Iwamura’s Army

Today we bring you video footage of Yakult Swallows fans paying tribute to the newest D-Ray, Akinori Iwamura, or as we prefer to refer to him…Muu-Rah! (Think Marines).

• Ozzie Guillen may hate the Gays, but he sure does love idiot catchers with big mouths. After Toby Hall’s recent remarks regarding the Rays organization, he signed a 2-year deal with the White Sox to backup the most hated player (outside of Barry Bonds) in major league baseball, A. J. Pierzynski. This has reality show written all over it…Newlyweds Two.
• The latest team that may be trying to put a package together for Rocco Baldelli is the Colorado Rockies. Apparently the Rays are interested in shortstop Clint Barmes and one of the Rockies pitchers. However, the Rockies have been told that a second major league power pitcher would have to be included. The Rockies, who recently acquired outfielder Willie Tavares from the Astros, may try to move Tavares to a third team in exchange for a pitcher that could be included in a deal with the Rays.

Rays Finalize Deal With Iwamura

The Tampa Tribune is reporting that the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Japanese all-star third baseman Akinori Iwamura have agreed in principal on a contract. The deal would be for $7.25 million over three years with a team option in the fourth year. No word on how much the option would be for.

This signing means that the Rays will have to make at least one trade this off-season or be forced to send B. J. Upton back down to the minors. Upton’s move to third base now appears to be over. Iwamura could potentially play second base or the outfield, but he is a 5-time gold glove third baseman and is known to have a very strong accurate arm. His arm is so strong that he has earned the nickname Top Gun back in Japan. Of course we are currently in search of a new nickname, unless of course he is seen on Clearwater Beach playing homoerotic beach volleyball with Tom Cruise.

Iwamura’s signing leaves Upton without a regular position. It has long been speculated that his best position would be center field, but that is currently manned by Rocco Baldelli who is signed to a long-term deal. Rumors abound of a possible deal involving Rocco, but as yet nothing appears to be imminent. Upton could also be traded if the Rays are not happy with any of the offers for Baldelli. It has been reported that the Rays have already turned down two offers from the Marlins, including Scott Olsen for Rocco and Ricky Nolasco for Upton.

Jorge Cantu is another player that could be moved, either to first base, which is currently without a named starter, or to another team. Moving Cantu could open up second base for either Iwamura or Upton, but is not likely. The Rays would probably rather fill second base with a proven veteran like Marcus Giles, who was non-tendered by the Braves. Still, that appears to be a long-shot as the Padres have already offered Giles a multi-year deal.

No matter which way the Rays and manager Joe Maddon decide to turn, one thing is for certain, Iwamura’s signing means that the music has started and not everybody will find a chair when Spring Training ends.

[THE HANGOVER] Toby Hall, Minor League Talent, Major League Mouth

We can rule out any possible return of Toby Hall to the Rays. Buried at the bottom of the Iwamura article is the news that Hall has been offered a minor league contract by the Rays. Hall scoffed at the idea and was quoted as saying “That was funny…I guess it would be a minor-league contract because they’re a minor-league team.” Of course in 85 games with his Major League team last season, Hall could only manage to crack the starting lineup 13 times, and then he was non-tendered. So does that make Toby Hall a minor leaguer? We promise not laugh too hard when Hall ends up signing a minor league deal with another ball club.

