Archive for the 'Matt Capps' Category

Dec 14

[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss Aki’s Class, Montoyo’s Hardware And The Fail Of Closer Committees

Aki Iwamura, Charlie Montoyo, Grant Balfour, Joe Maddon, Matt Capps, Rafael Soriano Cork Gaines 6 Comments »

Akinori Iwamura took out a full-page ad in the Sunday St. Pete Times (click on image to see a larger versions), thanking the Tampa Bay Rays and their fans. Classy move by a classy guy.

In related news, the guy that sold the full-page ad was taken to the hospital after six straight hours of doing the Ed Lover Dance*.

*he may have only been doing the Ed Lover Dance in his head

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • The Rays avoided arbitration with yet another player, this time agreeing to a one-year deal with Grant Balfour for $2.05 million. We had The Mad Australian projected at $2.1 million. [The Heater]
  • Durham manager Charlie Montoyo was named the Minor League Manager of the Year by Baseball America. [MiLB]
  • Joe Maddon spoke with the Boston Herald about the downfall of using a closer-by-committee. This is the biggest reason most people (including us) feel closers-by-committee can’t work: Pitchers can be warn out from too much warming up during a game. This happens because the manager doesn’t always know how a situation will play out 2-3 batters down the line. [Boston Herald]
  • Closer Matt Capps was non-tendered by the Pirates. There has been some rumbling that the Rays would be a good fit. One writer even said the Rays are “very interested.” However, it was unclear if that was insider info or speculation. While the Rays may be interested now that he is a free agent, John Perrotto said they had no interest in Capps during trade talks, saying they were “leery” of his 2009 performance (it sucked). [Inside Pittsburgh Sports]
  • Roger Mooney writes that the ability to acquire Rafael Soriano only happened after the market changed by Soriano accepting arbitration from the Braves. [Tampa Tribune]
  • Keith Law breaks down the trade for Rafael Soriano (insider subscription needed). [ESPN]
Dec 06

Perrotto: Reid Brignac Is Pirates’ “Primary Trade Target”

Matt Capps, Reid Brignac, Zach Duke Cork Gaines 12 Comments »

hangoverJohn Perrotto is reporting that the Pirates top priority at this week’s winter meetings is a certain Rays minor leaguer…

Meanwhile, the Pirates’ primary trade target in Indianapolis will be Tampa Bay shortstop prospect Reid Brignac. The Pirates tried to get Brignac in a trade for Jason Bay last year and his name cameup in trade talks last month when they eventually landed second baseman Akinori Iwamura for reliever Jesse Chavez.

Perrotto adds that the Pirates are willing to part with left-handed starter Zach Duke or closer Matt Capps. Any package for Duke would certainly cost the Rays more than Brignac and according to Perrotto, the Rays don’t seem interested in Capps.

Capps posted a 5.80 ERA (4.90 FIP) with 27 saves in 57 appearances. He had 46 strikeouts to only 17 walks. He is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter.

Duke was 11-16 with a 4.06 ERA (4.24 FIP) in 32 starts. A 2009 All-Star, Duke made $2.2 million last season and is arbitration-eligible for the second time. He will be eligible for free agency following the 2011 season.

It is no secret the Rays are in the market for bullpen help, but we also wouldn’t be surprised if the Rays added a young starting pitcher like Duke. A 2.0 and 2.5 WAR pitcher the past two seasons, Duke is still relatively cheap and would represent an improvement to the rotation. Acquiring somebody like Duke would also make a pitcher like Jeff Niemann expendable and a potential trade piece in an attempt to upgrade the bullpen and/or catcher’s position.