The Hangover: Has Rocco Baldelli Played His Last Game As A Devil Ray?

White Sox 5, Devil Rays 4.
Ahhh…the nostalgia. For a brief momen there it was like we were watching pre-All-Star break Edwin Jackson, all over again. We should thank Edwin for reminding us that he is still Edwin Jackson and we are still Devil Rays fans.

It should come as no surprise, but look for Akinori Iwamura to be the starting second baseman in 2008. The move for Aki, likely means that center field is going to be the permanent home for BJ Upton, with Evan Longoria manning the hot corner sooner rather than later.

“Longoria is going to be the third baseman, so you eventually have to do something, but now’s not the time, not yet,” manager Joe Maddon said. “You’re always thinking about that, but yeah, that’s an offseason discussion…He’s (Iwamura) a little more of a middle infielder on the corner right now,” Maddon said. “Just from what I’m seeing, the assumption is second base. When you make assumptions like that, that’s something you’d want to see. You look at his arm strength and that’s probably more applicable to second base, although his athleticism and range could play at shortstop.”

If Iwamura is moved to second base with either Longoria as the starting third baseman on opening day or Joel Guzman as a place-holder until Longoria is ready, that leaves only one position without a starter for 2008…Shortstop. Brendan Harris? He can hit, but his range may be too limited to be an everyday shortstop on a team that needs an upgrade in their middle infield defense. Josh Wilson? Not likely. Below average in all aspects. BJ Upton? O god no! Please don’t put us through that again. He throws from the left side of the infield like he is trying to give every fan behind the first base dugout a souvenir. Joel Guzman? Hard to say if he can be an everyday short stop. He has the arm and glove for the position, but does he have the range and can he hit major league pitching on a consistent basis?

No, the smart move is a veteran shortstop with an above average glove and a dependable bat. There is enough offense in the lineup already to carry a little dead weight at short. Omar Vizquel? He will be 41. Can he be enticed to play short for the Rays for two seasons and anchor a young team defensively? Look for the Rays to at least inquire as to how much it would cost.

On a more immediate note, the move of Iwamura to second base, will likely occur during spring training and could mean the end of Rocco Baldelli’s tenure as a Devil Ray. Five of the Rays six minor league affiliates will have completed their regular season schedules by Monday, with Hudson Valley playing until Friday. With Rocco shut down after experiencing soreness in his legs, there will be no place to conduct a rehab assignment once he is cleared. Unless Upton is moved back to the infield, with shortstop being a possibility, Baldelli is likely without a position for 2008.

The team will likely try to move Baldelli this off-season for pitching help, but if they are unable to find suitable value, he could return in 2008 as a part-time DH and fourth outfielder with the aim being to increase his trade value.

All of the sudden, Baldelli’s long term contract, once seen as a bargain, is not such a bargain after all. He will still be relatively cheap in 2008, as he is set to earn $2.25 million, but his $6 million tag in ’09 to go along with the hefty $4 million buyout could be a burden if Rocco cannot remain healthy for an entire season.

2B shift in the works for Iwamura [tampabay.com]

DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA…

• For those keeping score at home, the Devil Rays elimination number is 3 in the division and 10 in the wild card.
• We missed this in our first post this morning, but Troy Johnson of the Ledger-Enquirer had a one-on-one with David Price after a recent bullpen session with the Columbus Catfish. [Ledger-Enquirer]

“It’s just getting to know the guys and Tampa Bay’s system. They say they have the same system from rookie ball all the way up to the big leagues. That’s definitely one of their main (points of) emphasis, just to get used to their system because that’s the way I’m going to be doing it for the next six years. It’s nothing bone-crushing. It’s something you can stick to.”

