[HOT STOVE RUMORS] The Rays Are Not Talking To The A’s About Joe Blanton

This is what we hate about baseball’s new “Hot Stove League”…

By now most of you have heard about the Rays supposed interest in Oakland’s Joe Blanton.

First let’s go back to the original source. Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports had a video report in which he talks about the possibility of the A’s trading Blanton.

From the report:

At least two teams are showing significant interest in Blanton, one of which figures to be the Reds…The Twins, desperate for a veteran starting pitcher, could be one possibility for Blanton. The Rays, deep in prospects, could be another.

It was just a guess. Pure speculation. Never mind that there are about 20 reasons not to make this trade.

Seems like a non-story right? Apparently not. We get 800 words from Rays Anatomy, and we get not one, but two posts from DRays Bay, including 750 words from RJ Anderson.

In Anderson’s defense, he actually takes the stance that the trade would be a bad idea (he is right), but both RA and DRB write their pieces as if the Rays are indeed talking to the A’s about a trade, despite a lack of evidence to suggest this is true.

from Rays Anatomy:

Having made one move for Matt Garza earlier this off-season, general manager Andrew Friedman is once again in the mix for another possible arm to add to the starting staff.

from DRays Bay:

I’m not going to divulge into the price for him, because like everyone outside of the Oakland and Tampa offices I simply have no clue what it is or will be.

Anderson does refer to the talks as “Joe Blanton rumors”, but the only reason it is a “rumor” in the first place is because these sites misrepresented the words of one person. Besides, does a rumor that has zero merit require 750 words? For comparison, most Rays columns in the Tampa Tribune and the St. Pete Times run between 500-600 words, and those are rarely based on the whimsical guessing of a FoxSports.com writer.

This is not meant as a referendum on either of these two sites. If a writer thinks trading for Blanton is a good idea or a bad idea, they should tell us that and why. But there is no need to present this as something that may actually happen when there is zero evidence that it actually could.

This is something that is not restricted to blogs. In fact journalists are also guilty, more so because of their wider audiences. Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote an article in which he speculated that the Rays would trade Scott Kazmir this off-season. His source? “An executive familiar with Tampa’s thinking”. For all we know, he talked to the VP of a Starbucks. Next thing we knew the rumor was everywhere, that the Rays were seeking to trade Kazmir.

In today’s baseball landscape, everybody loves a good rumor. But many are not careful as to how they handle those rumors, turning something as simple as one person’s “guess” into a full-fledged trade negotiation between two teams.

We understand it is a slow news week, but we owe it to Rays fans to report the happenings in the Raysiverse accurately and fairly. A typical fan that reads these sites should not have to take the time to read the original source. They should be able to read articles like these and know that the “rumor” was never so. Otherwise, we have to deal with a dozen emails asking us what we think about Blanton, which makes us write 600 words on why the rumors are toilet, when we would rather be talking about how hot Ben Zobrists’ wife is.

By the way…the second team that Rosenthal was trying to guess? It was the Dodgers.

Why Trade For Joe Blanton? [Rays Anatomy]
Rays Interested In Blanton? [DRays Bay]
A Game of Large, Grotesque Shadows [DRays Bay]
Scott-Stove League [New York Post]
Blanton May Be Traded [MLB Trade Rumors]

[BLOGGING IS NOT JOURNALISM] Please Do Not Accuse Us Of Trying To Be Journalists

Yesterday Big Daddy Drew at Deadspin addressed the subject of Blogging as Journalism. It is an excellent read and I highly recommend for anybody that spends time reading blogs, to take five minutes and read it. It is my feeling that this debate is at the core of much of the criticism that has been leveled at this site, both in the comments and in emails.

Some feel that at times I can be overly critical of newspaper columnists and websites that cover the Rays. What people need to realize is that Rays Index is just a chronicle of what is going on in the Raysiverse mixed with my occasional editorialization. Some of those thoughts have been molded by talking with others before I write, but make no mistake, the words on this page are mine and mine alone. One person’s opinion. If you disagree with me, I must ask why you hate freedom. Or maybe I am wrong. That is what the comments section is for, and I promise those comments are never censored.