Devil Rays Webtopia

• One day after the Pink Hats That Are The Boston Red Sox reached an agreement with their Japanese League acquisition, it now appears that a deal between the Rays and Akinori Iwamura is imminent. On a side note, we are getting tired of looking up how to spell his name. We are desperate for a nickname for this kid. Kino? Wamu? While a deal for Iwamura answered one question, it actually raises more questions for the Rays roster. Most likely Iwamura will be the opening day third baseman for the D-Rays. That leaves B. J. Upton without a position, and likely back in Durham at the beginning of the season. However, the Rays continue to dabble in the trade market and this signing increases the chance that somebody is going to be traded. The most rumored player to be on the move is Rocco Baldelli. If Rocco were traded, Upton would likely be shifted to center field. However at this point all comers have balked at the Rays asking price. If Rocco is not moved, the Rays may decide to just trade Upton. While still considered a great prospect, the Rays would receive less than full value for Upton due to his uninspiring play at the major league level and the growing questions about his ability to ever field a position, any position. Finally, the Rays could decide to deal Jorge Cantu, or move him to first base. Moving Cantu would allow Iwamura to be the everyday second baseman and Upton would remain at third base for the time being.
• Yesterday was the non-tender deadline, in which arbitration eligible players were required to receive a contract offer from their ballclubs. Players not receiving a contract offer immediately became free agents. The Rays non-tendered Damon Hollins. The move frees up a second spot on the 40-man roster. One of those spots will be filled by Akinori Iwamura, and the second needs to be filled by a utility infielder.
• In addition to Damon Hollins, the non-tender list of major league players is a who’s who of former Devil Rays. Toby Hall, Mark Hendrickson, Victor Zambrano and Jorge Sosa were all awarded free agency yesterday by their respective clubs.
• Dropping Victor Zambrano was just the final barb for the Mets since they traded Scott Kazmir to the Rays. In 35 starts for the Mets, The Human Walkman, Zambrano, was 10-14 and spent most of his time on the DL. At one point it appeared that Zambrano’s career may be over, but now it appears that he is healthy and ready to pitch again. If Zambrano signed with the Rays and found even a modicum of success in the bullpen, Met’s fans everywhere may need white jackets.
• Another player granted free agency was second baseman Marcus Giles. The Rays are one of three clubs that are rumored to be interested in the former Atlanta Brave. Signing Giles seems unlikely, as it would require both B. J. Upton and Jorge Cantu to change positions and/or be traded.
• The odds of the Rays winning the 2007 World Series? 100:1. Only the Washington Nationals are a longer shot at 150:1. Quite frankly we think that the number is missing a couple of zeros.

Devil Rays Webtopia-Rays Reject Scott Olsen For Rocco Baldelli

• According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinal, the Marlins were willing to part with Scott Olsen and some lesser prospects for Rocco Baldelli. It had originally been thought that the Rays were seeking Olsen and had been offered Ricky Nolasco. Now it appears that the Rays may actually have been asking been asking for both Olsen and Nolasco. The article states that talks fell apart when the Rays asked for two members of the Marlins starting rotation. This comes after news that the Rays rejected an offer of Ricky Nolasco for B. J. Upton. Now, Peter Gammons is reporting that the Marlins and the Red Sox may be close to a deal that would send center fielder David Murphy to Miami for a pitcher.
• After talks with the Marlins fell apart, the Rays then turned their attention to the Atlanta Braves. It had been rumored that the Rays were holding out for lefty Chuck James but that the Braves were only willing to part with Kyle Davies. Now the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that the Braves may in fact have offered Kyle Davies and shortstop Yunel Escobar, whom the Rays apparently covet as possibly their future starting shortstop (what about Reid Brignac?). The Braves may also be trying to sweeten the deal with catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who was considered untouchable last off-season. The Rays who already have a young talented catcher, may be willing to take Salty in hopes of turning around and trading him for more pitching. Still, it appears that this trade is at an impasse as the Rays continue to insist on Chuck James.
• Nothing new in this St. Pete Times article about Akinori Iwamura. The Rays and Iwamura’s agent still appear to be far apart in dollars and length of contract. The deadline is midnight, Friday to strike a deal. Iwamura’s agent is saying that his client is willing to return to Japan, which is the only leverage that the player has. It still seems likely that a deal will get done. These sort of deals never get done before the deadline. The only leverage the player has is time and it is in the agent’s best interest to wait as long as possible. In addition, the Rays failure to land any other significant free agents so far this off-season, means the team may be willing to offer a little more to Iwamura.
• Today is the deadline to offer new contracts to players that are arbitration eligible. Any players that are not offered new contracts will become non-tendered free agents at midnight. Last season the Rays picked up Ty Wiggington as a non-tendered free agent. The St. Pete Times offers a list of players that may become free agents. The list includes former Rays Mark Henderickson and Toby Hall.

