D-Rays question

[Vince]

Where is Rocco Baldelli?

And wasn't Delmon Young supposed to come up this year and start at RF? Or was it BJ Upton that was getting the promotion at short?

[CoRruPt-]

Re: D-Rays question

Where is Rocco Baldelli?

And wasn't Delmon Young supposed to come up this year and start at RF? Or was it BJ Upton that was getting the promotion at short?

" Devil Rays OF Rocco Baldelli continues to recover from a strained hamstring but won't return until May at the earliest."
http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=161664&hubname=

[Thrasha]

Re: D-Rays question

Where is Rocco Baldelli?

And wasn't Delmon Young supposed to come up this year and start at RF? Or was it BJ Upton that was getting the promotion at short?

It'd have to be Delmon Young you're thinking of. The DRays have said they won't even consider bringing up Upton to play SS even if Lugo goes on the DL.

They should just go ahead and change his position if they don't think he's qualifed to play SS.

[Misfit]

Re: D-Rays question

The DRays are terribly managed. Upton and Young could be having success at the major league level already, but they've been too stupid to move Upton to second or the outfield and won't let Young have a shot. Young is certainly more qualified than Gathright.

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: D-Rays question

They should move Upton to 3rd, trade Baldelli/Gathright, bench Damon Hollins permanently and start Delmon Young in right field, but of course the D-Rays won't do something so logical.

[Vince]

Re: D-Rays question

They should move Upton to 3rd, trade Baldelli/Gathright, bench Damon Hollins permanently and start Delmon Young in right field, but of course the D-Rays won't do something so logical.

A more logical move would be to trade Aubrey Huff

[Matteh]

Re: D-Rays question

For those saying Upton should be moved to a different position, he said he will not play another position and if the Rays try to move him he will demand a trade. So there is some "logical" thinking in not pissing off one of your top prospects. I'm surprised the Rays didn't call him up with Lugo on the DL, but they may not trust his defense which has been horrendous. He worked with Ozzie Smith over the winter, but he did the same thing last year and still made 50 errors. He looked to be improved in ST this year though.

With Young, there is just a glut in the OF. They have Baldelli, Gomes, Crawford, Hollins(for now), and Gathright(who's in some trade rumors with the Marlins) for their OF/DH. Huff is at 3B/DH right now, although I think when he's traded Young will be called up to play in right/DH. There's no point in him being in the majors if he's not going to play every day. I think he'll be an every day guy come this offseason.

[Misfit]

Re: D-Rays question

Sometimes you have to force a player to change positions. It doesn't matter what Upton thinks at this point. Pretty much every scout who sees him says he can't play short, and the results say the same thing. If Soriano can be moved to left, then Upton can be moved elsewhere.

[Matteh]

Re: D-Rays question

If Soriano can be moved to left, then Upton can be moved elsewhere.

Different circumstances. The Nats were going to take away Soriano's salary for the year and not count it as a year of service if he sat out all year thus he wouldn't be a FA this summer and cash in. I also don't think Upton is right to play SS, but I guess the Rays are willing to give the guy more chances instead of risking him never playing in a Rays uniform. Hopefully he improves his fielding skills to become a decent SS in the field. He certainly has the bat to be in the majors, maybe the fielding will come in time.

BTW, Vinceanity. I post news in the DRays thread so if you ever have any player questions look there or just ask one in the thread and I'll answer.

[Misfit]

Re: D-Rays question

They can just as easily force Upton to the bench and take his money away if he won't switch. Right now, he has no value to anyone as a shortstop because he is just so bad.

[Thrasha]

Re: D-Rays question

I would have loved if the Sox could have landed Gathright over Coco.

I would imagine he might have come at a cheaper price than Andy Marte. But knowing the Devil Rays front office, I could be mistaken.

[GBrushTWood]

Re: D-Rays question

I would have loved if the Sox could have landed Gathright over Coco.

Erm...Gathright has one defineable attribute that makes him a major leaguer: blazing speed. Aside from this, he has no business even being near a diamond. The guy couldn't hit a beachball with a fungo bat. He is terrible with the stick.

Crisp on the other hand has proven he can hit for average in addition to having some pop. He can run the bases adequately, and has average to above average speed. His defense is average at very worst. There is no circumstance I could envision the Red Sox desiring Gathright over Coco Crisp.

[Vince]

Re: D-Rays question

I would have loved if the Sox could have landed Gathright over Coco.

I would imagine he might have come at a cheaper price than Andy Marte. But knowing the Devil Rays front office, I could be mistaken.

You're really underrating Coco...

[Thrasha]

Re: D-Rays question

You're really underrating Coco...

Not really underrating Coco, I like him. I just would have preferred to have kept Marte.

Pena, if he developed in to what some people think he could be, along with Marte, would be a great young duo.

[Matteh]

Re: D-Rays question

I would have loved if the Sox could have landed Gathright over Coco.

I would imagine he might have come at a cheaper price than Andy Marte. But knowing the Devil Rays front office, I could be mistaken.

The Rays have been involved in a trade rumor with the Marlins where they would send Scott Olsen in return for Gathright to give you an idea of the asking price. Chuck Lamar is no longer GM so the front office isn't as bad anymore, although the 3 way deal (with Bos and ATL IIRC) that died in the offseason did not help in changing opinions of that.