Archive for the 'Eddie Morlan' Category

May 26

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss Upton’s Shoulder, Shoppach’s Return And Bob Davidson Channeling His Inner-Billy Crystal

BJ Upton, Bob Davidson, Carl Crawford, Eddie Morlan, Joe Maddon, Kelly Shoppach, Wade Davis Cork Gaines 36 Comments »

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: James Shields. James the Greater continues to be one of the most dominant pitchers in the AL with another solid 8 inning performance. And he got stronger as the game went along, retiring the final 16 batters he faced.

THE BAD: Bob Davidson. That pitch above was the one that set Carl Crawford off and eventually led to his ejection. You could have made the strikezone twice as wide and it still wouldn’t have been a strike. But that was just the latest of many pitches last night that helped Jon Lester look like 1991 Tom Glavine who was the master of expanding the zone. If you want a light-side to the story, it is that this is the closest we have ever seen to a real-life reenactment of Billy Crystal flipping out as an NBA ref in “Forget Paris.” Crawford says he was ejected because Davidson told him he was “invading [his] space.” We still have no idea why Joe Maddon was ejected since he was ejected before he even had a chance to say anything…BJ Upton. Once one of the fastest bats and owner of the quickest wrists in baseball, Bossman is a shell of his former self. He has injured his shoulder at least 6 times and we have to wonder if it will ever be the same or if he is just afraid to injure it again. In May, Upton is 12-74 (.162) with 29 strikeouts and 6 walks…Dioner Navarro. Navi has the slowest bat ever. He should name it “Casey Fossum.”

THE TELLING: Joe Maddon will continue to use Willy Aybar and John Jaso in the 5th spot for the time being…Kelly Shoppach could begin a rehab assignment as soon as Monday.

WHERE THEY STAND: The Rays still have an MLB-best record of 32-14, 5 games ahead of the Yankees in the East and 6 games ahead of the Blue Jays in the Wild Card. After 46 games in 2008 the Rays were 27-19.

THE JUNKYARD DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • Carl Crawford speaks after the game about the ejection (video). [The Heater]
  • Marc Topkin has quotes from the crew chief of last night’s game on the ejections. [The Heater]
  • Wade Davis tells Marc Topkin that he was “probably a little upset” at how long it took David Ortiz to get around the bases after his Monday night home run. [St. Pete Times]
  • Sean Rodriguez and Jason Bartlett had to call 911 after Rodriguez was stung by a stingray. [St. Pete Times]
  • Eddie Morlan, the third player the Rays received in the Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett trade with the Twins, has been released. [Biscuit Crumbs]
  • Sure it is early, but in ESPN.com’s Cy Young predictor, David Price is first, followed by Rafael Soriano (2nd), Matt Garza (3rd) and James Shields (5th). That’s crazy. [ESPN]
  • “If you only go six innings, you’re going to get made fun of,” said Price, who reveals that he got “crushed” by his teammates after a recent six-inning, 97-pitch appearance against Cleveland…And if you go five?…”Don’t come to the field the next day,” Price said. [ESPN]
  • Evan Longoria makes WhatIfSports “All-Budget Lineup.” [WhatIfSports]
  • Brian Joura of Fangraphs predicts Jeremy Hellickson will be promoted soon (Ed. note: he won’t be). [Fangraphs]

DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • Check out “The Rundown” from Rays Prospects for boxscores and more detailed recaps. [Rays Prospects]
  • DURHAM: Heath Phillips gave up 2 runs in 5 innings…Dan Johnson hit his 14th home run and added a double…Desmond Jennings was 1-5 with an RBI.
  • MONTGOMERY: (no game scheduled)
  • CHARLOTTE: (postponed)
  • BOWLING GREEN: Jason McEachern pitched 5 shutout innings with 7 strikeouts and 3 walks.
Dec 11

[RULE 5 DRAFT] Rule 5 Draft: Eddie Morlan Out, Derek Rodriguez In

Derek Rodriguez, Eddie Morlan Cork Gaines 2 Comments »

Eddie Morlan was taken by the Brewers with the 16th pick of today’s Rule 5 Draft. The Rays were the last team to make a selection in the first round, taking Derek Rodriguez from the White Sox with the 19th pick. Both players must stay on the major league roster for the entire season or be offered back to their original franchise.

