March 26, 2009

Spring Training Home Stretch – News and Notes

One week from today the AL Champions will in Philadelphia getting ready for a two-game series against their World Series opponent.  The two-game series are the final “spring training” games for both teams.  From Philadelphia the Rays will head north to Boston for a three game series to open the season and then follow up with a three game series in Baltimore before heading home for the home opener on April 13^th.

As told in my last update, one spot remained open in the rotation.  The candidates for the opening were down to Jason Hammel, Jeff Niemann and David Price.  On Wednesday after pre-game workouts the Rays announced that David Price along with four others (IF Reid Brignac, C John Jaso, IF/OF Elliot Johnson and OF Justin Ruggiano) was optioned to Triple-A Durham to start the season, leaving Hammel and Niemann battling it out for the final spot in the rotation.

Hammel and Niemann have had successful springs, but both struggled in recent starts.  Niemann though rebounded on Wednesday night against the Pirates with a good performance allowing one run on five hits with two strikeouts and no walks in four innings.  Niemann lowered his ERA to 6.32 (down from 7.71).   Hammel had problems in his last start against Pittsburgh (Monday) as he walked five and gave up four runs on six hits in four innings of work. 

Price meanwhile had an outstanding spring, despite just appearing in three games (one start).  In eight plus innings, Price struck out 10, walked 6 and pitched to a 1.08 ERA with a 2-0 record.  In his only start last Sunday which came against the Yankees, Price tossed four scoreless innings and allowed just three hits, with a couple of walks and four strikeouts.

“We have obviously spent a lot of time talking about this,” said Andrew Friedman, Ray’s executive vice president of baseball operations.  “When we came into camp, we came in with an open mind, knowing full well that there were certain developmental issues that we wanted him to focus on and also the workload.  And just the increase and how we’re going to monitor that.”

“We had a lot of conversations about ways to get creative.  And went through it for the last two or three weeks at length and ultimately decided that - all things considered - that this was the right move for David and in turn the organization.”

According to Friedman, Price’s workload can be better monitored during the early part of the season at Durham rather than in the Major Leagues. He stressed that the Rays want Price to be ready and able for use in the latter part of the season.

“As we've demonstrated in the past, we’re very dogmatic when it comes to our young pitchers and building them up,” Friedman said. “And we were in a different position in ‘06 and ‘07, when we could shut guys down near the end of seasons and not have it present a problem.”

“But we’re in a different situation now. We have expectations and hopes of playing in October, and we feel like we’ll be a better team with David as a part of that and also continuing to work on the developmental things we've laid out as well.”

Price nodded when asked if he understood the Rays’ reasoning.

“Yeah, it’s a business,” Price said. “They have to look out for their best interest. If I was the owner of the team, I would be doing the same thing.”

Throughout training camp most of the talk focused on the final starters spot and the health issues of closer Troy Percival, B.J. Upton and Carlos Pena, all who had off-season surgery. 

The first concern was whether or not Troy Percival would be able to pitch at all during training camp since he had undergone back surgery in December.  From day one of training camp, the Rays’ were very careful with Percival’s workouts and made sure that he was well aware the team would be taking things very slow with him.  So far so good, as Percival has come through with flying colors.  Although he’s made just five appearances so far, he hasn’t allowed a run in five innings pitched.

Carlos Pena had undergone surgery in January to repair abdominal tears that first occurred at Tropicana Field in August. “It never worsened, but it never improved and I knew by season’s end surgery would likely be necessary,” said Pena.  Like Percival, the Rays’ worked slowly with Pena, easing him back into full-time workouts and spring games. 

Pena made his debut on March 4^th against the Pirates and didn’t miss a beat hitting two doubles and driving in three runs in the 8-5 win.  Offensively he’s off to a slow start, but remains solid on defense.

Despite making excellent progress following his shoulder surgery, it was unlikely that B.J. Upton would be with the team during their season-opening road trip.  The chances now for a trip north are mute as a bone-bruise sustained in last Saturday’s minor league game will certainly send Upton for a trip to the DL.

