Nov 20
If you missed it yesterday, the Rays added Desmond Jennings, Jeremy Hellickson and Alex Torres to the 40-man roster. The move left the team with exactly 40 players on the 40-man roster.
The biggest surprise was the absence of Aneury Rodriguez, the pitcher the Rays received from the Rockies for Jason Hammel. While Torres is more valuable than Rodriguez, we are surprised that the Rays are willing to risk losing Rodriguez in the Rule 5 Draft, when they have a seemingly expendable player on the 40-man roster like Elliot Johnson.
Rodriguez struggled in the first-half of the season and finished with a 4.50 ERA (4.69 FIP) in 142 innings with 111 strikeouts and 59 walks at double-A Montgomery. But he was much stronger in the second-half as he seemed to find a rhythm, regularly pitching into the 7th inning and allowing 2 runs or fewer.
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- Marc Topkin has read the new book by Vince Naimoli we discussed a few months ago, and breaks down a few of the more controversial sections. As we write this we can’t recall the name of the book, but we are pretty sure it should be titled, “I am bitter as hell and about 10 people will know it!” [St. Pete Times]
- We dropped this on Twitter a couple of days ago, but in case you are one of the silly people not following us on Twitter, a few more big names from the Rays minor league system have been granted free agency, including Winston Abreu, Calvin Medlock (came over in the Jorge Cantu trade), Carlos Hernandez, Jon Weber and Jason Perry.
- The City of St. Pete has responded to ABC’s recommendation for a new baseball stadium for the Rays. Lines are starting to be drawn in the sand, and as we have said previously, this is going to get ugly before it gets better. [St. Pete Times]
- Bob Nightengale of USA Today said yesterday that the Rays have become the “clear-cut favorite” to land Milton Bradley. It is unclear if he is basing that on inside information or if he is just speculating based on the news reports that are already out there. [Twitter]
- The Rays Party takes a look at Grant Balfour’s fastball. [The Rays Party]
Jul 30
Durham @ Scranton/WB. (ppd. rain)
Montgomery 5, Huntsville 1 (gm 1). Heath Rollins evened his record at 9-9 after holding Huntsville to 1 run in 5 innings on 7 hits and no walks. He struck out 3…Desmond Jennings went 0-3 and Cody Cipriano was 0-2 with a walk.
Montgomery 10, Huntsville 0 (gm 2). Aneury Rodriguez may have figured something out. He pitched a 7-inning complete game shutout, allowing just 4 hits and 2 walks. He did hit a batter. It is the third straight start in which he has not allowed a run and his scoreless innings streak is not 19. In his last 3 starts, Rodriguez has given up just 6 hits and 6 walks in 19.2 innings…Desmond Jennings was 1-4 with a double and an RBI and Matt Spring hit his 6th home run.
Tampa 7, Charlotte 0. Alex Cobb gave up 4 runs in 5.2 innings…Shawn O’Malley went 0-3 with a walk.
Bowling Green 10, Lake County 4. Nick Barnese gave up just 1 run on 2 hits and a walk in 6 innings. He struck out 3 and now has a 2.30 ERA…Tim Beckham was 1-5 with a double and 3 strikeouts…Jake Jefferies hit his 7th home run and went 2-5.
Hudson Valley 2, Aberdeen 0 (7).
Princeton 7, Bluefield 6 (11).
Notes from Down on the Farm…
Apr 10
Durham 2, Norfolk 1. Mitch Talbot pitched 5 shutout innings, striking out 4 and walking none…Dale Thayer pitched the 9th for the save…The Bulls managed only 4 hits with one run scoring on an error and the other on a ground out…Reid Brignac was 1-3 with a walk.
West Tenn 7, Montgomery 6.Jeremy Hellickson picked up right where he left off, throwing 5 shutout innings, allowing only 2 singles and a walk. He stuck out 3…Eddie Morlan could only retire 1 of the 5 batters he faced, walking 3. Three of the runners eventually scored…Desmond Jennings (right) was 1-4 with a stolen base.
Ft. Myers 9, Charlotte 4. Alex Cobb struck out 7 and walked only 1 in 4 innings. He gave up 1 run on 3 hits…BJ Upton was 0-2 with 2 walks and was hit by a pitch. He stole 2 bases and was caught once trying to steal third.
Bowling Green 8, Hickory 3.Matt Moore struggled with his control walking 6 in 3+ innings. He gave up 2 runs and struck out 4…Tim Beckham got off to a good start, hitting a solo home run and driving in 3. He finished 2-5…Catcher Mike McCormick also homered, a two-run shot.
Notes from Down on the Farm…
- David Price will start for Durham tonight and Aneury Rodriguez, the player traded for Jason Hammel, will make his first start for Montgomery.
- Jennifer LaBrosse updates the status of Bulls manager Charlie Montoyo’s son, who suffers from a congenital heart disease and writes about the inspiration Montoyo derives from his son. [Durham Bulls]
- The Durham Bulls have jerseys with a slightly new look this season, with piping to mimic that of the Rays. [Durham Bulls]
- And don’t forget to check in with Watching Durham Bulls Baseball from time to time. [Watching Durham Bulls Baseball]
Apr 06
Dan Johnson’s career with the Rays lasted a grand total of 10 games and 28 trips to the plate. But with one mighty swing of the bat at Fenway last fall (right), he will always be remembered for what he contributed to the franchise.
