Archive for January 10th, 2009

Jan 10

[PAT THE BAT] At Least One Person Predicted Pat Burrell Signing

Pat Burrell Cork Gaines No Comments »

Back in November, just days after the World Series, not many of us would have even considered the possibility of Pat Burrell signing with the Rays. After all, there were reports that he may have turned down an offer from the Phillies during the season for more than $10 million per season. Besides, the Rays don’t go after big-time free agents. Right?

But there was one writer that proved prescient…

13. Pat Burrell – Rays. Burrell belongs in the AL, and the Rays have an open DH spot and the need for a righthanded hitter.

That is from Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors and his predictions for the Top 50 free agents.

2009 Top 50 Free Agents [MLB Trade Rumors]

Jan 10

[THE HANGOVER] The Mad Australian Comments On His Nickname

Dan Wheeler, Dewon Day, Eric Hinske, Gabe Gross, Grant Balfour is the Mad Australian, JC Romero, Jon Gruden, Matt Joyce, Rocco Baldelli, World Baseball Classic Cork Gaines 1 Comment »

The Rays claimed Dewon Day off of waivers from the Red Sox. Day, 28, is a right-handed pitcher that split time between double-A and triple-A in the White Sox organization in 2008. He posted an ERA of 4.56 at triple-A despite 25 strike outs and only 6 walks in 23.2 innings.

Day was added to the 40-man roster, taking the last available spot. He does have minor league options remaining.

Rays claim Day from Red Sox [Rays Report]

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • Grant Balfour’s nickname is catching on Down Under. [The Australian]

“Yeah, ‘The Mad Australian’. They call me that [in the U.S.] because I get pretty fired up sometimes,” Balfour admits. “It’s pretty full-on and intense during the season and I am just out there competing as hard as I can every pitch.”

  • Former New York Times columnist Murray Chass says there is good reason to group JC Romero with members of the Black Sox scandal. [Murray Chass...On Baseball]
  • Not sure how much of this is the new Spring Training home and how much is due to the Rays successful 2008 season, but tickets for Rays Spring Training games are selling fast. [Herald-Tribune]
  • Rocco Baldelli reflects on what it means to him to move from the Rays to the Red Sox. [Tampa Tribune]

“I think it’s beginning to sink in,” he said. “In a way, it’s sad because, obviously I’m from Rhode Island, but I also consider St. Pete my home. One way or another, the last nine years of my life have been spent mostly down there. I have a lot of good friends there, a lot of people who I’m going to miss. It’s a great place. I loved my time there and I’ll cherish it always.”

  • In her own special way, Her Rays went through all the stages of depression after Rocco Baldelli signed with the Rays. She was even willing to give the Red Sox John Gruden if they would have let the Rays keep Rocco…That doesn’t seem very fair for the people of New England. [Her Rays]
  • The other major leaguer from Rhode Island, Dan Wheeler, was named the New England Player of the Year. [Providence Journal]
  • Marc Lancaster says the Rays will likely head into 2009 with a platoon in right field with Matt Joyce in the minor leagues…It just seems to us, that as long as Gabe Gross is on the team, Joyce will start the year in triple-A. It just doesn’t make sense to have both players on the 25-man roster. [Tampa Tribune]
  • The Rays are working with Tampa Bay Watch to help restore salt marsh habitats. [TBN Weekly]
  • USA Baseball has released a list of 22 players that have expressed an interest in playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. That list does not include any Rays. [Rays Report]
  • Rays Prospects has the final stat lines for prospects in the various winter leagues. [Rays Prospects]
  • How rough is it for corner outfielders and DHs this year? It looks like Eric Hinske’s only substantial offer at this point is from Japan. [MLB Trade Rumors]