Rocco Baldelli Is Still A Devil Ray…For Now

The hottest trade rumor in baseball? Rocco Baldelli to anybody with a need for an outfielder and a surplus of young pitching. When the free agency market entered the land of One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest territory, beginning with the $136 million committed by the Cubbies to Alfonso Soriano, Rocco became a rare and attractive asset. With a deal that will see the Northsiders paying a 38 year old “speedster” with a low OBP, $18 million in 2014, Baldelli’s value was suddenly much higher.

It is no secret that the Rays have an abundance of talented outfielders, realized or projected, in the organization. In theory the three outfield spots could be set for years to come with Carl Crawford, Rocco Baldelli and Delmon Young. Still there are others in the organization that have the talent, on paper and in scouts eyes, to fill those shoes, including Elijah Dukes, Joel Guzman and B. J. Upton. In the case of Upton, his move to the outfield may be necessitated because the Rays are having a hard time finding an 10-foot tall first baseman.

Still there are three ingredients for a championship-caliber team. Pitching, Pitching and Pitching. Unfortunately, the Rays are lacking in major-league ready talent in that department. There are pitchers in the organization, but much of it is at lower levels, such as Wade Davis, Jacob McGee, Mitch Talbot, Andrew Sonnanstine and Jeremy Hellickson. If the Rays are serious about improving the ball club, they need to acquire more talented arms that are either major-league caliber or close to being ready for the big time.

The logical move is to trade one or more of the outfielders in exchange for pitching. During last season, rumors were rampant that Carl Crawford could be moved, yet nothing ever developed and C. C. is still a Ray. Now the hot topic of the hot stove league is Rocco Baldelli. Since the onset of free agency, the value of Crawford and Baldelli have skyrocketed. While not untouchable, Crawford is most likely too expensive for other teams to swallow. That leaves Baldelli as the big piece that is being dangled by the Rays. While several teams are rumored to be interested, no deals appear to be imminent. At this point the Rays appear to be sticking to their demands that top-notch young major league pitching talent be included in any deal that involves Rocco.

around the web…

• While talks with the Marlins now appear to be non-existent, the latest team to be rumored to be interested in Rocco Baldelli is the Rays’ northern neighbors, the Atlanta Braves. The Braves have an opening in left field and center fielder Andruw Jones is set to becomes a free agent after the 2007 season.
• MLB Trade Rumors indicates that the Braves are just one of several teams that are after Baldelli. The other teams include the White Sox and the Orioles.
• The Atlanta Journal-Constitution indicates that the players possibly being offered by the Braves are catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, shortstop Yunel Escobar, and Kyle Davies. The Rays may be holding out for pitcher Chuck James. Saltalamacchia and Escobar are considered the Braves top two prospects. The article also states that if the Rays continue to insist on James, the deal will not get done.
• Inside Pitch also make it clear that any deal will not include Chuck James.
• In this Roger Mooney’s article, filled with one sentence paragraphs, he suggests that not trading Rocco Baldelli could stunt the growth of the organization.
• Buried at the bottom of this article is a note that the Rays rejected an offer from the Marlins of starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco for B. J. Upton. Nolasco is considered the least talented of the five young starting pitchers in the Marlins rotation.
• Here is an in depth look at Josh Hamilton’s tenure as a Chicago Cub. And judging by the title of the website, it appears that they want the Lou Piniella era to last just as long.
• The Korean Herald believes that the Rays are the perfect situation for Hee-Seop Choi. With the first base position unsettled, Choi will be given an opportunity to final realize the potential that many believed he had when he was younger. However, their rather blunt appraisal says that Choi either put up this season or come back to Korea. In particular, Choi needs to drastically improve his bat speed and knowledge of the strike zone. Two things that will be difficult to adjust at this stage of his career.

Is Carl Crawford Still Available?

On December 7, DevilRays.com ran an article entitled “Baldelli continues to draw interest; Crawford will stay put.” This article led many to assume that Carl Crawford was no longer available to other teams in a potential trade. Across Devil Rays message boards, many were even attributing this as a direct quote to Andrew Friedman. In fact, Crawford’s name does not even appear in the article, even though his picture does. The title of the article has since been changed to “Baldelli continues to draw interest”, removing any mention of Crawford even though his picture continues to appear on the webpage. The original title can still be seen here in the right column, under “More Headlines.” The article can now be seen with the new, amended title here.