• It is understatement to say that strikeouts are aplenty during Rays games. Both the hitters and the pitchers are on pace to set franchise records for strikeouts in a season, with the hitters threatening the AL record. [TBO]
• We are not surprised anytime Joe Maddon praises something that does not deserved to be praised, but to praise the “progress” of the infield defense is a bit absurd as it has been shown in several different forums that the Rays have been atrocious defensively this season. In fact The Hardball Times suggests that the Rays defense may be the worst ever. E.V.E.R. [devilrays.com]
• Is Jason Hammel the next Edwin Jackson? Or the next Seth McClung? so far, he has yet to perform up to his talent, but he is working on his mechanics to try and rediscover the success he experienced in the minors. [devilrays.com]
• Scott Kazmir se
  t a team record for reaching 10 wins in three consecutive seasons. [Herald-Tribune]
• Carlos Pena is only the 5th player in the last 25 years to hit 30 home runs after being a non-roster invitee to spring training. [tampabay.com]
• Look for the Rays to sign Carlos Pena to a multi-year deal and avoid arbitration in the off-season. [tampabay.com]

[THE HANGOVER] Curt Schilling Just Wants You To Talk About Him

Boston 8, Devil Rays 6.
Rays fans are abuzz after Curt Schilling announced during a radio interview in Boston that he would consider playing for the Devil Rays after his contract expires at the end of the year.

“It’s one of those situations you’d certainly have to look at. Knowing that I’m probably going to spend one more year playing, if circumstances happen and things happen and they made some moves that were positive, I’d love nothing more than to finish my career working on a pitching staff where I know that there are young guys that are going to be positively impacted by me being around [after] I was gone. I enjoy that. I love working and talking and being around young pitchers.”

If there is one thing Schilling loves, it is attention and headlines. This looks like nothing more than another attempt to say something so far out that writers will have no choice but to write about it and fans will have no choice but to talk about it.

It obviously made big headlines in Boston as well as in the Tampa area. But the story was also picked up in places like Atlanta as well as making the “notes” section of many other papers across the country.

The other angle that cannot be ignored here is that Schilling is a free agent after this season and he is probably looking to increase the number of bidders for his services. His first choice is probably to remain with the Red Sox, and Schill may be bluffing interests in other teams to increase the offer from Theo Epstein.

Still, we doubt the Devil Rays are the longest shot at acquiring Schilling’s services. We would still give them better odds than half of the teams in Japan.

Curt Answer [tampabay.com]
Schilling’s comments devilish [boston.com]
Schilling exclaims his love for Devil Rays [AJC.com]

DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA…

• Scott Kazmir is frustrated by being pulled with lower pitch counts in the second half. In his last ten starts, he has topped 100 pitches only six times. [Devil Rays]

“It just frustrates me,” Kazmir said. “It’s kind of in my head. You come to the late innings and you always have to look at the pitch count. It’s something where you just don’t need it. You’ve got enough stuff going on; you don’t need to be looking at the pitch count.”

• Fernando Cabrera, who turned down a waiver claim by the Devil Rays, signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. [Baltimore Sun]
• Seth McClung was called up to the majors by the Milwaukee Brewers after winning the PCL pitcher of the week award. In his first appearance, he nearly blew a 3-run 9th inning lead, allowing two runs before being pulled. Seth being Seth. [WFRV]
• Could the last two months of the regular season be Joel Guzman’s last chance to become an impact player? Minor League Beat thinks it might be. Reality is, Guzman only seems like he has been a prospect forever…well, because he has been. He was signed by the Dodgers when he was 16. But he is still only 22, and he has something you cannot teach…size. He is 6 foot-friggin-6-inches tall. The dud is huge and wings a mean stick. If he fails with the Rays, somebody else will certainly give him a shot. Carlos Pena anyone? [Minor League Beat]

Did We Miss Something? Devil Rays Make Series Of Moves

We are still not back from our self-imposed exile in the sunshine state, so the regular posts will not return until tomorrow, but in the meantime, we heard some rumors that Andrew Friedman may have made a move or two this weekend to improve the Rays relief corps. We have reviewed the wires and consulted our abacus, and this was the final count…

Ty Wigginton traded to Astros for Dan Wheeler [Devil Rays]
In the biggest move from the weekend, Ty Wigginton was sent to the Astros for reliever Dan Wheeler, who will begin his second stint with the Rays after being a Rays a draft pick in 1996. Wheeler has struggled this year with a 5.07 ERA, but being reunited with his former pitching coach Jim Hickey may reignite the pitcher that posted strong numbers as a setup man the past two seasons.

