Jul 20
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: Wade Davis. If anybody needed a start against the Orioles, it was James Shields. If two pitchers needed a start against the O’s it was Shields and Davis. Big Dub tossed 8 innings giving up just 1 run on 7 hits and 1 walk. It was Davis’ longest outing since his shutout versus the Orioles last September…BJ Upton. His single in the 2nd moved John Jaso into scoring position prior to scoring the first run. And his walk in the 3rd loaded the bases just before the floadgates opened…Evan Longoria. 3 more hits and an RBI. He is now hitting .306.
THE BAD: Season-High. The win last night put the Rays 20 games over .500, matching their high-water mark of the season. Of course that means the Rays are just 24-24 in their last 48 games.
THE TELLING: Charlotte lost in 19 innings last night. Rocco Baldelli started at DH and struck out in all 4 plate appearances…Dan Wheeler took a line-drive off of his foot and is considered day-to-day…Matt Garza’s start tonight will be his first in 10 days…
WHERE THEY STAND: The Rays are 56-36, 2.5 games behind the Yankees and 3.5 games in front of the Red Sox in the Wild Card. After 92 games in 2008, the Rays were 55-37.
THE JUNKYARD DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- Joey Johnston wore a Rays jersey and cap into Replica Yankee Stadium and lived to write about it…While Johnston’s experience was mostly positive, we can promise you, he was not sitting in the bleachers. The results would have been different (thanks Andrea). [Tampa Tribune]
- Now we know why former Rays minor leaguer Jon Weber retired a few days ago. Yesterday, Read the rest of this entry »
Mar 28
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: Dioner Navarro. Navi is expected to play on Tuesday and all indications are that he will be on the opening day roster…James Shields. In what should be his most extended outing before the regular season, Shields threw 99 pitches, worked 7 innings and looked, well, he looked like James Shields.
THE BAD: Another Close Call. Dale Thayer took a line drive off his shin. He is expected to be fine.
THE TELLING: The Rays are 16-7-1 in the spring. They won 18 in 2008, which is the franchise record…Dan Johnson cleared waivers. The Rays are now waiting to hear if he accepts an assignment to Durham…It looks like Joe Maddon is leaning towards batting Ben Zobrist third, followed by Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena…Willy Aybar played first base in a minor league game yesterday suggesting he will be on the opening day roster.
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- A reminder that tomorrow night’s game will be televised on the MLB Network.
- Both Willy Aybar and Matt Joyce are questionable to start the season with the Rays. Marc Topkin writes about what that means for the roster. [St. Pete Times]
- Carl Crawford is working this spring to add the drag bunt to his repertoire. Joe Maddon thinks it will add 10-15 points to his batting average…Also, Maddon says that playing time for Kelly Shoppach and Dioner Navarro could be dependent on who is on the mound. Each pitcher may get assigned one of the catchers to be their regular partner. [St. Pete Times]
- Former Rays farmhand Jon Weber has spent 11 years in the minors and never played a big league game. But he has an outside shot to make the Yankees opening day roster. [NY Daily News]
- Joe Smith writes about Elliot Johnson’s uncertain future and what may be his last week in the Rays organization after 8 seasons. [St. Pete Times]
- Marc Topkin looks at the Rays efforts to return to defensive dominance. [St. Pete Times]
- A lengthy round-table discussion of the Rays. [inside pulse sports]
- TBRF wonders what we can expect from Jeff Niemann this year. [Tampa Bay Rays Fan]
- Joey Johnston writes about Kelly Shoppach’s transition to the Rays. [Tampa Tribune]
- Another preview of the Rays. This one from RealGM. [RealGM]
- A look at the Durham Bulls schedule. [Watching Durham Bulls Baseball]
Mar 06
Jon Weber has played 11 seasons for six different organizations and has never played in a big league game. And yet, Weber’s glove is in the baseball Hall of Fame.
How did that happen? The story comes to us via Rich Herrera during the radio broadcast of yesterday’s game.
At some point during the first-half last season, Carl Crawford began using Weber’s glove for reasons unknown. And when Crawford robbed Brad Hawpe of a home run during the 2009 All-Star game leading to the All-Star MVP award, Crawford made the grab using Weber’s glove. After the game, the Hall of Fame asked for Crawford’s cap and the glove.
So now, Jon Weber, who has never appeared in a big league game, has his glove in Cooperstown.
Nov 27
Just a few links to wet your tastebuds on this day after Turkey Day.
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- The Rays continue their infatuation with side-arming relief pitchers by signing Joe Bateman and RJ Swindle to minor league deals.