This leads to the inevitable question…Why was the original title changed? Was the title simply changed once it was realized that Crawford was not even mentioned in the article? Was the original title written by an editor that did not read the article closely? Was there mention of Crawford in an earlier version, prior to being published on the website, that included direct references to Crawford? If so, what were those references and why were they edited out? Or…Did the Devil Rays front office request that the title be changed? If the latter were true, it would suggest to us that Crawford is still available to other teams, and the Rays did not want egg on their face if C. C. does in fact get traded at some point this off-season.

It is highly unlikely that Crawford is considered an untouchable now as the original title suggested. While he may be expensive, in terms of talent, every player has a price. While the team may prefer to trade other players (Rocco Baldelli, B. J. Upton or Elijah Dukes), if a team were to approach the Rays with two young major league starting pitchers with all-star potential (think Scott Olsen and Josh Johnson), Andrew Friedman would be forced to listen. There have been several teams that have inquired about Baldelli, yet nothing appears to be imminent. It may be that the Rays will be unable to acquire the player(s) they desire with Rocco and Friedman may have to re-visit the idea of trading Carl Crawford.

Josh Hamilton Selected By Cubs in Rule 5 Draft

update (11:17 am): The Cubs have traded Hamilton to the Cincinnati Reds.

Details at this point are sketchy, but The St. Pete Times is reporting that the Cubs have selected Josh Hamilton in the Rule 5 draft this morning. The Times indicates that the Cubs selected Hamilton in the major league portion of the draft. If true, Hamilton must be on the Cubs major league roster all season or be returned to the Devil Rays after Spring Training.

A former first overall pick, Hamilton is far from being ready for a major league roster and it would surprise us if a team trying to get to the playoffs would waste a bench spot all season on a player that is unlikely to contribute. This may just be a $50,000 shot in the dark for the Cubbies. If recent signings are indication, the Cubs are not going to lose any sleep over $50,000. If Hamilton works out, great..if not, no big deal to them.

We have now confirmed this with Baseball America.

Here are some snippets from an interview with Josh Hamilton.

Hamilton said he was up early to go hunting this morning but had a text message on his phone alerting him that something may be up. He said he wasn’t upset or surprised to be made available.

“I hadn’t been out there the last three years,” said Hamilton, who served two years on a Major League Baseball-imposed drug-related suspension but played briefly at short-season Hudson Valley this season, going 13-for-50. His season there ended early due to a left knee injury, and Hamilton said the knee feels fine, though he said the best indication was when he dragged a deer out of the woods after a successful recent hunt.

“I think (a change of scenery) could help,” Hamilton said. “I’ll be a little nervous because it’s a new group of guys to get to know . . . “

The best tidbit from Hamilton’s interview came when he was asked about jumping from A-ball to the major leagues: “I’m not really concerned. Baseball has never been the problem . . . I’ve been working out, and I can guarantee I will be in the best shape of my life when spring training comes.”

Everything else has been. Here’s hoping Hamilton takes advantage of his opportunity and finally gives us all a look at his prodigious talent.

The Rays had the first pick of the draft and selected Ryan Goleski from the Indians, and immediately traded the pick to the A’s for $100,000. Hamilton was the third pick of the draft.

The Red Sox selected Rays pitcher Nick Debarr with the 20th pick.

Trade Talks With Marlins Appear Dead

Florida Marlins GM Larry Beinfest, has indicated that the Marlins are close to acquiring an outfielder. That outfielder will most likely not be Rocco Baldelli or B. J. Upton. Beinfest says the impending deal developed with a new trading partner within the last 36 hours. The Marlins and Rays have been discussing a potential trade for several weeks now. The talks appeared to have hit an impasse when the Rays asked for Scott Olsen, and the Marlins have stated their desire to keep their young rotation intact.

Rule 5 Draft To Be Held Tomorrow

The Rule 5 draft is scheduled to occur tomorrow during the winter meetings in Orlando. Any player that has three years of minor league experience (four years if drafted at before age 18) and is not not on their major league team’s 40-man roster is available for the rule 5 draft. Any player that is taken in the Rule 5 draft must be on his new team’s 25-man major league roster for the entire season or be offered back to their original team. A team that drafts a player in the Rule 5 draft must pay the former team $50,000.

