremy Hermida is exactly the type of player the Rays are looking for and wonders if a deal can be had for Jason Bartlett and either Andy Sonnanstine or Edwin Jackson…Considering what else is out there, this seems like too steep a price. [ESPN]
- Ryan Fagan of The Sporting News says Rocco Baldelli’s best option is to stick with the Rays…This is something we have long said. With the Rays, Rocco has a team that has been loyal when most would not and with the Rays, Rocco has a team that is very familiar with his condition and how best to utilize his talents at this point of his career. This is why the Rays will slow-play this hand, waiting out the market and Rocco. [The Sporting News]
- Dayn Perry says the Rays have “fewer needs to address [this offseason] than any other team in baseball.” We are not sure what attendance has to do with the Rays offseason plans but Perry brings it up out of leftfield at the end of the piece noting that teams usually show an attendance spike the year after a successful playoff run. [Fox Sports]
- Marc Lancaster reports that the Andrew Friedman is getting calls from players that would not normally be interested in signing with the Rays, noting that these players want to play with the Rays and are willing to accomodate the Rays (ie. switching positions) to make it happen. [Tampa Tribune]
- Marc Lancaster says the Rays greatest asset right now is their pitching depth and if a trade is made at the winter meetings it will probably involve a starting pitcher. [Tampa Tribune]
- Mets Fever says the Mets will have a hard time landing Edwin Jackson, noting the Metropolitans don’t have outfield depth. [Mets Fever]
- Rays Digest takes a look at pitching prospect Nick Barnese, who was #22 on our most recent Trade Value Index. RD compares Barnese’s makeup to Matt Garza and analyzes his pitch repertoire. If you are not into reading the usual rhetoric about the depth of pitching in the organization and just want to read about Barnese, skip to the 9th paragraph. [Rays Digest]
- MLB.com has their list of the top 50 prospects. The list is topped by David Price and includes four Rays farmhands in total. Tim Beckham (22), Wade Davis (31) and Jeremy Hellickson (39) are also on the list. [MLB]
- Rays Prospects is profiling the top hitting prospects in the organization. #13 is… [Rays Prospects]
- David Chalk continues to crank out his list of the top Devil Rays of all time. #18 is… [Bugs and Cranks]
- Bud Selig and Major League Baseball make too much money and are too concerned about the image of the sport to ever put a team in Las Vegas. Still, it is a bit disheartening to hear the mayor of Las Vegas salivating over the Rays. [St. Pete Times]
- Montgomery Biscuits GM Greg Rauch is at the winter meetings in Vegas to find a radio broadcaster. [Montgomery Advertiser]
Dec 08
John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus reports on a rumor that the Rays may be involved in the stalled Jake Peavy trade talks, with the Rays interested in landing Brian Giles.
A wild rumor making the rounds is that the Rays might replace the Orioles as the third team to facilitate a trade that would send ace starter Jake Peavy from the Padres to the Cubs. Reportedly, the Rays would acquire veteran Brian Giles form the Padres to play right field. However, that seems doubtful, though, as Giles is a native San Diegan and has no desire to waive his no-trade clause.
The Braves and Cubs were deemed the front-runners for Peavy several weeks ago, but those deals seemed to hit an impasse. The Padres are in full sell-off mode and have made it clear they want to trade Peavy this winter, and reduce their payroll to $40 million. The Cubs appear to be the front-runner for Peavy, but may need a third team to get involved as they don’t appear to have the prospects to get the deal done.
Giles (.398 OBP, 136 OPS+ in ’08) is in the last year of a contract that will pay him $9 million in 2009 [Ed. note: As per the comments, Giles' salary goes to $11 million in '09 if he is traded]. Giles, who is from San Diego and has the right to veto any trade (10 year veteran, at least 5 years with current team), vetoed trades to the Red Sox and the A’s last season. It was believed that he would have vetoed a move to the Rays also. It was speculated that the Padres were trying to move Giles through waivers in order to work a deal with the Rays, but that the Red Sox blocked the move by filing a claim.
Giles recently said he doesn’t believe the Padres will try to trade him this winter, but might be open to being dealt during the season if San Diego is no longer in the race.
Winter meetings updates [Baseball Prospectus]
Jake Peavy Rumors: Wednesday[MLB Trade Rumors]
Olney: A’s Nearly Acquired Giles [MLB Trade Rumors]
Towers Finds Third Team For Cubs-Peavy Deal? [MLB Trade Rumors]
Giles expects to start next season with Padres despite the rumors [San Diego Union-Tribune]