Upton had just started playing in minor league games when he was hit by pitch.  Joe Maddon said they do not want to rush the healing process and it wasn’t certain if he would even be active by the home opening on April 13^th.

With Upton out Justin Ruggiano looked to be one of the leading candidates to win the fifth outfield spot, but that came to a sudden screeching halt on Wednesday when Ruggiano was informed he was optioned to Durham.    

Andrew Friedman explained that playing time for Ruggiano was going to be tougher to get with the Rays for the rest of Spring Training, so he would be able to stay sharper playing for Durham.

“For us, he’s at a point where he’s able to go out and play nine innings,” Friedman said.  “We’ve built him up.  And it’s going to be hard to do here on a consistent basis.  If B.J. starts the year on the DL, we could still recall him.  We still have options of which way we want to go.”

"So, the biggest thing for him is to go down and play nine innings and get regular at-bats.  He was very impressive this spring and did everything that we asked of him.  And we didn’t send him out today for any other reason than to go out and play every day.  He may replace B.J. if B.J. starts on the DL, and he may not.  And we still have that flexibility.”

You always here managers say “You never have enough pitching” and in the case of the Rays’ that saying can’t be said.  While Joe Maddon has a tough decision in naming his fifth starter, the same decisions will hold true for the bullpen.

The bullpen is laden with so much depth it’s almost impossible to say what two relievers in camp will head north to round out the bullpen crew. 

Already known is that Chad Bradford will start the season on the DL and is out at least 3-months.  The Rays’ could choose to put him on the 60-day DL, rather than the 15-day which would then open up a spot on the 40-man roster.  There is also a chance that Fernando Perez will be headed to the 60-day DL, thus opening yet another 40-man roster spot.  More on Perez later…

When Joe Nelson, Brian Shouse and Lance Cormier were all signed, they were added to the 40-man roster – the question though is if any have options remaining.  Isringhausen was signed to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training so if he makes the team he would need to be added to the 40-man roster. 

If the team broke camp today, I would have to say that Nelson and Shouse will join Balfour, Howell, Wheeler, Percival and Hammel or Niemann in the bullpen.  Jason Isringhausen and Lance Cormier could be the odd-men out, though both could be added to the 40-man roster.

As for Fernando Perez, the wrist injury sustained is worse than originally thought and his return has been pushed back from three months to four or five after undergoing arthroscopic surgery this past Saturday.

Perez had been diagnosed with a dislocated left wrist after catching his glove on the ground diving for a line drive.  He was sent by the Rays to see Dr. Donald Sheridan in Arizona for a second opinion and it was discovered that there was additional ligament damage on the underside of the wrist.  Surgery was necessary as pins were needed to help the injury heal properly.

“The good news is we caught it now,” Friedman said. “Had we not, it could have been something that plagued him for the rest of his career.  The fact we caught it now and went in and put some pins in to the wrist, it’s going to push back the timetable probably two months.  The doctor has full confidence that the wrist will heal well now that we’ve done this and it won’t be a lingering problem for him.”

Rays Stingers

The Rays returned Rule 5 Draft pick Derek Rodriguez back to the White Sox on Monday, ending Rodriguez’s short tenure with Tampa Bay.

The Rays selected Rodriguez from the White Sox organization with the 19^th pick of the Rule 5 Draft during the 2008 Winter Meetings.

Rodriguez, 25, went 0-0 with a 7.50 ERA in five spring appearances for the Rays.  In 2008, he combined to go 5-2 with a 3.29 ERA and one save in 49 appearances while pitching for Double-Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte.  Unfortunately for Rodriguez, Tampa Bay’s bullpen depth made the chances of the right-hander earning a spot on the team remote.

Pitcher Eduardo Morlan was returned to the Rays by the Brewers, who took him in the Rule 5 draft but realized he wasn’t ready for the big leagues.  Morlan, the third player acquired in the November 2007 trade that landed Jason Bartlett and Matt Garza, will report to minor league camp.