The folks over at Scout.com have come up with a list of the top players that are available in this year’s draft. There are no D-Rays on the list even though there are a couple of notable Rays that are eligible for the draft, including Josh Hamilton, Jason Pridie (who was selected by the Twins last season), John Jaso and Kevin Cash. Unless Hamilton was promoted to AAA Durham, and there is no indication that he has, a team could also draft Hamilton with the AAA portion of the Rule 5 draft. In that case, they would only have to keep Josh at AAA for the entire 2007 season and pay the Rays $12,000. Catcher Jaso, who has battled injuries, could also be taken in the AAA portion of the draft.

Of the players available in the draft, several could be on the radar of the Rays front office. In addition to the numerous pitchers, two first basemen stand out on the list. The first is former Cuban defector Michel Abreu. Abreu has only one year of minor league experience in which he split the season between single-A and double-A in the Mets organization. In 111 games at AA Binghampton, Abreu hit .332 with 17 home runs. Abreu is 27 years old and 6’3″ 230. He could be the position player on the list that is closest to being major league ready and just happens to play a position that the Rays need to fill.

Another possibility is 26 year old first baseman Nate Gold of the Rangers organization. The former NCAA home run champion had a strong 2006 campaign, hitting .292 with 34 home runs and 103 RBI in AA.

Devil Rays Webtopia

• This article indicates that the Marlins and Rays are far apart on any deal that would include Rocco Baldelli.
• At first it was humorous, but now we are tired of all the The Devil Rays talked to Barry Bonds agent stories. It would never happen, but it is Andrew Friedman’s job to explore all possibilities. Would Bonds help the Rays offensively? Yes. Would he put fannies in the seats and cause a buzz? Yes. Will he ever sign with the Rays? No. Unless no other team made him an offer, which at one point a couple of weeks ago seemed like a possibility.
• Despite earlier reports that a deal between the Rays and third baseman Akinori Iwamura was imminent, it now appears that the two sides are far apart. It appears that Iwamura is seeking something closer to $5 million per season and the Rays have offered about half that much. In addition, the Rays would like to lock up Iwamura for 5 or 6 six years while the Japanese star desires a 3-year deal. The shorter deal would allow Iwamura to test the free agent market sooner. The Rays have until December 15 to negotiate a deal.
• In a related note, manager Joe Maddon spoke openly at the winter meetings about the Rays 2007 opening day roster and lineup. There were two interesting revelations. The first is that Jonny Gomes and Greg Norton will compete for time at DH. Even more interesting is that if the team does indeed sign Akinori Iwamura, Maddon would like to see him at third base, Ben Zobrist at short stop and Jorge Cantu at second. That leaves no position for B. J. Upton. The Rays would not have Upton coming off the bench. Therefore, either the Rays would send Upton back to Durham for even more seasoning, or Maddon expects Upton to be traded.
• In the same article, Maddon indicates that he does not expect Shinji Mori to be ready for Spring Training, and he refused to name Seth McClung as the team’s closer.
• That point may become moot as the Rays have made an offer to free agent closer Octavio Dotel. Dotel, once one of the dominant relievers in baseball, had Tommy John surgery in 2005 and returned to limited action last season with the Yankees.
• Another possibility at closer is Russ Springer. The Rays have apparently also exchanged numbers with the former Astro who does not have experience as a closer, but would be reunited with the new Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey.
• All the excitement of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, and the labor peace until 2011 that will result, has worn off. The new CBA has effectively taken the small-market teams out of the free agent market. The top free agents will just continue to bounce among the big market teams.
  
• It must have felt like Christmas yesterday for former D-Ray Julio Lugo as all his wishes came true. He was signed by the Red Sox to play shortstop and he will make $9 million annually for 4 years. That was the amount that he sought from the Rays in their last minute attempt to sign him before the trading deadline. The Rays apparently offered considerably less and made the deal to send Lugo to the Dodgers. Several teams were also pursuing Lugo to apparently play other positions.