Rodriguez, a right-handed relief pitcher, will be 26 in May. In 2008, he was 5-2 with a 3.29 ERA in 49 appearances, split between double-A and triple-A. He struck out 10 batters per 9 innings and a decent 2.7 strikeouts-to-walk ratio. He was a 14th round selection by the White Sox in the 2005 draft.

The Rays did not make a selection, or lose any players, in the triple-A phase of the draft.

Dec 11

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Look At What The Edwin Jackson Trade Means For The Rays

Andrew Friedman, Carl Crawford, Eddie Morlan, Edwin Jackson, Jason Giambi, Joe Maddon, Ken Griffey Jr, Matt Joyce, Milton Bradley, Raul Ibanez, Troy Percival Cork Gaines 7 Comments »

Last night the Rays acquired outfielder Matt Joyce from the Detroit Tigers for Edwin Jackson.

What this trade means for the rotation…
Since the end of the World Series it seemed obvious that the Rays were going to trade either Andy Sonnanstine or Edwin Jackson. To most, Jackson seemed to be the logical choice as his peripheral numbers suggested the 14 wins in 2008 were a bit overrated. And despite a possible move to the bullpen he would have been a very expensive middle reliever.

With Jackson out of the picture, Sonny is a lock for the 4th spot in the rotation. That opens a spot that will eventually be filled by David Price. But will King David fill it in when the team breaks camp? Andrew Friedman made it clear earlier in the week that there is no guarantee Price is in the rotation to start the season. With only 5 starts above double-A, it would not surprise us to see Price in Durham for 5-6 starts to start the season. That means Jeff Niemann, Mitch Talbot and Jason Hammel will battle for the final spot in Spring Training. Since Talbot still has a minor league option, look for Niemann to get the nod as the Rays try to showcase him for other teams and then trade him to the first contender that loses a starting pitcher to injury.

What this means for the lineup…
Joyce fits in immediately at the 6-spot in the lineup as the most-days right fielder for the next six years. If the Rays are able to sign a player like Jason Giambi or Milton Bradley, Joyce falls to #7 with Evan Longoria at #6 to keep the R-L-R-L lineup. But that is another story for another day. In other words, the Rays could do a lot worse than Joyce at 6/7. And more importantly, it means the Rays don’t have to go through this mess again next year.

What this means for the roster…
We will touch on this a bit more later, but this move probably seals the door on Jonny Gomes’ career with the Rays. Already a candidate to be non-tendered on Friday night, that now seems like a foregone conclusion. 2009 will be much less Johnny-terrific. Now the question becomes, do the Rays have room for Gabe Gross? If they tender a contract to Gross, Fernando Perez is almost certainly in Durham in 2009.

What this tells us about the Rays’ front office…
The Rays have the quietest front office in baseball. Even though the Rays were talking with the Tigers for three days, we never heard a peep. Is that by design? Maybe. Most of the Rays trades seem to come from out of left field (so to speak). Did we hear anything before the Gross trade or the Willy Aybar trade or the Chad Bradford trade?

Do the Rays make it a point to keep everything under wraps as tightly as possible? Or is the front office still young enough, and the Rays still a relatively new player, that the national media has yet to establish connections within the front office?

