Dec 07
Yesterday we argued that Carl Crawford’s price went up with Jayson Werth’s new contract. Jayson Stark takes the contrarian view. He argues that if Crawford’s price has gone up, then his options have gone down. In fact, Stark argues that Crawford’s options may now be limited to just the Yankees.
We’re not sure. First of all, Stark bases his argument on Crawford demanding eight years and $180 million. We don’t see it going that high. Also, Stark seems a little too quick to dismiss teams like the Red Sox, Rangers and Tigers. All these teams have spent big money in the past. And just because they don’t usually spend this much, doesn’t mean they won’t be willing to go that far this time.
If Crawford does want $180 million, then he better hope the Yankees are really interested. But if the price is just $144 million, then there is no reason to think the others teams are no longer interested.
THE JUNKYARD DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- Marc Topkin reports that the Rays have signed Dan Johnson to a one-year deal for “about $1 million,” avoiding arbitration. [Twitter]
- Marc Topkin also reports that Andrew Friedman is optimistic the Rays will sign JP Howell this week. [Twitter]
- Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette speculates Read the rest of this entry »
Dec 02
In one of my recent pieces at Business Insider, I examine the possibility of the Rays signing Derek Jeter. While the Rays usually shy away from players like Jeter, this is a special circumstance. He represents the one player that could help convert some of the local Yankees fans.
The biggest obstacle might not be money. Rather, it could be convincing Jeter he is no longer a full-time shortstop [image at right via The Beckett Blog]
THE JUNKYARD DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- As if the Rays didn’t have enough problems with the bullpen, now comes official word that JP Howell will not be ready for opening day. However, The Dude says it could be mid-April. [The Heater]
- We know a lot of you don’t want to hear this, but John Romano repeats what we have been saying for a while: The Rays are better off using 2011 as a reloading season with an eye towards going for it in 2012. [St. Pete Times]
- Pat Burrell has Read the rest of this entry »
Dec 01
The Giants yesterday signed Miguel Tejada to a one-year deal for $6.5 million. Does that take San Francisco out of the Jason Bartlett stakes?
Maybe.
Jon Paul Morosi was still reporting yesterday that not only were the Giants still looking at Bartlett, but that they had become “the most serious suitors.”
But then Andrew Baggarly wrote that the Giants were no longer intersted…
Now I’m hearing Giants are out on a Jason Bartlett trade. They had $5-7 million budgeted for a starting SS and spent it on Tejada.
And just to muddy the waters even further Read the rest of this entry »
Nov 30
Ken Rosenthal reports that the Rays are “closer” to trading Jason Bartlett…
The Rays are closer to trading shortstop Jason Bartlett than ever before…The Dodgers’ three-year, $21 million agreement with free-agent infielder Juan Uribe on Monday sparked accelerated discussions involving Bartlett, major-league sources say…The Cardinals, Giants, Padres, Orioles and Pirates all have expressed recent interest in Bartlett. The Giants’ need is particularly acute after losing Uribe.
However, Marc Topkin reports that “nothing is considered imminent.”
There was some question about Read the rest of this entry »
Nov 24
Now that the GM meetings are over we are two weeks from the winter meetings. Let’s recap all the Rays rumors we have heard so far. If there are any we are missing, please let us know in the comments…
Carl Crawford:
Jason Bartlett:
Nov 23
We have previously heard that the Orioles, Nationals and Giants have shown interest in trading for Jason Bartlett. Now, Jon Paul Morosi adds the Cardinals and Padres to the mix.
He also mentions that the demand for Bartlett could depend on a Japanese player…
“[Tsuyoshi] Nishioka, a switch hitter with speed, is coming off a season in which he won the NPB Pacific League batting title. He has experience at shortstop and second base…While it’s not clear which clubs are serious about bidding on Nishioka, a number of major-league teams are looking to upgrade at his positions. And if he agrees to come to the U.S., Nishioka could impact the trade market for shortstops – namely Tampa Bay’s Jason Bartlett.
So let’s keep an eye on Nishioka. If he stays in Japan, the demand for Bartlett will likely increase.
THE JUNKYARD DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- MLB Trade Rumors predicts the Rays will not offer Carlos Pena arbitration by today’s deadline. If true, the Rays would not receive a draft pick if Pena signs with another team. The reason the Rays would not offer Pena arbitration is fear that he might accept. If he were to accept, he would return to the Rays in 2011, but they would probably have to pay him something comparable to his 2010 salary ($10.1M). [MLB Trade Rumors]
- Nick Paparesta, the Rays assistant athletic trainer, has been hired by the A’s as their head trainer. [MLB]
Nov 22
In the same piece we linked earlier, Nick Cafardo is also reporting that three teams are showing interest in Jason Bartlett…
Jason Bartlett, SS, Rays — He is drawing lots of interest from the Giants, Orioles, and Nationals. The Rays are dangling him in the hopes of acquiring bullpen help or a prospect or two, with Reid Brignac ready to take the shortstop position.
The Orioles are not new. We previously heard that the Orioles and Rays discussed a trade in which relief pitcher David Hernandez would be the key player coming back to the Rays.
But what is interesting here Read the rest of this entry »
Nov 19
Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Rays and Orioles have talked about a trade that would center around Jason Bartlett and relief pitcher David Hernandez.
Hernandez, a right-hander, made 41 appearances for the O’s last year (8 starts) with a 4.31 ERA (4.48 FIP) with 72 strikeouts and 42 walks in 79.1 innings. His fastball is about 94-95 on the gun.
Nov 16
Marc Topkin reports that there is a high level of interest at the winter meetings for a couple of Rays relievers. It just might not be the relievers you would think…
Word at GM meetings in Orlando is that interest is strong in free-agent relievers Benoit + Choate
By now, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that there is a high-level of interest in Joaquin Benoit. He was one of the best relievers in the AL last year, and just because the Rays are anonymous to the media, doesn’t mean the players are anonymous to the other GMs.
On the other hand, interest in Randy Choate is a little surprising. While Choate had a good, if not spectacular season, lefty specialists are not that rare.
P.S. The picture at right is of Andrew Friedman at the GM meetings, with a certain local writer in the background gazing intently.
THE JUNKYARD DOGS WEBTOPIA…
Nov 15
Yesterday it was announced that the Marlins have broken off contract talks with Dan Uggla and that they now plan to trade their slugging second baseman.
Uggla, who is arbitration-eligible and made $7.8 million last season, will be eligible for free agency following the 2011 season. In the last three seasons, Uggla has hit 31-33 home runs, and posted an OBP of at least .354.
Hardball Talk asks if the Rays would trade BJ Upton and Jason Bartlett for Uggla.
We have already heard that Upton might be available, and there is little chance Jason Bartlett will be back in 2011 considering Reid Brignac can do the same job at one-tenth the price.
But beyond that, there is little chance the Rays would even be interested in Uggla.
For one, even without Read the rest of this entry »