If the Rays decide to move Al Reyes, Wheeler would conceivably step into the closers role and could fill the same capacity in 2008. The one drawback to the trade is that Wheeler is a free agent after the 2008 season. However, seeing the current value of relief pitchers in the trade deadline market, Andrew Friedman may already be looking at Wheeler as a commodity that would be sought after in July of next year. If Wheeler can rebound in the next 12 months and flourish in either a setup or a closer’s role, he could demand additional pieces that are missing from the Rays puzzle.

Seth McClung traded to the Brewers [Devil Rays]
Has anybody else noticed the irony the in the Devil Rays acquiring a relief pitcher with the name “Bal-four”? Seriously, there is no way this can end well. The enigma enema that is Seth McClung, the big red-headed right hander with a power fastball and an inability to throw it anywhere near the strikezone in crucial situations was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for relief pitcher Grant Balfour.

Balfour, an Australian (we thought they only played Australian rules football?), played parts of three seasons with the Minnesota Twins, before getting a cup-of-coffee this year with the Brewers. He is mostly a journeyman right-hander that may eat innings in middle relief. He posted impressive numbers at AAA this season with 47 strikeouts and only 11 walks and 17 hits in 32 innings. He had a 1.69 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP. At 29, we will have to wait and see if the AAA numbers were an anomaly and he is just a AAAA pitcher or if he has turned the corner can can be an effective big league reliever.

The Brewers were forced to part with Balfour, who was out of Minor League options, because they needed roster space Friday for reliever Scott Linebrink, whom they acquired in a trade with San Diego on Wednesday…”He was a guy I was thinking about counting on for next year,” said Brewers general manager Doug Melvin. “You look at other teams’ bullpens, and that’s the kind of arm that teams get and, all of a sudden, they find it. It clicks.”

Jorge Cantu traded to the Reds [Devil Rays]
And in a move that only surprised us because a team actually gave up a little value, Jorge Cantu was shipped to the Reds for two pitchers and a player-to-be-named-later. Calvin Medlock is a minor league pitcher who dominated at AA but who has struggled in first 13 appearances at AAA. Brian Shackleford has spent parts of each of the last two seasons with the Reds, but is best known for THIS. Maybe the Rays picked him up to mentor Elijah Dukes. The Rays also sent minor leaguer Shaun Cumberland to the Reds to complete the trade. Cumberland is an outfielder with speed, who has struggled this season in his first year above A-ball.

Cantu was not happy being with the Devil Rays any longer, and with limited defensive skills (re: cement feet), and questionable offensive skills (.544 OPS in 2006, .484 OPS in 2007), he no longer had a future with the Rays. The Reds will ship Cantu to AAA and hope they catch lightning in a bottle. In return the Rays received yet another upgrade

Shawn Bleepin’ Camp demoted to the minors [Devil Rays]
This move was so obvious that we were actually surprised when we heard that Shawn Bleepin’ Camp was sent to Durham. We do wonder though who Andrew Friedman has been watching the first 3 months of the season.

Camp is a guy who’s obviously been struggling some recently. When his sinker’s really working, he can help out a major-league bullpen by getting groundballs and he’s extremely effective against right-handed hitters. He’s been in a little bit of a rut lately and we’re hoping that by sending him down and giving him a chance to pitch in Durham that he’ll start pitching a little bit more consistently.[TBO]

Recently? The guy has a 7.20 ERA. He has allowed 6,324 inherited runners to score. HE HAS STRUGGLED ALL FREACKIN’ SEASON. And he is 31, so he is not going to get much better.

Josh Paul activated from DL [Devil Rays]
Josh Paul as on the DL since May 20. Paul replaces Raul Casanova who was designated for assignment and removed from the 40-man roster. The team has 10 days to trade, release or ask waivers for Casanova. Most likely Casanova will not be traded and he will clear waivers and be optioned back to AAA Durham. Joe Maddon stated that Paul will see increased playing time with starting catcher Dioner Navarro continuing to struggle at the plate.