One thing that is becoming very clear. No matter who we, as fans, think the Rays are targeting, most of the time they will get somebody we were not even thinking about. We don’t know about the rest of you, but we love it.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • Marc Lancaster says the Rays and Tigers have been talking since day one of the winter meetings and that at one point they were working on a three-team deal with the Mariners in which JJ Putz would have gone to Detroit. That seemed to be falling through so the Tigers and Rays decided to keep things simple and make it one-for-one. [Tampa Tribune]
  • Two writers are reporting that Milton Bradley has become the Cubs top target to play right field with Raul Ibanez possibly as a fall-back plan. The Rays will likely wait out the negotiations and hope that Bradley and the Cubs fail to reach a deal. If that happens, the Rays may be next in line for Bradley despite the acquisition of Matt Joyce. With the Rays, Bradley can spend a considerable amount of time at DH…Right now it looks as if the Rays top two targets, Bradley and Jason Giambi are both likely heading elsewhere. Would the Rays prefer Ibanez or Bobby Abreu at $8-10 million (and a first round draft pick in the case of Ibanez) over Ken Griffey at $3-4 million? [MLB Trade Rumors]
  • Andrew Friedman indicated that the Rays are more likely to acquire a relief pitcher via trade, noting that the Rays need the flexibility of being able to send the acquisition to the minors. Why is this important? Because it took Troy Percival two months to decide he needed back surgery and the Rays are not sure if he will be available to open the season. [Rays Report]
  • In the same report, Andrew Friedman said he would not be surprised if the Rays lose as many as three players in today’s Rule 5 draft. Which reminds us. Did you guys bid farewell to Eddie Morlan yet? You only have a couple of hours left to do so. [Rays Report]
  • Joe Maddon says he is not concerned about members of the Rays participating in the World Baseball Classic. Marc Topkin lists several players that could be chosen. [The Heater]
  • Joe Maddon guesses Team USA will take Carl Crawford and a starting pitcher from the Rays roster. Of course that is only the American players. [Tampa Tribune]
  • A recent study showed the Tampa Bay Rays were directly responsible for over $100 million in direct spending by tourists in 2008. The study also showed that more than half of the Rays’ 2008 attendance (1.8 million) came from outside Piniellas County. [Tampa Bay Business Journal]
  • Baseball America has the complete list of minor leaguers eligible for today’s Rule 5 draft including 43 members of the Rays’ organization. [Baseball America]

Dec 09

[HOT STOVE] Jayson Stark: Rays Still Interested In Bringing Delmon Young Back

Andy Sonnanstine, Brendan Harris, Delmon Young, Eddie Morlan, Edwin Jackson, Garrett Atkins, Jason Bartlett, Jason Pridie, Matt Garza Cork Gaines 5 Comments »

Yesterday, Jayson Stark wrote that a source was saying the Rays would “never” take Delmon Young back.

Not so fast. Today Stark is saying the talks are very much alive and might involve a third team.

Stuff can change fast at the winter meetings. Contrary to what I reported Monday morning on this very blog, there were indications Monday night that Tampa Bay was still talking to the Twins about a deal that would bring outfielder Delmon Young back to the Rays.

Tampa Bay likely would deal away either Andy Sonnanstine or Edwin Jackson. But the trade could also involve a third team, because the Twins aren’t looking to add starting pitching.

Stark speculates that the Rockies could get involved considering their interest in acquiring starting pitching and the Twins interest in Garrett Atkins.

The Rays just traded Young away (along with Jason Pridie and Brendan Harris) last season for Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett (and Eddie Morlan). If we are reading this right, and we would like to think we are, this latest move would essentially make the original trade Sonnanstine or Jackson for Garza and Bartlett. Seems fair.

That sound you hear? That is Twins fans throwing up.

Jayson Stark: Rays Will Only Trade Bartlett In ‘Major Deal’ [Rays Index]
Rays might re-acquire Young [ESPN]

Dec 02

[THE HANGOVER] Percival Set For Surgery, Out Until At Least March

Andrew Friedman, Eddie Morlan, Troy Percival Cork Gaines 1 Comment »

Troy Percival will have surgery on his back after all. The surgery is scheduled for today and he should be back throwing by early March.