I am not a journalist, nor am I trying to be a journalist or pretending to be a journalist. It should be obvious that there is a clear distinction between the writings at this site and the work that is done at The Tampa Tribune or The St. Pete Times. And while it may not be as obvious, many of the same distinctions are what separates this site from another Rays “blog”, DRays Bay.

Many of the criticisms directed at this site are for the way I have treated writers at DRays Bay. Sports blogs come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. Unlike most blogs, including this one, Drays Bay is trying to be a journalistic entity and some of the writers at Drays Bay aspire to be professional sports writers. One has even written a book on the Rays. They try to give you breaking news. They do interviews. They present everything to you in real time, whether it be important or not. They have 284 different writers and 10,000 different things you can click on their front page. They are the Yahoo! of Rays websites.

At RI, I don’t often write until I have had a chance to discuss the topic, think the topic through, feel out multiple sides to the topic. It gives me a chance to offer a well-thought out evaluation of what has happened, what has been said, and what has been written…and maybe insert a poop joke or two. And quite frankly a lot of the topics don’t need much discussion, so they go in the “Devil Rays Webtopia” the next morning. But if something is written that is idiotic, silly or just plain wrong, I will voice my opinion and make sure that Rays fans are made aware as to why I feel the other piece is crap. It does not matter whether the original piece was presented by the Tribune, the Times, DRays Bay or Martha’s Beanie Baby Blog.

From Big Daddy Drew’s post on Deadspin…

The problem is that many journalists, and in turn many readers, have a deeply held belief that the printed word (on paper or electronically) holds more weight than the spoken word. That it is somehow sacrosanct. But that’s not true on blogs, or on message boards, or on text messages. In these new forms of media, the written word is just as disposable and frivolous as a conversation between me and you (and talking with me is like taking a dip in an empty kiddie pool). And it’s foolish to assume otherwise. Most sports blogs are run by fans, and serve mainly as an online extension of the friendly banter we all engage in about sports on a daily basis. It’s not journalism. It’s a blog. It’s its own thing, and the two needn’t be confused.

I have no aspirations to be a journalist, so I am not worried about offending anybody. I don’t care if the team gets upset with something I write, because I am not seeking interviews. I don’t care if I insult Marc Lancaster or Marc Topkin, because I am not trying to get a job with the Tribune or the Times. That allows me to truly speak to you as one fan would speak to another. You may not agree with my evaluation, but it is mine…uncensored.

I would like to think that this gives RI a level of objectivity that you will not find elsewhere. Unlike journalists, or those that aspire to be journalists, we are not beholden to the hands that feed us. We feed ourselves.

As for Rays of Light? They are a blog like us…minus the asshole and the 8th grade humor…Wait…Never mind.

The Super Bowl Bye Week Jamboroo, In Which Drew Pauses To Make A Serious Point About Blogging As Journalism, Then Makes Chili [Deadspin]

[THE HANGOVER] Michael Barrett Is No Longer A Free Agent

Tampa Bay Rays (66-96)
The Rays are in the market for a veteran catcher to backup or split time with Dioner Navarro. One possible target that was mentioned in numerous circles is Michael Barrett of the Padres, a free agent. At the end of last week, Barrett decided to accept arbitration from the Padres and is now no longer a free agent. However, this does not necessarily mean that Barrett will not be on the Rays roster in 2008. In fact, this might have improved the chances.

For those not familiar with the process, the top free agents at each position are given a label of either a “Type A” or “Type B” free agent. If a team signs one of these free agents, they must forfeit either a first or second round pick in the next amateur draft. The top 15 picks are protected, so in the case of the Rays they would forfeit a second round pick in either case. In order for the former team to receive this compensation draft pick, they have to offer the free agent the option of arbitration. Of course, the risk to the team is that they are forced to keep a player they no longer want.

Barrett was a Type A free agent and losing a top draft pick may have been hurting his stance among potential suitors in the free agent market. Therefore, Barrett accepted the arbitration offer from the Padres. He now remains their property for one year. Most likely, the Padres will now trade Barrett, and the cost could be less than the second-round pick the Rays would have originally needed to give up. If a team trades for Barrett’s rights, they will have to go to arbitration or negotiate a long-term deal.

