Archive for December 10th, 2008

Dec 10

[EDWIN JACKSON] Edwin Jackson To Be Traded To Tigers For Matt Joyce

Edwin Jackson, Matt Joyce Cork Gaines 6 Comments »

According to Ed Price (via MLB Trade Rumors) Edwin Jackson will be traded to the Detroit Tigers for outfielder Matt Joyce.

The Detroit Tigers are set to acquire right-hander Edwin Jackson from the Tampa Bay Rays for outfielder Matt Joyce, according to a major-league source.

Joyce, 24, is a left-handed hitting outfielder that hit .252/.339/.492 with 12 home runs in 92 games for the Tigers in 2008. He also hit .270/.352/.550 with 13 home runs in 56 games at triple-A.

Moving Jackson assures that Andy Sonnanstine will be in the rotation next season and clears a spot for David Price, although Jeff Niemann, Mitch Talbot and Jason Hammel could also get a shot in April if Price is deemed not ready.

And with that, the Edwin Jackson era in Tampa Bay has ended. Some people like to play video games. Some people like to read books. Edwin Jackson liked to impersonate Bob Gibson for four innings and then the Hindenburg for one.

9:32 p.m. — Source: Tigers to aqcuire Edwin Jackson [Fox Sports]
Tigers To Acquire Edwin Jackson [MLB Trade Rumors]

Dec 10

[HOT STOVE] Tampa Bay Rays Tidbits And Rumor Updates

Andy Sonnanstine, Edwin Jackson, Jason Bartlett, Jeremy Hermida, Nelson Cruz Cork Gaines 12 Comments »

Let’s use this post for minor updates on previous rumors we have heard from the winter meetings and other minor tidbits. Unless something new or substantial comes along, we will continue to update this post the rest of the day.

[Update: 3:09pm] According to Ken Rosenthal the Cardinals have offered Rick Ankiel to the Mariners for closer JJ Putz. No word yet on whether the M’s are considering the offer, but even if it is rejected this sheds some light on what the Cardinals are looking for in return for Ankiel.

[Update: 2:34pm] Marc Topkin chimes in on the Nelson Cruz and Jeremy Hermida rumors. Topkin says the Rays do not like Cruz enough to give up Edwin Jackson. Topkin also is skeptical about the report that the Rays “rejected” the Marlins trade proposal but adds “if the Marlins truly seek…two pitching prospects…they should have rejected it, given Hermida’s thus-far unimpressive numbers.”

[Update: 1:26pm] Mike Berardino is now reporting that the Marlins offered Jeremy Hermida to the Rays for two pitching prospects. The Rays rejected the offer and it appears that discussions are now dead and unlikely to be revisited. Berardino speculates that the two pitching prospects came from a list that includes Jeff Niemann, Wade Davis, Jeremy Hellickson and Mitch Talbot…Two of those pitchers? Wow, that was ballsy.

[Update: 12:24pm] Mike Berardino of the Miami Sun-Sentinel confirms the Rays interest in Jeremy Hermida but a source is telling him that it will take more than Edwin Jackson and that Andy Sonnanstine “would interest the Marlins.” Berardino says the Rays will first “exhaust several other offensive options.”

[Update: 11:23am] T.R. Sullivan is reporting that the Rays have interest in Nelson Cruz. Sullivan speculates that the Rangers are not likely to do the deal for Edwin Jackson. Cruz had a breakout season in 2008, hitting .342/.429/.695 with 37 home runs in 103 triple-A games and .330/.421/.609 and 7 home runs in 31 games with the Rangers. 2008 was his 8th pro season with four different franchises. (thanks bossman)

[Update: 10:36am] The Blue Jays are apparently looking into acquiring an infielder. Bob Elliot of the Toronto Sun (via MLB Trade Rumors) says Jason Bartlett is one player they have looked at…We wonder if the Rays have reached a level as contender where they would not trade within the division.

Dec 10

[HOT STOVE] Rays Showing Interest In Ankiel

Andy Sonnanstine, Edwin Jackson, Rick Ankiel, Scott Boras Cork Gaines No Comments »

Yesterday we wondered why there were not more rumors involving the Rays and the Cardinals. Now Joel Sherman of the New York Post is reporting that the Rays are one of five teams that have shown interest in Rick Ankiel.

Ankiel is arbitration-eligible and will be a free agent following the 2009 season. He made $900K in 2008 and Sherman speculates that he will make about $3 million in 2009. Signing Ankiel to a long-term deal is considered unlikely as he is represented by Scott Boras and Boras prefers players wait until free agency.

The other four teams reportedly interested are the Yankees, Braves, Giants and one unnamed team. The Cardinals are said to be looking for starting pitching which means they will most likely demand Edwin Jackson or Andy Sonnanstine.

ANKIEL SHOWS UP ON BOMBERS’ RADAR [New York Post]

Dec 10

[THE HANGOVER] Sabathia To Sign With Yankees For $160MM

Andrew Friedman, Billy Ripken, CC Sabathia, Dave Myers, Evan Longoria, Gary Gaetti, Jason Giambi, Rick Vaughn Cork Gaines No Comments »


DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • CC Sabathia will sign with the Yankees for seven years and $160 million. Four or five games in 2009 just got a lot harder for the Rays. [MLB Trade Rumors]
  • The Rays are adding a second rookie-level minor league team that will play in Port Charlotte as part of the Gulf Coast League. This gives the Rays seven minor league affiliates. The Rays have also hired a new hitting coach for the Durham Bulls to replace Gary Gaetti. Dave Myers played for eight seasons in the Mariners farm system, reaching as high as double-A before retiring in 1988. His most recent job was as a coach for the Mariners. [St. Pete Times]
  • Andrew Friedman does not believe the reports of Jason Giambi signing with the A’s are true, noting that Giambi would not be wasting his own time or the Rays’ time…Our feeling is that Giambi plans on signing with the A’s but is just keeping all options open until he signs a contract. At this time, the A’s appear to have their priorities elsewhere but will get to Giambi eventually. [Tampa Tribune]
  • For those that are old enough to remember, one of the most well-known baseball cards of the 1980s was the 1988 Fleer Billy Ripken with the unfortunate trademark on the knob of his bat. Ripken finally came clean to Darren Rovell of SportsBiz, about how the entire incident unfolded. How did Ripken first become aware of the baseball card? From the Rays’ own VP of Communications Rick Vaughn, who was the PR guy for the Orioles at the time. (thanks Jordi) [SportsBiz]
  • Evan Longoria will participate in the annual Hope Chrysler Classic celebrity golf tournament. [The Desert Sun]
  • David Chalk of Bugs and Cranks is, how we say? Not happy about the prospect of the Rays signing Jason Giambi. [Bugs and Cranks]
  • Andrew Friedman said they are not tied to acquiring a specific type of player, but if all else is equal they would prefer a power bat. [Tampa Tribune]