In other words, Percy took a month to figure out if he needed surgery. Two months if you consider he was back home in California for the month of October watching the Lifetime Supply of Midol channel. And now, if there is even a slight setback or if rehab takes a little longer than expected (and why wouldn’t it, Percival is only about 40 pounds overweight) he could end up missing the first month of the season.

At this point we would be surprised if Percival is not on the DL to start the season. At best, Percival is going to miss the beginning of camp and the first couple of weeks of spring training. And while Percy normally needs little work in the spring (8 appearances in ’08), we think he might need a little more than normal coming off back surgery.

If Percival does miss any of the regular season, it would open an extra spot in the bullpen. This could give the team more time before deciding how to handle Edwin Jackson or Jeff Niemann. Jackson figures to be bumped from the rotation and Niemann is out of minor league options. Both need to find a home in the bullpen or be traded. A stint on the DL for Percy at the start of the season could give the Rays a chance to evaluate one of the starters as a potential bullpen option.

Rays closer Percival set for Tuesday surgery [The Heater]

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • Andrew Friedman expects the winter meetings to be “fairly action-packed” considering how little movement has occurred to date. [Tampa Tribune]
  • Here is a list of all the free agents that were offered salary arbitration by their former teams…Players that are Type A or Type B free agents must be offered arbitration if the former team wants to receive compensation for losing the free agent. Of course, the risk is a player the team no longer wants or can afford, could accept the arbitration from the team and sign a 1-year contract. Teams that lose a Type A free agent will receive a first round pick from the team that signs the free agent (or 2nd round pick if the team picks in the top 15 selections of the draft) and a compensation pick between the first and second round. Teams that lose a Type B free agent only receive a compensation pick after the first round. The Rays did not have any free agents that were Type A or Type B, so there was no need to offer Rocco Baldelli, Trever Miller or Cliff Floyd arbitration. However, if the Rays choose to sign one of the 15 Type A free agents that were offered arbitration, it will cost the club their 2009 first round pick. Signing a type B free agent will not require the Rays to give up any draft picks. [MLB Trade Rumors]
  • NY Baseball Digest says the Mets are rumored to be interested in Eddie Morlan in the Rule 5 draft. [Mike Silva's NY Baseball Digest]
  • Rays Digest takes a look at some more hitting prospects in the Rays’ system. [Rays Digest]
Dec 01

[THE HANGOVER] Griffey Could Be Good Fit For Rays

Andy Sonnanstine, Carl Crawford, Chris Mason, Eddie Morlan, Edwin Jackson, Jermaine Dye, Joe Maddon, Ken Griffey Jr, Rhyne Hughes, Rocco Baldelli, Tim Bogar, Troy Percival Cork Gaines No Comments »

According to Jim Street, six American League teams are among the group that has contacted free agent Ken Griffey Jr.. Based on some comments from Griffey’s agent, you can be sure the Tampa Bay Rays are one of those teams.

“Kenny realizes that he probably would be a middle-ground guy when it comes to salary,” he said. “He also understands that a contract could include some incentives, but I don’t think he’ll price himself out of a job. He’s never been about being the highest paid.”…Goldberg said Griffey would be receptive to a one-year contract offer from “the right team in the right place,” but wouldn’t be any more specific than that.

Griffey’s agent says his client is healthy now after postseason season knee surgery and is ready to play a couple more years. A healthy Griffey posted 119 OPS+ with 30 home runs and a .372 OBP in 2007. Those numbers fell to 101 OPS+, 18 home runs and a .353 OBP.

