Rosenthal - Rays want switch-hitting RF/CF

by GiantsFanInExile on Mar 14, 2008 10:35 AM PDT Comment 36 comments

The Rays ideally want to replace Rocco Baldelli with a switch-hitter who could provide strong late-inning defense in right field and back up B.J. Upton in center. The Angels' Reggie Willits fits that description, but is said to be unavailable. Free agent Kenny Lofton and the Brewers' Gabe Gross are among the left-handed hitting possibilities. The Blue Jays' Reed Johnson, a right-handed hitter, also might fit, but many clubs view him as an injury risk. The Mets like Johnson, but would prefer an outfielder with more power.

Does anyone else read the above paragraph and think "Randy Winn?"

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I'm not sure the Rays will want to take on Winn's salary when they could conceivably sign someone like Kenny Lofton for a 1-year deal. Even if Lofton can't switch-hit, I'd pick him up way before trying to trade for anyone. He's still amazingly productive as a platoon player, even if he shouldn't play CF much anymore.

I can't believe nobody has picked him up yet.

http://www.baycityball.com

by xanthan on Mar 14, 2008 10:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

There are a lot of players out there who I'm surprised haven't been signed yet. Lofton, Weaver, Lohse (until yesterday)... it's a bit odd.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Mar 14, 2008 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lofton is very surprising

Weaver isn't really. 2 out of the last 3 years, he has pitched basically like a bad 5th starter era wise.

Yeah, his peripherals are not as bad as his actual ERAs, but they are not enticing either: FIPS in the 5s, a flyball pitcher with mediocre K rates.

And he was not exactly great in the 2 seasons prior to the last 3 seasons either. In the last 5 years, he has 3 awful years in which he has pitched like a bad 5th starter, with ERA+s in the 70s, one average year, and one slightly above average year.

He can no longer even provide "guaranteed" mediocrity, ie ERA+ in low 90s to mid 90s, which has some value.

It really is not surprising that most teams would rather give some young players chances than give Weaver millions

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Mar 14, 2008 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, yeah, I just figured that in past years a guy like Weaver would have been signed, despite his suckitude. Maybe all the execs are just getting smarter.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Mar 14, 2008 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Randy'd be perfect for what they're looking for, except in terms of salary.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Mar 14, 2008 10:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd trade Randy..

Plus some salary relief so they're only paying say 50% of his salary a year if they send back a real prospect.

Coming to you from the Land of Many Beers

by WalrusMan on Mar 14, 2008 10:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I'd take even 75%. Real prospect + playing time for Nate/Lewis is definitely worth it.

You deserve to be struck out, when your first name's a verb.

by Cookyman on Mar 14, 2008 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Winn

Not only does he make too much, but they're liable to be on his list of teams that he can't be traded to. Even though the Rays should be much improved this year, they'll probably finish as far behind the contenders as the Giants will. If he's going to be on a team 20 games out, he might as well stay home.

Randy Messenger: Client Number 10 "Glad they stopped at nine!!"

by rxmeister on Mar 14, 2008 10:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

I find it really hard to believe he'd allow going *back* to Tampa after his stint there.

And Boom Goes the Dynamite

by Andy from DC on Mar 14, 2008 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I do think the Devil Rays are going to be significantly better than the Giants this year, though.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Mar 14, 2008 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

heresy!

And Boom Goes the Dynamite

by Andy from DC on Mar 14, 2008 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But still true. I'm hearing people predict a winning season for the Rays this year. In the AL East, that would count as significantly better.

by Skaldheim on Mar 14, 2008 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Rays are stacked. Tons of young pitching to go with a lot of young hitting and their minor league system is still probably #1 in the game.

http://www.baycityball.com

by xanthan on Mar 14, 2008 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Definitely

Their system is still number 1 by a long shot. The difference between them and the 2nd best farm system is probably the same as the difference between #2 and #10-15. Obviously, such a measurement is completely imaginary, but I think my point still makes sense.

by marcello on Mar 14, 2008 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe but...

i thought his NTC was basically limited to the ALC and NLC teams.

"ever so cynical yet whimsical giants related signature"

by The Gene Hackman on Mar 14, 2008 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's what Randy's brother told me. Also, Randy lives near Tampa in the off-season. I could see him going back to the D-Rays.

by SF Pete on Mar 14, 2008 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Winn would be perfect

Eat Winn's whole salary and we could get Brignac & Iwamura.

Bonds stands alone.

by nostocksjustbonds on Mar 14, 2008 10:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Now we're talking!! We can even throw in a mid-level prospect.

Adopted Giant Brian Wilson: Your 2008 closer.

by sfgreg on Mar 14, 2008 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

and maybe Upton and Longoria. I am not trying to be a dick I just think we are getting a little overly enthusiastic. Remember this is Randy Winn we are talking about. I would be pleased to death with just one of those guys.

Light hitting CFs are the new black.

by camwoody on Mar 14, 2008 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oops. I meant Zobrist, not Brignac

The Rays would obviously not do that deal I originally mentioned.

Bonds stands alone.

by nostocksjustbonds on Mar 14, 2008 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Think we can successfully transition Iwamura to CF though?

And Boom Goes the Dynamite

by Andy from DC on Mar 14, 2008 11:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Dave Roberts?

He's fast. He's swaggerlicious.

Remember? He was that guy who stole 2nd for the Sox and won them the series. He would be a fantastic addition to your club. You know, because, all your fans are over 50 yrs old.

Giant Expectations

by UnleashTheGore on Mar 14, 2008 11:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Randy Winn is one of the few things right with this organization. He would not bring back the level of prospects the Giants need, so trading him in this situation would be pointless.