- The Blue Jays are interested in trading for Reid Brignac, but feel the Rays are asking for too much. [MLB Trade Rumors]
- Jon Weber has signed a minor league deal with the Yankees. [Watching Durham Bulls Baseball]
- Bill Chastain writes about the different ways the Rays give back to the community. [MLB]
- Jeff Niemann was not named as part of the Topps MLB Rookie All-Star team. The roster includes just one right-handed pitcher with that spot going to Tommy Hanson of Atlanta. Niemann was 13-6 with a 3.94 ERA while Hanson was 11-4 with a 2.89 ERA. Niemann had a better WAR (3.2 vs 2.6) but Hanson had the better FIP (3.50 vs 4.07). Doesn’t seem like a huge oversight. [The Heater]
- Baseball Digest takes a look at the Rays off-season plans. [Baseball Digest]
- Bill Chastain writes about the work Mitch Talbot is getting in the Arizona Fall League. Mitch Lukevics says it is an opportunity to get Talbot some more innings since he only made 11 starts this season due to injury. Of course, Talbot will be out of minor league options in 2010, so the Rays may either be hoping Talbot can fill a bullpen role or they are showing other teams that Talbot is healthy should the Rays attempt to trade him. [MLB]
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]
Sep 04
Durham 14, Charlotte 3. With the Bulls down to 2 starting pitchers (Jeremy Hellickson and Jason Cromer), Durham turned to Calvin Medlock who made his first start since 2005 and turned in a gutsy performance, striking out 9 in 4.2 innings. He did allow 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks including 2 home runs. We are sure that most Bulls fans understand that the team serves at the pleasure of the Rays, but damn. They are about to start the IL playoffs and there is nobody left on that roster. We mean No-Body. That must be frustrating…Desmond Jennings went 7-7 with 6 singles, a double and his 15th steal in 28 triple-A games. He is now hitting .347 since his promotion. And all of the sudden BJ Upton just got a little more expendable…Justin Ruggiano hit his 15th home run and stole his 23rd base.
Mobile 5, Montgomery 4. Aneury Rodriguez finally came back down to Earth a bit, giving up 5 runs in 5.2 innings. He did strike out 7 walking just 1…Jose Lobaton went 0-3 with 2 walks. Since being signed by the Rays, Lobaton is hitting just .254, but has a .379 OBP and an .858 OPS. He has a solid 18 to 14 strikeout to walk ratio.
Jupiter 6, Charlotte 5. Alex Cobb struck out 8 in 6 innings, and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 2 hits and 2 walks. The big blow was a 2-run home run…Shawn Williams hit his 3rd home run and Matt Sweeney went 0-3 with 2 walks.
Greenville 7, Bowling Green 6 (12). Matt Moore struck out 7 in 4 innings, but gave up 3 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits and 4 walks…Tim Beckham went 3-6 but committed his 41st error in 120 games.
Hudson Valley 5, Brooklyn 4.
Princeton. (no games scheduled)
Notes from Down on the Farm…
- Triangle Offense breaks down each of Desmond Jennings record-setting 7 hits. [Triangle Offense]
- Per a Durham Bulls press release, Jon Weber has been named to the International League post-season all-star team. He is hitting .302-14-69.
Sep 01
Gwinnett 8, Durham 6. With the Bulls still short on starting pitching, Jeff Bennett made another start giving up 2 runs in 2 innings…Matt Joyce hit his 16th home run and was 2-4…Fernando Perez was 0-4 with a walk and his 8th steal…Reid Brignac went 2-5 with a double and an RBI.a
Carolina 1, Montgomery 0 (gm 1). Brandon Mann allowed 1 run in 5.1 innings with 4 strikeouts and 3 walks…Jose Lobaton pinch-hit and struck out…The Biscuits managed just 3 hits.
Montgomery, Carolina (gm 2). Alex Torres, acquired in the Scott Kazmir deal, made his debut for the Biscuits, working 4 innings and giving up 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 3. Two runs came via a home run…The Biscuits managed just 1 hit, a leadoff single in the 5th by Matt Fields, and 4 hits total in the double-header.
Charlotte. (no games scheduled)
Asheville 7, Bowling Green 0. Shane Dyer made his 15th start and dropped to 1-10 after giving up just 2 unearned runs in 4.2 innings. He struck out 5 and walked none…Converted infielder Joey Callender gave up 5 runs in 4.1 innings of relief. This was his first appearance for Bowling Green after 48 innings (3.75 ERA) with Princeton…Tim Beckham went 0-4 and Jake Jefferies was 1-4. Beckham stole his 13th base. He was also caught for the 10th time.
Oneonta 3, Hudson Valley 1.
Princeton 6, Greeneville 2.
