Mar 11
Jorge Ebro reports that the Rays have signed 1B/OF Leslie Anderson to a 4-year, $3.75 million deal. Anderson, 27, a Cuban defector, tried out for 9 teams in February. Two of the scouts left the tryout “unimpressed” which likely kept the Rays in the bidding.
From Cuban Ball Players:
Leslie Anderson has been the best hitter for Camagüey. The versatile Anderson was used as a center fielder and then was moved to first base once Loidel Chapellí retired. Anderson has played RF for the national team. Anderson has gap power. He is not your typical slugger like Ryan Howard or Albert Pujols. Anderson could hit between 15-20 home runs at the Major League level if given the chance. He is a gold glove type first baseman, but I believe his value is in CF a position that requires less power than first base and in his overall versatility.
And here is a first-hand account of his workout in February:
“Leslie showed a below average arm while throwing from centerfield and first base. He ran badly from home to first base. During batting practice he hit several line drives, but showed no power. Defensively, he’ll need to play either first base or left field and hit with a very high average and lots of home runs, and right now I don’t project that he could.”
Hmmm? So the Rays first sign Hank Blalock and then give a Cuban first baseman $4 million? Anybody still think the Rays will re-sign Carlos Pena?
And yes, our first reaction to news that the Rays had signed “Leslie Anderson” was: He’s from Cuba?
Mar 11
Yesterday, Joe Maddon indicated that Ben Zobrist will likely start the season platooning in both right field and at second base. Let’s take a look at what that means for the rest of the players competing for roster spots and playing time…
Notes on the 25-man roster projection…
If Gabe Kapler is on the opening day roster…
- RIGHT FIELD: Up until now, we have just assumed Gabe Kapler is on the opening day roster. If true, he will start versus lefties and Ben Zobrist starts versus righties.
- SECOND BASE: If Kapler is on the team Zobrist plays RF versus righties and 2B versus lefties. That leaves either Sean Rodriguez or Reid Brignac to play 2B versus righties. For their careers, Rodriguez is stronger versus lefties (.940 vs .881 OPS) and Brignac has been stronger facing righties (.778 vs .638). But Rodriguez’ mark versus RHP (.881) is still stronger than Brignac’s (.778). Brignac is considered the better defender. But Rodriguez has impressed with the glove so far this spring. Therefore, we give Rodriguez the edge.
- BENCH: If Sean Rodriguez is platooning at 2B and backing up the outfield, it would seem that Joe Maddon would want to also keep Reid Brignac as the back-up middle infielder. Also, if Ben Zobrist and Gabe Kapler are playing right field, there is no need for Matt Joyce.
- SUMMARY: If Gabe Kapler’s job is a lock and Ben Zobrist is platooning in RF and at 2B, that means Sean Rodriguez and Reid Brignac make the team and Matt Joyce is back in Durham. And spring training is a competition between Rodriguez and Brignac for a portion of the 2B job.
If Matt Joyce is on the opening day roster…
- RIGHT FIELD: If the Rays decide to keep Matt Joyce on the roster, there is likely no room for Gabe Kapler as the Rays would already have 2 guys playing right field and Sean Rodriguez who can back-up in the outfield. And if Joyce is on the roster, he starts in RF versus righties and Ben Zobrist is in RF versus lefties.
- SECOND BASE: If Ben Zobrist is in RF versus lefties, he will start at 2B versus righties. That leaves Sean Rodriguez or Reid Brignac to start at 2B versus lefties. And that is a no-brainer. Rodriguez’ career OPS versus LHP (.940) dwarfs Brignac’s (.638).
- BENCH: Again, with Ben Zobrist in RF part-time, there doesn’t seem to be a good reason to keep both Matt Joyce and Gabe Kapler, so if Joyce is in, Kapler is out and the Rays will have to either eat his $1 million salary, or find a trade partner. That opens the final spot for Reid Brignac as the backup middle infielder.
- SUMMARY: If Matt Joyce is on the team, he platoons in RF with Ben Zobrist, and Sean Rodriguez platoons with Zobrist at 2B. Reid Brignac would get the final bench spot and Gabe Kapler is filing his unemployment papers.
Ultimately it looks like both Rodriguez and Brignac will make the team and the final spot will be between Kapler ad Joyce. Obviously Kapler has a huge edge as his contract is guaranteed, but it’s not like he is making Pat Burrell-money.
Mar 11
The GBT – The Good, The Bad and The Telling sandwich, where The Bad is nice and lean and the The Telling is ripe.
click above image for boxscore
THE GOOD: Offense. 5 different players had 2 hits yesterday including Jason Bartlett, BJ Upton and Kelly Shoppach…David Price. Price was solid prior to being removed even though he ended up being charged with 2 runs (both scored after he left). He retired the side in the first. And Adrian Beltre’s single was just bad luck as the pitch shattered his bat.
THE BAD: Maple Bats. Adrian Beltre’s bat broke at the handle sending the barrel flying through the air where it hit David Price in the chin and the right hand. Price was cut on his hand, but was otherwise OK…Joaquin Benoit. Benoit gave up another home run. Not a good start in battle for final bullpen spot.
THE TELLING: Ben Zobrist started in RF for the first time this spring and Reid Brignac made his first start at 3B as a pro with Sean Rodriguez at 2B…Willy Aybar will DH today…The Rays have now won 7 straight since losing the opener.
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- Joe Maddon says the maple bat is “turning into the Claymore mine of baseball”…That is fine, but does anybody know how many, if any, Rays use maple bats? Because if any Rays are using the bat, his statements are a bit hypocritical. [Tampa Tribune]
- Another injury for Desmond Jennings, his second this spring and 432nd of his career. This time it is a sprained wrist he suffered sliding earlier this week. He will have to wear a splint for 5-7 days. His spring training is probably over but he should be back in time for the start of Durham’s season. [Rays Report]
- Even though Hank Blalock is on a minor league deal, Elliot Johnson was forced to give up his number and Blalock didn’t even pay for it…The Rays don’t even know if Blalock will ever play for the team. Meanwhile, Johnson has put 8 years into this organization. Way to take care of your own Rays. [Tampa Tribune]
- Joe Maddon says Ben Zobrist will likely open the season playing both RF and 2B…Not at the same time. Because that would be weird, even for Joe Maddon. [St. Pete Times]
- A video report by Jill Arrington and Dave Wills (lucky bastard) on BJ Upton. [FSFlorida]
- Baseball Musings projects the Rays offense using the Lineup Analysis Tool and notes that BJ Upton should probably be leading off and Carl Crawford should not be batting second. [Baseball Musings]
- Rise of the Rays wonders if the Rays will look to trade Willy Aybar now that Hank Blalock is on board. [Rise of the Rays]
- Tampa Bay Rays Fan looks at all the injuries the Rays have suffered this spring. [Tampa Bay Rays Fan]
- Dock of the Rays says it is time for Pat Burrell and Hank Blalock to stop whining and start playing. [Dock of the Rays]
- Another day, another Milton Bradley story. In this interview, he blames the Chicago Cubs for the racist mail he received and doesn’t dismiss the idea that some of the mail came from people inside the organization. [ESPN]