Better to DFA Roberts to give the young guys their chance. Or, trade him to Boston Fans for a peak at their recent trophies.

Proud supporter of the Fightin' Hydrants.

by Little Napoleon on Mar 14, 2008 12:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I have always loved the idea of getting Ben Zobrist
Randy + whoever for Ben Zobrist
this gives Zobrist a year to learn under one of the greatest defensive shortstops of all time in his last year with the giants, we arent going to compete this year so lets mold a guy who can be great for us starting in 09
but Zobrist is 27 as opposed to randy winn being in his mid 30s makes too much sense in this trade for Sabean to pull the trigger

"But if he's swinging at real flies, well, in that case there are two definite solutions: 1) Fresno 2) Ritalin." - howtheyscored

by CPGiant756 on Mar 14, 2008 2:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Zobrist would be a nice pickup, however he suffered a fracture of the thumb and is going to miss the first few weeks of the season. It sounds like he will be returning about the same time as Omar so that won't help our current situation. He could replace Omar next year, however.

Nice Avatar, going to any of the games this weekend vs. UCLA?

Adopted Giant Brian Wilson: Your 2008 closer.

by sfgreg on Mar 14, 2008 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i go to cal poly and one of my good friends from middle/high school plays SS for UCLA so im goin to all the games this weekend.. should be fun

on the note of the SS, i say we draft brandon crawford next draft.. we would always joke about him eventually playin for the giants, that would be too sweet

by Azmanz on Mar 14, 2008 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're friends with Crawford?

I like that guy a lot. Baseball America has him ranked as the 10th best College player in the Draft.

Brian Anderson: I can has spot in Fresno 'pen?

by Anticon23 on Mar 14, 2008 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's a kickass avatar you've got going there.

Cal Poly....WOOT!

Adoptive papa to Omar...so basically I'm screwed.

by PacBellBoozer on Mar 15, 2008 1:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

hell yeah

I'm a die hard Cal Poly Mustang fan here, I work in the Athletic Department and am at every home game for Cal Poly baseball, crawford looked damn good in the UCLA seris,
I want to point out that Cal Poly worked Tim Murphy who had a .36 era going into the game and a scoreless inning streak of 19 and 1/3 and CP put on i believe 6 or 7 on him, but the giants should get Tim too, that curveball was absolutely RIDICULOUS

"But if he's swinging at real flies, well, in that case there are two definite solutions: 1) Fresno 2) Ritalin." - howtheyscored

by CPGiant756 on Mar 20, 2008 1:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

best part of Cal Poly baseball games before summer is I can spot Krukow at most home games and he is always cool with people coming up and saying hey, I feel as though I must bow each time he is in my presence

"But if he's swinging at real flies, well, in that case there are two definite solutions: 1) Fresno 2) Ritalin." - howtheyscored

by CPGiant756 on Mar 20, 2008 1:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Zobrist

Oh yes, Ben Zobrist. Let's get somebody who makes Omar Vizquel look like ARod. .155 last year. Whoo hoo!! Not only that, but he's now 27. He hasn't made it yet, and he never will. I'll plug in Omar while we wait for Burris or Bocock.

Randy Messenger: Client Number 10 "Glad they stopped at nine!!"

by rxmeister on Mar 14, 2008 4:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Zorbist

I realize that Omar wants a long term deal, but I don't think it would be wise to give him a contract that runs through the end times.

VAE PVTO DEVS FIO

by Bhaakon on Mar 14, 2008 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh Yes!

Let's overreact to a part-time player's very small sample size batting average! Also, let's completely disregard a lifetime .428 OBP in the minors as well as a career .881 OPS from a shortstop who rocketed through the minor leagues in three years.

calm down. also, why wait for Burris or Bocock? They'll probably hit just about the same. Zobrist at least has a chance to be decent, based on past numbers. Burris hit just as poorly as Zobrist did last year. Except Manny did it at San Jose. Burris is nothing more than Luis Rivas with less power. He'll be an absoulte offensive hole in the lineup, unless he somehow figures out how to hit.

I sure wish that Ort Cloud would form a solid sphere to enter into this team's orbit.

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Mar 16, 2008 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Switch hitting RF/CF

Let's just hope Sabean doesn't try to trade FOR Baldelli! Due to his heritage, he was once whispered to be the "next Joe D", but injuries have robbed him of his promise and he is more likely the next Joe C(harboneau).

But seriously, if the Rays want Winn I would take a chance and ask for a package including Joel Guzman. He has seemingly NO place in the Rays' future plans, has a ton of untapped potential, and is still young enough that perhaps some organization will be able to work him through his troubles. And lets just hope that AnVil doesn't follow a similar career path!

by baseballjunkie on Mar 15, 2008 7:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

shout out to Joe C

Joe Charboneau was an idol of mine as a kid--he used to open up beer bottles after games BY USING HIS EYE SOCKET. Where's the youtube video of that one, folks?

I got one word for you: "youneverknow"

by senorvegas on Mar 15, 2008 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yikes

Guzman makes me antsy. He has a lot of ability, but doesn't react very well to anything and doesn't change his strategy at the plate. he's also put on weight and hasn't improved much in the field, relegating him to first or third base. Minor-league OPS of .765 doesn't leave me a whole lot of hope that he's going to be anything special. He seems a lot like Baldelli, in that he has a lot of untapped potential. It's just that Baldelli ruined it the right way, by getting injured in absurd fashion (mitochondrial metabolic abnormality?).

I sure wish that Ort Cloud would form a solid sphere to enter into this team's orbit.

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Mar 16, 2008 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs