Tampa Bay 101

by brotherk_13 on Dec 9, 2010 11:46 PM EST

I've been following the trading season these days, and the most confusing team for me is the Rays. I can't understand why they have traded (are trading) Jason Bartlett and are considering trading Matt Garza. I realize that Bartlett had a bad year last year, and that the Rays have a lot of good pitchers (hence the desire to cash in on Garza) - but these don't seem like good baseball moves. Both are young, and extremely talented. Garza has been a Jays killer - though less so last year. Bartlett went from a 320 batting average to 254 - which is a big drop - but not necessarily a permanent one. Can someone explain the reasoning? I realize they're trying to keep the roster fresh and re-stock - but I'm not sure why you do that with young talent. I don't get it. If I were the Jays, I'd consider Garza in a heartbeat - pending what he'd cost.... What am I missing here???? Is there big talent that is being blocked? Are their big raise forthcoming???

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Well, I only know a bit of what’s happening and apparently, ownership had to reduce payroll so in a way they’re trading these guys away for cheap cost-controlled kids instead since they’re all due for a raise. Bartlett made 5 mil i think in 2010 and woulda made more in arb. They’re gonna give Reid Breignac a shot at his position, a similar Bartlett type player but much cheaper and younger. As for Garza, I’m assuming he’s making around 10m and basically… to sum it up – ownership is cheap and just wants to unload players making too much money

by Qd6 on Dec 10, 2010 12:11 AM EST reply actions

Thanks - I figured it was something like that

It’s a shame if that’s the case, as they’re probably doing it 3 years (or so) earlier than other clubs would.

by brotherk_13 on Dec 10, 2010 12:39 AM EST up reply actions

and

they have Hellickson ready for the show

by bunner on Dec 14, 2010 12:03 PM EST up reply actions

They have six potential aces in their rotation – Price, Shields, Garza, Davis, Hellickson, Niemann; they also have tons of top end starters in their system – Moore, McGee, Cobb, Torres, Colome, etc.

by xhliang on Dec 10, 2010 12:51 AM EST reply actions

Aye, is basically they have the depth

So why not trade for what they need to replace their losses. They have Brignac ready at SS who is good to go and at least Hellickson ready to add to the MLB rotation. Selling Garza would be on a level with the Jays Marcum trade, weakest current starter (in terms of longterm value) for hopefully a needed piece. They have Jennings to cover for Crawfords loss but Pena and most of their bullpen need replacing.

by TtD on Dec 10, 2010 12:58 AM EST reply actions

This is a sad state of affairs

That a team this talented and consistently competitive could be so poorly supported. It’s a shame that they can’t attract fans or make money. Their front office is so good though to have such limited resources and still put together such an amazing team year after year. I’d like to think that if the Jays were in this situation they wouldn’t have to cut costs like this. I know that they are going to get a ton of prospects back for these guys but I’d like to think that when the Jays finally get competitive they can keep these types of players instead of constantly replacing them with prospects.

by T_Mizz on Dec 10, 2010 9:56 AM EST reply actions

and consistently competitive

Only in the last few years. Before that they were brutal and the fans had no hope. Hope is the only thing you can sell as a non-contender (which is why I think the Jays have suffered attendance-wise: despite having decent teams from time to time, there really wasn’t hope). I think it takes some time to build a fan base and if you are really bad you have to start from basically nothing.

Plus Tropicana field doesn’t help because of its poor location.

by siggian on Dec 10, 2010 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

Well it's not like it snuck up

The season is 162 games long, if the Jays won 97 games and made it to the World Series, then just two years later won 96 games and the AL East with an 84 win season in between, then I guarantee that attendance would be spectacular.

by T_Mizz on Dec 10, 2010 5:47 PM EST up reply actions

For me

Trading Bartlett is just good business, I can’t see his value going up. Garza? If they figure they have other starters that are just as good, why not see what he’d bring.

They can’t be making a ton of money so they have to figure out ways to get the most out of what they have.

by Tom Dakers on Dec 10, 2010 10:50 AM EST reply actions

bullpen woes

Losing Benoit, Balfour and Soriano from their bullpen is going to be tough for the Rays as well. Tougher than letting Bartlett go, as Brignac is more than ready to step in

by spud77 on Dec 15, 2010 7:16 AM EST reply actions