Rays manager Joe Maddon has noted time and again that he thought Paul was playing at a high level when he got injured, and he now plans to play him three to four times a week rather than the normal one or two times a week reserved for most backup catchers.

In additional catcher news, Shawn Riggans had surgery on hi
s elbow. The surgery is likely to be season-ending.

Down On The Farm: Seth McClung Bobblehead Night. Full Of Promise, Certain To Disappoint

Jacksonville 4, Montgomery 0. Derek Feldkamp dropped to 1-5 despite allowing only 3 hits and 1 walk in 6 innings. One fo the hits was a solo home run. The Biscuits managed only 4 hits, 2 by Fernando Perez. Jason Pridie had a triple, his 24th extra base hit of the season.

Vero Beach 2, St. Lucie 1 (gm. 1, 8 inn). Jeff Kamrath, making only his 5th start of the season, struck out 13 in 6.2 innings. He gave up 4 hits and walked 3 and allowed 1 run. Patrick Cottrell had a walk-off infield single in the bottom of the 8th.

Vero Beach 4, St. Lucie 2 (gm 2). Jino Gonzalez made his first start of the season and gave up just 1 run in 4 innings.

Columbus 5, Rome 4. Ryan Royster hit his 10th home run, a 2-run shot in the first and had a double to lead off the top of the 9th. Pinch-runner Desmond Jennings would come around to score on sac fly by Joey Callender. Josh Butler gave up 4 runs (3 earned) in 6.1 innings. In the first 6 innings, Butler was cruising, having only allowed 2 hits and 1 walk and 1 unearned run.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

• The Princeton Rays will begin their season next Thursday. Not quite Cal Ripken, but the Rays have had a promotion or give-away, for every home game since 1991. This year’s games will include 5 bobblehead night for the “Legends of Princeton Baseball” series. Be sure to mark your calendars for Seth McClung bobblehead night.
• Former Biscuit Chris Seddon was claimed off of waivers by the Marlins after being designated for assignment.
• Columbus turned a triple play in the 8th inning. With runners on first and third, a ground ball was hit to second baseman Brett Grandstrand. Grandstrand stepped on second for the force, and threw home to get the runner trying to score. The original batter then tried to advance to second on the throw and was tagged out for your standard 4-2-4 triple play.

The Devil Rays Had This Promotion A Few Times This Year Already

The Devil Rays single-A affiliate, the Vero Beach Devil Rays, will hold the promotion to end all promotions tonight when they host “Awful Night”.

Awful night will contain some of the most awful promotions, music, food, giveaways, and entertainment that you will ever see at a Minor League Baseball game.

The first 500 fans to the park will receive an autographed picture of Groundskeeper Jim. The night will consist of chances to win loads of specialty prizes in the awful raffle. You can visit the various awful display tables that feature awful food tasting, free face painting, caricatures, balloon animals, as well as free haircuts by Shawn the Barber. Fans can also meet and greet Dodgertown work horses Bob and Tom who will be signing autographs throughout the night. After the game, fans can stay for our Awful Fireworks Extravaganza that is sure to light up the sky!

If they really want to have an “Awful Night” there are a few things they should consider adding to the agenda:

• Making Vero Beach using the Tampa Bay Devil Rays middle relievers during the game.
• Make Vince Naimoli honorary team owner and Chuck LaMar the honorary team GM.
• Let BJ Upton play shortstop.
• Use Seth McClung as the starting pitcher.
• Let the Devil Rays heckler be the public address announcer during the game.
  

VB D-Rays To Host ‘Awful Night’ [MILB.com]]

Down On The Farm: Hide The Children…Seth McClung Is Knocking On Rays Door

Durham 11, Pawtucket 3. JP Howell had his best start of the season for the Bulls last night. He struck out 10 in 6 innings with only 2 hits and 1 run. He did walk three and hit a batter. Ruddy Lugo pitched 2 scoreless innings, but walked 3, and Seth McClung pitched yet another scoreless 9th inning. We are starting to get nervous. McClung has only allowed 1 run in his last 10 appearances, covering 16 innings with 21 strikeouts. He has an ERA of 1.54 with 28 Ks in 23.1 innings. We need to accept the realization that we will see Big Red again in Rays uniform and it could be sooner rather than later. Ohhh, the Agida…On a brighter note, the Bulls hit 5 home runs. Wes Bankston hit his 5th and drove in 4. Elliot Johnson hit his 6th and drove in 3. Justin Ruggiano hit his 3rd.

Montgomery 7, Birmingham 4. Chris Seddon gave up 4 runs on 8 hits and 1 walk in 6 innings. He struck out 3. Seddon was cruising through the first 5 innings and then in the top of the 6th he gave up 3 consecutive hits to lead off the inning, capped by a 3-run home run. Evan Longoria returned to the lineup and went 1-4. He is hitting .328. Reid Brignac was 0-3 with 2 walks and is now hitting .267. Brooks Badeaux cleared the bases with a double in the 8th inning that proved to be the game-winner.

Palm Beach 10, Vero Beach 7 (gm 1). The Rays needed a pitcher to start game 1 of the double-header and apparently they needed a pitcher to work a lot of innings and Jeff Kamrath was the sacrificial lamb. Kamrath made just his second start of the year and gave up 9 runs in 7 innings on 13 hits and 4 walks. Erold Andrus was 3-5 with his 2nd home run.

Palm Beach 2, Vero Beach 1 (gm 2). Mike Wlodarczyk struck out 6 in 6 innings with 8 hits and 2 runs allowed.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

• Fernando Perez who went on the DL with a minor knee injury will now have his return delayed another week due to a hip injury suffered during a recent workout.
• Gerry Hunsicker was in Montgomery to most likely see Evan Longoria.
• Columbus was rained out and will play a double-header today. Wade Townsend will come off the DL and pitch game 1.

The Hangover: Opening Day 2007

• It’s Opening Day!
• The Rays will field the youngest 25-man roster in baseball. Today, will mark Rocco Baldelli’s first opening day assignment since 2004. The Rays are actually 5-4 on opening day.
• The Rays and the Yankees have markedly different expectations entering opening day.
• Manny Stiles has posted his Devil Rays preview. He hasn’t been on board long, but he has done his homework.
• The Rays defense should be much improved in 2007.
• Jorge Cantu is threatening to not report to Durham.
• Seth McClung blames his agent, Scott Boras for not informing McClung of the Rays unusual fourth option. The extra option allowed the Rays to demote McClung to Durham.
• No surprise here, but it is now official, Josh Hamilton has made the Reds opening day roster. He still needs to remain on the active roster all season but that will not be a problem for Josh or the Reds.
• Don’t forget to stop by later today for the first ever Devil Rays live game blog. We are now in the heart of the Belly of the Beast. We are in New York City, a stone’s throw from Yankee Stadium. We will be “broadcasting” from the comfort of a couch, a computer, a big TV, and a fridge stocked with beer. We really have no idea what we are doing, but we will give it a shot. We are still trying to figure out this world wide web thing. So whether you are stuck at work or at home, don’t forget to stop by as we will get started around 12:45, and follow along as the Devil Rays take their first step towards .500 and the 2010 World Series! We will also keep an eye on the Reds-Cubs game as Josh Hamilton will be making his major league debut.
  

The Hangover: Chad Orvella Never Had A Chance To Make Team

• Jae Seo came back down to earth a bit allowing 5 runs in the first inning of his final spring tune up. The Rays lost to the Reds 5-4. BJ Upton had 3 hits and 2 stolen bases.
• That the Rays decided to send Seth McClung down to Durham doesn’t surprise us (25 base runners in 9.1 innings this spring), but Chad Orvella’s demotion has us shaking our heads. One day after the team released Dan Miceli based in large part on his performance, why in the world was Orvella sent down? 13 base runners in 10.1 innings is not bad, but 0.87 ERA is pretty darn good. Granted we were not there to see Orvella pitch everyday but the numbers indicate he did just about everything that was asked of him.
• The seven members of the bullpen are now set, but they better not get too comfortable. In reality, there are about 12 members of the bullpen and JetBlue may want to schedule regular flights between Tampa and Durham.
• Carlos Pena will decide in the next couple of days whether to accept a demotion to the minors or declare himself a free agent.
• An interview with Joe Maddon. Nothing too revealing except Papa Joe states that he loves competing in the AL East and wouldn’t want to be in another division.
• HERE is a geographical argument for having the Rays and Nationals switch divisions.