Last week we speculated that surrendering a second-round pick, was too high a price for a back-up catcher, and that in the end the Rays would pass on Barrett. The Rays recent second round picks have included Will Kline, Josh Butler, Chris Mason, Reid Brignac and James Houser. Now that the cost of Barrett will likely be a mid-level prospect, the chances of the Rays signing him may have improved. On the other hand, the number of teams that would be interested in Barrett may have gone up, especially from teams that would have had to originally surrender a first-round selection for the catcher.

Barrett accepts arbitration with the Padres [MLB]
The Professor’s Take On “Jake’s Take On The Winter Meetings” [Rays Index]

DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA…

• DRays Bay has landed an interview with the Rays’ Vice President of Branding and Fan Experience. We would tell you the guy’s name, but we already forgot. So, if you ever cared about who’s came up with the idea for the “Rays Tank” in center field, or why the concession stands sell Yankees and Red Sox ice cream cups (they don’t anymore) then click the link. [DRays Bay]
• The City of St. Petersburg has set a deadline of May 1 to pick a contractor for the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site. [Florida Times-Union]
• In one recent “Power Rankings”, the Rays were no longer the only worst team in the league. In fact they are tied with the other 29 teams for 30th. [Bugs & Cranks]
• A sarcastic look at the new stadium proposed by the Tampa Bay Rays. [St. Pete Times]

One complaint has been that the team should be named “St. Petersburg Rays” instead of “Tampa Bay Rays”. This is a short-sighted viewpoint indeed. Most people associate St. Petersburg with a city in Russia that is very cold and undesirable in the winter. Why not be creative — St. Petersburg is the city of the Rays and it should be renamed Tampa Bay Rays City. I’m sure the Rays owners would agree to this.

• Evan Meek, formerly of the Rays, was not shy about showing his excitement about be drafted last week in the Rule 5 Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. [Post-Gazette]

[RAYS MEDIA] Why The Devil Rays Columnists Suck: Marc Topkin

Yesterday RJ Anderson of DRays Bay reported that a source informed him of a trade that would send Boof Bonser to the Rays was close to being made.

I have from a reliable source that Boof Bonser has told people close to him that a deal with him heading to Tampa is imminent.

Later in the day, Marc Topkin dismissed the report as just another internet rumor.

One [trade possibility] that made its way into Internet rumors that [the Tampa Bay Rays] are not discussing involves Minnesota pitcher Boof Bonser, a Gibbs High product.

There is only one small problem…Anderson’s source? It was Boof Bonser.

Boof Bonser is in the area for a golf tournament and while speaking to a group of people, he mentioned that the Twins were close to completing a deal that would have him pitching for the Rays in 2008. Among the group of people that Bonser was speaking with, was JP Peterson of WFLA. Somebody from Peterson’s radio show contacted Anderson to relay the quotes from Bonser. The potential trade was then reported on DRays Bay and also apparently on the radio show Hot Lunch with JP Peterson (we heard about the latter from more than one of our own sources, but have yet to actually hear a tape of the show).

We assume that Topkin then contacted his sources within the Rays organization to verify or refute the trade talks. We are forced to assume this because Topkin does not tell us why he believes the trade rumor is not true. His source is most likely from within the organization and may in fact have been Andrew Friedman, as Topkin’s claim comes at the end of an article with several quotes from Friedman.

It is not surprising that a major league general manager would deny the veracity of a trade rumor. It is surprising that an experienced journalist, or anybody with a heartbeat, would assume that the general manager was telling him/her the truth. Marc Topkin took what the Rays said as being truthful and then smugly dismissed Anderson’s report as just another internet rumor, as if he just pulled it out of his own ass.

Trade rumors are a common topic among baseball blogs. Most often it is simply relaying something that was reported elsewhere and sometimes a blogger will speculate on trade matchups. Is it possible that RJ Anderson or his source made up the quotes attributed to Bonser? We have no reason to think he would make them up. No more reason than we ever think that Marc Topkin makes up his reports.

At least Anderson reported that he had a source. Topkin dismissed the rumor without even telling us if he had a source or if it was own speculation. And in doing so, came off as an elitist that thinks bloggers just sit around in their parents basements making shit up. We have read a lot of these so-called “internet rumors”. 90% are probably not true. 99.9% of those rumors were started by professional reporters like Marc Topkin.