Rain is threatening the cancellation of today’s opening day game in Boston and there has been some chatter about how silly it is for Major League Baseball to schedule opening day games in cold weather cities.
While it would be nice for the defending American League champions to open at home, it is quite possible the Tampa Bay Rays don’t want to be at The Trop this week. Or possibly Major League Baseball does not want small market teams at home this week in order to maximize ticket revenue.
Fewer home games in April and May mean more home games in June and July after schools let out. From a ticket sale perspective, it is better to give the big market clubs more games early in the year, and it just so happens that most of those clubs are in the northeast where weather is not favorable this time of year. And while any team can sell out opening day, it is the rest of that first week that suffers with low attendance in small markets.
In April, the Rays play 15 games on the road and only 8 games at The Trop.
As for opening day itself? Major League Baseball is well aware of the problem with weather. This is why the Rays and Red Sox have an off-day tomorrow. Bad weather is not new to baseball.
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- Today is the greatest day of the year, opening day…We will be back in a little while with our annual “State of the Franchise.” And then a little later will are going to try out a couple of new features for the 2009 season…The first part is a gameday thread, but like everything else, we are going to give the traditional gameday thread a little Rays Index twist. The second part is another contest for a chance to win tickets to a game to watch the Rays this season…So be sure to check back later for all the details.
- Marc Lancaster has some quotes from Andrew Friedman and Joe Maddon on Jason Hammel, Jeff Niemann and Aneury Rodriguez. [Rays Report]
- Marc Topkin and Tom Jones provide an audio (with pics) preview of the 2009 Tampa Bay Rays. [St. Pete Times]
Apr 05
It’s official, Joe smith of the St. Pete Times is reporting that the Rays have traded Jason Hammel to the Colorado Rockies for double-A prospect Aneury Rodriguez.
Hammel said he has been informed by the Rays he’s been traded to the Rockies. Though he was appreciative the Rays gave him opportunities, Hammel is looking forward to a fresh start in Colorado, where he hopes to be a part of their big-league rotation.
Though there’s been no official announcement as of yet, the Times has confirmed the Rays will get 21-year-old RHP prospect Aneury Rodriguez in return. Rodriguez, the Rockies No. 16 prospect by Baseball America, was scheduled to start the season at Double-A Tulsa, having gone 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA and 139 strikeouts/40 walks in 156 innings last season at advanced Class A Modesto.
Jeff Niemann has also told the Times that he has been informed from the team that he will be the fifth starter.
Hammel traded to Rockies; Niemann fifth starter [The Heater]
Apr 05
[Update 11:35am] Joe Smith says a Rockies scout was in the stands to watch Hammel pitch today and Smith has some quotes from Jason Hammel about the possibility of being traded.
“I haven’t heard anything,” Hammel said. “It’s been pretty rough actually. I’m just trying to not think about it. We’re just taking it in stride…I’ll throw strikes for whatever color,” Hammel said. “Whatever happens, happens…“Its been a pleasure here. I’m not saying I’m gone. But they’ve given me a lot of opportunities. Sometimes it is what it is.”
[11:00am] Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post is reporting that the Rays have accepted the Rockies offer of double-A pitcher Aneury Rodriguez for Jason Hammel. But, they are waiting to see if another team can best the offer.
The Rockies and Rays have agreed on the parameters of a deal that would land Colorado right- handed reliever Jason Hammel, but Tampa Bay is still mulling other offers…The Rockies would send Double-A pitcher Aneury Rodriguez to the Rays, whom Tampa Bay scouted heavily in Tucson last week.
This news raises a couple of questions…
- Is this the Rockies’ deal a ‘final’ offer, or if another team does propose a better package, would the Rockies have a chance to up theirs?
- Are the Rays only looking for better offers for Hammel or are they also waiting to see if a better offer comes in for Jeff Niemann?
While those questions still linger, it does appear that Niemann is the fifth starter and Lance Cormier is the seventh arm in the bullpen unless something dramatic happens in the next few hours.
Rockies tentatively set to get Hammel [Denver Post]
Apr 04
[Update 2:15pm] Marc Lancaster says he would be surprised if the Rays don’t make a deal by tomorrow for either Jason Hammel or Jeff Niemann.
[2:10pm] Troy Renck of the Denver Post is reporting that the Rays have spent the past week scouting Aneury Rodriguez, a double-A pitcher for the Rockies, who may end up being a key piece in a deal that would send Jason Hammel to the Rockies.
There is growing momentum for a trade to transpire between Tampa Bay and the Rockies involving right-hander Jason Hammels. The Rays heavily scouted the Rockies this past week, keeping a close eye on Double-A starter Aneury Rodriguez.
Earlier today, Fanhouse quoted a Rockies official that said talks with the Rays had resumed. The Rockies are targeting Jason Hammel and the official said a deal could be finalized by tomorrow.
Rodriguez is a 21-year old right-handed pitcher that made 27 starts for Modesto of the California league. He was 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA and an impressive 139-to-40 strikeout to walk ratio in 156.1 innings.
If the Rays do trade Hammel, Jeff Niemann would then become the Rays fifth starter to start the season and Lance Cormier would be the final relief pitcher.
Rays look at Rodriguez as they try to find trade fit [Denver Post]
Rockies, Rays Could Make Deal Soon [Fanhouse]