The Hangover: Cantu Or Gomes For Final Spot

• Two big notes from yesterday’s 3-3 tie with the Pink Sox. Edwin Jackson worked six innings and yielded only a single walk while striking out 5. Jackson has only had one start this spring in which his control betrayed him. If this keeps up, Jackson could be in for a big season. The second item is that B. J. Upton started at second and Jorge Cantu was the DH. We touched on this yesterday, but it is now looking more and more as if Upton’s role as super-utility may actually turn into a regular gig at second base, while Cantu and Jonny Gomes are now battling for the DH spot,with the loser being sent to Durham.
• The final two spots in the pen will come down to Chad Orvella, Juan Salas, Seth McClung, and Jae Kuk Ryu. McClung has given up 25 baserunners in less than 10 IP this spring so he is a long shot at this point. With Brian Stokes and Gary Glover likely to make the team, there doesn’t appear to be a need for another long reliever, so Ryu is probably out. Ryu gave up two home runs yesterday. Orvella has been lights out this spring (o.87 ERA) and seems like a lock. Salas has also been strong.
• All three of the Rays walking wounded saw action yesterday. Of the three, Rocco Baldelli, Dioner Navarro and Josh Paul, only Paul sounded confident that he would be ready for opening day.
• Not Rays related, but Kenny Rogers was placed on the DL yesterday with a tired arm. Wouldn’t it be great if this worked in real life. Boss, I need to take 2 weeks off, with pay, because I have a tired head. Thanks.
• Manny Stiles makes a long-winded case for the greatness of Delmon Young.
• We have no idea how good Carl Crawford can be, but it sure is going to be fun finding out.
• On Tuesday against the Jays, Carl Crawford forgot his jersey, so he was forced to wear #98. Apparently #98 was not as lucky as his usual #13. He went 0-3.
• Lou Piniella is not the only former Rays manager in Chi-town. Remember Larry Rothschild? Seems forever ago.

The Hangover: The Devil Rays Only Love It When It Rains

• Another loss. Want a good reason to hate the Trop? Based on the Spring results so far (1 win came during rain-shortened game) and the inept bullpen, the Rays will go 162-0 if every game were to be shortened due to rain. Maybe they can force a leak in the roof?
• Of all the bad signs so far, this one may be the most disturbing. Akinori Iwamura asked to be removed from the game yesterday after his first at bat because he was too tired from playing five straight games.
• The proverbial axe has fallen on the first set of healthy players (Injured pitchers Shinji Mori and Doug Waechter were reassigned last week). In all 10 players were reassigned with the most prominent names being Jeff Niemann and Mitch Talbot who were optioned to Durham and Evan Longoria, Reid Brignac and Andy Sonnanstine who were assigned to minor league camp. No surprises here as none of this players have seen any playing time above AA.
• We cringe whenever we see a story about the Rays in one of the New York City tabloids. They tend to be full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. Today, the New York Daily News lives up to the rep with a rather scathing article about the Rays which comes off as a very uninformed piece by a writer that does not know what he is talking about. For example, the writer suggests that Rays should have invested in a starting pitcher such as Steve Trachsel or John Thomson. Trachsel is 36 and has lost more than 15 games in a season as many times (1) as he has won more than 15 games in a season. Thomson won two games has won a combined 6 games the past two seasons. Those are not upgrades. Those are free agent signings for the sake of signing free agents.
• Joe Maddon doesn’t feel the pressure to have a left hander in the ‘pen. Sorry Jeff Ridgway your stock just took a big hit.
• Raise your hand if you want a Seth McClung bobblehead doll. Aren’t you listening. I SAID A SETH MCCLUNG BOBBLEHEAD! Don’t be shy…you know you want one. Well, if you do, head on over to Princeton, West Virginia on July 23, for the Princeton Rays Seth McClung bobblehead night.