Does anybody have the phone number for Marc Topkin’s parents basement? We have a rumor for him.

[Ed. note: Marc Lancaster of TBO is also reporting that it is his “understanding that there’s nothing to” the Bonser trade rumor. Like Topkin, Lancaster does not tell us if he checked with his sources or if he is just speculating. At least he did not dismiss it as just another rumor that is floating around the internet.]

Boof coming to Tampa? [Drays Bay]
Friedman: The time is now [tampabay.com]

The Hangover: DRays Bay Still Committed To Tampa Bay Rays Despite New Colors

Devil Rays (66-96)
Our questions have been answered!

DRaysBay will be changing their colors to match those of the new Tampa Bay Rays uniforms and logos that will debut next season. They will also be changing their logo (Please make it a sunburst!). Patrick Kennedy sounds like a kid losing his woobie when he talks of trying to refer to the team by their new moniker.

I will try and respect the team’s decision and refer to the team as the ‘Rays’ as much as I possibly can, although having grown up a fan of the Devil Rays and having written about the team online for 33 months, that will be admittedly difficult.

But one thing will not change at DRaysBay…

we are all committed to wanting the Devil Rays to become a championship organization as soon as possible.

Thats right folks. DRaysBay writers are “committed to wanting” the Rays to be good. We are not sure what “committed to wanting” means, but we envision all the writers at DraysBay already have “Tampa Bay Devil Rays: World Champions” tattooed on their asses. Now that is “commitment to wanting”.

DRaysBay to Change as the Team Does [DRaysBay]

DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA…

• On the last day of the season, Jim Hickey, passed Randy Johnson, and took home the “Most White Trash Story of the Year” Award. [Drunk Jays Fans]
• The Hardball Times takes a close look at Scott Kazmir and try to answer questions concerning where his career is headed. One has to wonder if Derek Carty was the right choice to write this piece. Can a Mets fan truly analyze Kid K from an unbiased viewpoint? [The Hardball Times]
• When Jake McGee and Wade Davis go out to dinner, do they go to the bathroom together? Once again the two pitching prospects are found attached at the hip. This time it is on Baseball America’s list of the top 20 prospects in the Florida State League. McGee and Davis are #3 and #4 respectively. [Baseball America]
• Joe Henderson believes that the Rays may regret the decision to not extend the contract of Bill Evers. We don’t like the idea of losing a guy like Evers will all his experience and old-school style, but a bench coach needs to be a consigliere…His confidant. Apparently Joe Maddon and Bill Evers did not have this type of relationship and bench coach is the one assistant that the manager needs to be completely comfortable with. [TBO]

Carlos Pena Is Having A Great Year, But…

We mentioned this a while back but we need to mention it again that Carlos Pena is the Devil Rays nominee for The Hank Aaron Award.

We have made our feelings about the award clear in the past. In short the award is severely flawed and was created as a sponsorship cash-cow for Major League Baseball, in effect tainting the name of one of the all-time greats.

So why are we mentioning Carlos Pena’s nomination for a second time? Because for some reason DRays Bay seems to think that Pena should win the award.

really there’s no reason Carlos shouldn’t win.

We have no problem supporting a member of the Devil Rays. In fact, we think all Rays fans should go vote for Pena to show our support and appreciation. But to say that there is “no reason” he shouldn’t win reeks of homerism unseen since the last time we listened to Hawk Harrelson on a White Sox home broadcast. The award is supposed to be given to “the best overall offensive performer in each league”. In essence, it is supposed to be the hitters version of the Cy Young Award.

Pena is having a great season and we don’t want to diminish what he has accomplished. He is hitting .275 with a club record 35 home runs and 98 RBI to go with a .996 OPS. But El Gato should not win The Hank Aaron Award.

5 Reason’s Carlos Pena should not win…

1. Alex Rodriguez (.310-46-131, 1.054 OPS)
2. Alex Rodriguez
3. Alex Rodriguez
4. Alex Rodriguez
5. Alex Rodriguez

3 Other reasons Pena should not win…

1. Maglio Ordonez (.354-26-120, 1.016 OPS)
2. Vladimir Guerrero (.326-22-110, .952 OPS)
3. Justin Morneau (.282-29-99, .865 OPS)

Congratulations go out to Carlos Pena on having a great year. One could make an argument for Comeback Player of The Year (although we are unsure if one decent season in the past is a mark of having already “been there”) but Pena is not the top hitter in the AL this season.