Notes from Down on the Farm…
- Desmond Jennings was named the Southern League MVP. [Biscuit Crumbs]
- Winston Abreu was named the IL pitcher of the week. [Rays Prospects]
- Jon Weber hopes to play in Japan in 2010 (scroll down about two-thirds). [Triangle Offense]
- RP Paul Phillips has been promoted to Durham. [Biscuit Crumbs]
Aug 28
Durham 3, Norfolk 1. Chris Richard hit a one out, 3-run home run in the 9th inning to overcome a 1-0 deficit…Desmond Jennings was 1-4 with a double and Matt Joyce was 0-2 with a walk…Aki Iwamura went 0-4 and Justin Ruggiano went 2-4 with his 22nd steal.
Montgomery. (no games scheduled)
Jupiter @ Charlotte. (ppd. rain)
West Virginia 4, Bowling Green 0. Frank de los Santos pitch 5 no-hit innings, striking out 3 and walking 2. He also hit 2 batters…The Hot Rods managed just 3 hits, 1 being a double by Tim Beckham.
Lowell 3, Hudson Valley 2.
Princeton 7, Johnson City 4.
Princeton 14, Johnson City 2 (gm 2).
Notes from Down on the Farm…
- Jon Weber and Jason Childers were named to the Team USA squad for the upcoming World Cup in September. [Durham Bulls]
Jul 16
Durham. (no games scheduled)
Montgomery 9, West Tenn 3. Brian Baker is now 5-1 after his 9th start, allowing just 1 run on a solo home run in 7 innings…Desmond Jennings went 2-2 with 3 walks and added his 8th home run. He is now hitting .318.
Charlotte 8, Jupiter 2. David Newmann improved to 5-4, giving up 2 runs in 6 innings…Shawn O’Malley went 3-5 and scored twice…Shawn Riggans made his second rehab start, playing DH and going 1-3 with a walk…Shawn Williams hit a 3-run home run, his first, and drove in 4.
Lakewood 4, Bowling Green 3. Chris Andujar allowed just 2 hits and 2 walks in 5 scoreless innings…Tim Beckham went 0-4 with 2 strikeouts.
Hudson Valley 5, Batavia 4.
Princeton 10, Kingsport 4.
Notes from Down on the Farm…
- Reid Brignac started at shortstop for the International League in the triple-A all-star game and went 1-3 with an RBI double. Dale Thayer had the longest stint of any IL pitcher going 1.2 innings, walking 1 and striking out 1. [MiLB]
- Gerry Hunsicker will be in Montgomery to watch the Biscuits (Desmond Jennings?) in a few days. [Biscuit Crumbs]
- Jon Weber received a peculiar endorsement offer. [Watching Durham Bulls Baseball]
Mar 22
Time to bring back the GBT – The Good, The Bad and The Telling sandwich, where The Bad is nice and lean and the The Telling is ripe.
Saturday’s game was rained out, but the GBT for Friday’s game can be found after the Webtopia.
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- Today’s Grapefruit League matchup between the Rays and Yankees will be broadcast on the MLB Network at 1:00pm.
- With yesterday’s rainout, the Rays shuffled their starting pitchers, with David Price working against the Yankees and James Shields pitching in a minor league game so that he can stay on normal rest. [Tampa Tribune]
- BJ Upton was hit in the hand with a pitch, but x-rays were negative. Certainly missing any time will hurt Upton’s chances of being in the opening day lineup. [St. Pete Times]
- Marc Topkin talks to career minor league Jon Weber, who is 31 and still looking for just one day in the major leagues…In the same piece, Topkin notes that the Rays may soon add Chad Bradford and/or Fernando Perez to the 60-day DL. Doing so would open one or two spots on the 40-man roster for somebody like Jason Isringhausen. [St. Pete Times]
- Roger Mooney notes that the Rays are drawing big crowds this spring everywhere they go. [Bradenton Herald]
- Marc Topkin looks at how the Rays have given other teams hope to accomplish the impossible. [St. Pete Times]
- Marc Lancaster wonders if the Rays will be the “next Rays” in 2009 and become a model franchise that is mimicked by other organizations for years to come. [Tampa Tribune]
- Gabe Kapler thanks the local Jewish community for welcoming him to the area…Also, a good example of how missing one word can completely change the meaning of a title. [Gruntig!]
- This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, but Jonny Gomes has made the Reds opening day roster. [Pearls of Wisdom]
THE GOOD: Carl Crawford. CC hit a 2-run home run in the first inning…Morgan Ensberg. Ensberg had maybe his best offensive game this spring, going 2-2 with a double and an RBI
THE BAD: Matt Garza. 4 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks in 4.2 innings is not good, even in the spring…Jeff Niemann. Niemann may have put the nail in his own coffin as far as the starting rotation goes and any hopes of seeing meaningful innings in the bullpen as a relief pitcher are slowly fading also after giving up 9 runs in two-thirds of an inning. Niemann faced 12 batters, and gave up 5 singles, 2 doubles and 3 walks.
THE TELLING: Gabe Kapler got the start in center field and Morgan Ensberg started at third base with Evan Longoria gone to the WBC.
