[THE HANGOVER] Mark Teixeira Holding Up Free Agent Market
Joe Maddon, Mark Teixeira, Michael Kalt, Milton Bradley, Rocco Baldelli, Ty Cobb, Ty Wigginton December 18th. 2008, 10:08am
Just the links today as we celebrate the 122nd birthday of Ty Cobb, spikes high. Which reminds us…If you are looking for a right-handed DH-type, with some positional flexibility and a 2008 OPS+ of 128, there is a certain familiar name available on the market.
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- This afternoon, I will appear with Tyler Hissey on the “Rays Digest Podcast” at 2:00. There may be an opportunity to take calls and if you are unable to listen live, the show will be available afterwards. [Rays Digest]
- John Romano caught up with Joe Maddon at another night of “Thanksmas”…And for those that have been curious, the article includes a photo of Maddon’s new wife. [St. Pete Times]
- In yesterday’s report on the updated diagnosis of Rocco Baldelli, WPRI said they had been told by Baldelli’s family that Red Sox officials had not contacted Baldelli about playing for Boston. Marc Lancaster reports that Baldelli has indeed met with Red Sox officials. [Tampa Tribune]
- Ken Rosenthal explains that Mark Teixeira is holding up the free agent market including all of the Rays potential targets. For example, Milton Bradley will not sign with the Cubs or Rays until he knows the Yankees and Angels are not interested. And they could become interested if they don’t land Teixeira. [Fox Sports]
- David Chalk of Bugs and Cranks is up to Day 18 of the all-time greatest Devil Rays Advent calendar. [Bugs and Cranks]
- The Yankees are in a legal battle over funding for their new stadium and it somehow involves Rays VP Michael Kalt. To be clear, it appears Kalt is one of the good guys in the mess. [St. Pete Times]
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What is with the title of Lancasters Article: Ex-Ray Baldelli More Hopeful About Career After New Diagnosis.
Does they know something, we dont?
Before the trade for Joyce, I thought Wigginton might be a target. I doubt that now as he remains a role player, albeit a productive one, not an impact hitter which is what the Rays are supposed to be after. And he is probably rather expensive even if the estimates of $7 million is high, while he in essence duplicates Aybar on the team.
i don’t think Wiggy is very likely. but if something happens and the Rays don’t find an impact bat they were seeking, i could see him as a backup plan in the $3-4 million range.
but i doubt he will even still be available at that point
You can’t possibly mean Ty “GIDP” Wigginton?
I agree Professor, exactly as you say it. There is some consensus that he will cost more than $4 million. He got $4.35 last year and had his best season ever. And he is not old or injury prone. It seems likely some team will up the ante to acquire him.
I’m sorry but I don’t see how Kalt gets named one of the good guys in this. It seems like he and several other people in the mayor’s office were responsible for pressuring the tax appraiser to inflate the value of the stadium.
I have talked to a couple of people about this and I may have been misreading the situation. my initial take was that Kalt was a reluctant accomplice in that he was just doing what he was ordered to do and that he was trying to openly hint at what was going on. i now see that may not be the case.