This could come down to whether Griffey still wants to play the outfield on a regular basis. If he is willing to accept a role as a most-days DH, and an incentive-laden contract to play for a contender, Griffey is the type of player the Rays will target.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • We will find out this week if Troy Percival will need surgery on either his knee or his back…Also, Joe Smith is reporting that the Rays are continuing to have conversations with Rocco Baldelli. [St. Pete Times]
  • Tim Bogar, the Rays Quality Assurance Coach this past season, has been hired by the Red Sox to be their first base coach. [The Heater]
  • Rocco Baldelli won the “Tony Conigliaro Award”, which is given to “a major league player who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage.” [The Heater]
  • Carl Crawford had his baseball jersey retired by his high school prior to a recent playoff game. [Houston Chronicle]
  • Joe Maddon is one of 10 finalists for Hazelton, Pennsylvania “Person of the Year”. [Standard-Speaker]
  • According to Nick Cafardo, the White Sox would want more than Andy Sonnanstine or Edwin Jackson for Jermaine Dye…Huh, wha? More than Duke or Nuke for a player that is owed $11.5 million next season and a $12 million option in 2010? That should about do it for the “Jermaine Dye is a good fit for the Rays” talk. [MLB Trade Rumors]
  • Rounding the Bases lays out 7 reasons to trade Edwin Jackson. [Rounding the Bases]
  • Rise of the Rays takes a look at some options for the Rays in right field and at DH either through trade or via free agency. [Rise of the Rays]
  • Baseball Analysts previews the top 11 pitchers available in next week’s Rule 5 draft, including Eddie Morlan and Chris Mason. [Baseball Analysts]
  • The members of the Rise of the Rays community debate who will be the “key player for the Rays in 2009.” [Rise of the Rays]
  • Rays Prospects has an update on winter league stats for several current and former Rays prospects. [Rays Prospects]
  • Rays Digest looks at the top hitting prospects in the organization. [Rays Digest]
  • Baseball Talk takes a look at some of the lesser known pitching prospects in the Rays system. [Baseball Talk...]
  • After Rhyne Hughes’ solid Arizona Fall League season, Examiner.com tries to project how good the prospect can be. [Examiner.com]
  • Ted Flemming offers several suggestions on what the Rays should do from the operations side of the coin, which includes broadcasting more spring training games. [Examiner.com]
  • The King of Series, David Chalk’s latest is counting down the 25 greatest Devil Rays…as an advent calendar. [Bugs and Cranks]
Nov 24

[THE HANGOVER] Morlan Eyed As Potential Rule 5 Draftee

Brian Knobbs, Eddie Morlan, Edwin Jackson, Evan Longoria, Joe Maddon, Joe Magrane, Ryan Church, Trever Miller Cork Gaines No Comments »

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • Despite earlier reports that Trever Miller had signed with the Cardinals, the deal is not yet finalized but is expected to get done eventually. [MLB Trade Rumors]
  • U.S.S. Mariner takes a look at some of the better players left available for the Rule 5 draft including Eddie Morlan. [U.S.S. Mariner]
  • Bleeding Blue and Teal looks at Eddie Morlan as one player the Mariners may target in the Rule 5 draft. [Bleeding Blue and Teal]
  • John Harper of the New York Daily News wonders if the Mets might have to offer Ryan Church and a prospect in order to acquire Edwin Jackson. [Daily News]
  • Bay News 9 is reporting that Albert Whitted Airport is once again being considered as a location for the Rays proposed stadium. However, as the article points out, there are still a number of obstacles that would need to be addressed. [Bay News 9]
  • Evan Longoria was named to the Topps All-Rookie Team. [MLB]
  • Rays Prospects have the winter league stats for Rays prospects, updated through last Thursday. [Rays Prospects]
  • Tyler’s Articles interviewed Jonah Keri from Baseball Between the Numbers about the Rays off-season plans. [Tyler's Articles]
  • Rays Prospects takes a look at some of the Rays top hitting prospects. [Rays Prospects]
  • Tom Jones has a Q&A with Joe Magrane who is leaving the Rays TV booth for a position with the new MLB network. [St. Pete Times]
  • David Chalk of Bugs and Cranks is back with their latest “Your Sportsmen Ain’t S#!t” compared to Joe Maddon. [Bugs and Cranks]
  • Really? [MLB Shop]
  • David Chalk of Bugs and Cranks takes exception to who Brian Knobbs has chosen to hang out with during the off-season. [Bugs and Cranks]