The Hank Aaron Award [MLB]
The Hank Aaron Award Has No Legitimacy And Needs To Be Fixed [Rays Index]
Vote for Pena [DRays Bay]

The Folks At DRays Bay Think Devil Rays Fans Are Morons [UPDATE]

When the news broke that Curt Schilling would be willing to play for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2008, RJ Anderson of DRays Bay, wrote a one-line post.

I am Nostradamus!

We are not sure if he predicted that Schilling would be OK with playing with the Rays or maybe he predicted Hitler would invade Poland. Either way, Mr. Anderson was not content with his new lofty status of being able to predict that Schilling would make another outlandish statement.

Mr. Anderson followed that up with a second post yesterday titled “Tampa Fans Are Morons: 256th Edition“. We could not find the previous 255 editions, but apparently Mr. Anderson, on 256 different occasions has come up with reasons why you (and we) are “morons”.

So what was the 256th reason? Apparently if you, like us, doubt that Curt Schilling is going to pitch for the Rays in 2008, you are a moron. Or maybe you just think it is a bad idea to give a 41-year old pitcher that is 7-5 this season, a $10+ million contract for one season. Be careful. That makes you a moron.

Checking out Topkin’s Schilling piece and I decided to check out the comments; expecting some slobbering Red Sox goobers saying how the Rays can’t afford him and so on. Instead I’ve come to reassure that a percent of Tampa fans are bloody morons:

That’s right folks. A Devil Rays FanSite thinks that Devil Rays fans are morons. A blog written by Devil Rays fans, just insulted Devil Rays fans.

But he doesn’t stop there. Not satisfied with just insulting Devil Rays fans, Mr. Anderson goes on to insult every person that lives in the Tampa-St. Pete area.

Is it the water or something? If you live here for a certain time your brain turns to mush?

No he didn’t! Oh yes. Yes he did. Apparently Mr. Anderson is now saying that living in the Tampa area turns your brain “to mush”. Nothing like alienating your demographic.

Then again Mr. Anderson is the same gentleman that told us last year that Rocco Baldelli is not injury-prone.

And we are the morons?

[UPDATE]
RJ Anderson has responded to this post HERE.

Let me address a few of his comments/concerns…

we also know he knew that we were joking about the whole “seeing the future” joke, but this did not stop Mr. Gaines.

This is his first comment and I honestly have no idea what he is talking about. Anybody?

it makes you a moron when you say something like “NOOOOOO!” then turn around and bitch about the DRO not spending money,

The guy that said “NOOOOOOO!” did not bitch about the DRO not spending money as far as I can tell. If he did, show me. and even then, would it be so strange to think think that money needs to be spent AND have an opinion on where it should and should not be spent?

“That’s why you gotta love this site, it honestly has a nice collection of some of the most intelligent Rays fans around, even in disagreement it’s never stupid reasoning or lacking presentation.”

I did not touch this statement in my original post even though this is one of the most offensive. Mr. Anderson is implying that only readers of DRays Bay are intelligent. Everybody else must therefore be a moron.

Oh nice one Corky, bringing up a year and two injuries ago, that’s the way to prove a point, nicely done. Also as I’ve stated in the past guys like “Jason from Tampa” who called in and said trade Price; those are bloody morons, I will not apologize for that take. I have nothing against Gaines, but I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw Joe Aiello in the comments add this:

Like I mentioned last year. There were 64 injuries before that. And yes, saying “trade Price” is moronic, but that was not one of your examples. And if somebody did say that, it does not imply that “Tampa Fans Are Morons” as Mr. Anderson so elequently stated.

Schilling Wants To Be A Devil Ray? [DRays Bay]
Tampa Fans Are Morons: 256th Edition [DRays Bay]
Some Schilling Love [tampabay.com]
The Hangover: Curt Schilling Just Want You To Talk About Him [Rays Index]
Why The Hate For Rocco? [DRaysBay]