Charlotte Sports Park

The Rays on Sunday broke two franchise attendance records in their 5-0 win over the Yankees at Charlotte Sports Park.  The sellout crowd of 7,621 was a record for the facility and pushed the Rays season home attendance mark to 83,274, the most ever for one spring season.  The Rays have sold out six games at Charlotte Sports Park, double their most ever in a single spring…  also Feb. 27 (6,629) and March 8 (7,147) vs. Boston; March 12 vs. Philadelphia (6,927); March 15 vs. Pittsburgh (6,968) and March 19 vs. St. Louis (6,969)... all are record crowds at the facility entering this spring.

I attended the Ray’s pre-season game against the Pirates on Wednesday night and all that I can say about the new facilities is that they’re beautiful.  Everything that you can ask for the Rays’ has attempted to give.  Pictures will be forthcoming.

The Boardwalk

Fans are encouraged to walk around the outfield on the 19,000 square foot Baseball Boardwalk for up-close views of the playing field and bullpens, group seating areas, grill and Tiki bar.

Concession Areas

Six fixed concessions areas located throughout the ballpark feature a variety of food options. Portable concessions carts featuring an additional variety of specialty food items are also located throughout the ballpark. Credit cards are accepted at the fixed concessions stands.

Home Stand Concessions

Featuring standard ballpark fare, two Home Stand Concessions stands are located on the main concourse behind sections 202-203 on the first base side and 217-218 on the third base side.

Hot Corner Grill

Located on the main concourse behind section 214, the Hot Corner Grill offers grilled favorites.

Kids Clubhouse Concessions

Kid-friendly food options are available at the Kids Clubhouse Concessions stand located beside the Kids Clubhouse play area, behind sections 201-202 on the first base side.

Tiki Bar

A full liquor Tiki bar is located in left centerfield on the Baseball Boardwalk. Seating is available to all ticketed fans on a first come, first served basis.

Boardwalk Grill

Unique grilled concessions can be found adjacent to the Tiki Bar in left centerfield.

Rays Add New Club Seating Area to Tropicana Field

This season the Rays will introduce a new seating area at Tropicana Field known as Club 105. The team has converted section 105, previously a drink rail space into an area with 70 padded seats.  Beer, wine, soda, peanuts, popcorn and pretzels are included in the price of the ticket.  The tickets for Club 105 are priced at $90 for regular games, $105 for marquee games and $130 for prime games.  Tickets are on sale and can be purchased on-line at raysbaseball.com or via phone at 888-FAN-RAYS.  As a result of this new section and several other smaller adjustments, the official capacity for Tropicana Field will increase to 36,973.

Rays Among Nominees Chosen for the 2009 Professional Sports Team of the Year Award

The Rays, along with the Boston Celtics, Chicago Blackhawks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Brewers have been selected as nominees in the Professional Sports Team of the Year category for the 2009 Sports Business Awards presented by Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal and Sports Business Daily.  The Sports Business Awards recognize excellence and outstanding achievement in the business of sports for 2008.  Professional sports teams in the major and minor leagues, in leagues whose central offices are located in North America were eligible.

Rays in Camp

The Rays began camp with 63 players and after the five cuts on they’re down to 37.  The players remaining:

Pitchers (15):  Grant Balfour, Chad Bradford*, Lance Cormier, Matt Garza, Jason Hammel, J.P. Howell, Jason Isringhausen**, Scott Kazmir, Joe Nelson, Jeff Niemann, Troy Percival, James Shields, Brian Shouse, Andy Sonnanstine and Dan Wheeler

Catchers (3): Michael Hernandez**, Dioner Navarro, Shawn Riggans

Infielders (12): Willy Aybar, Jason Bartlett, Morgan Ensberg**, Akinori Iwamura, Adam Kennedy**, Evan Longoria, Ray Olmedo**, Carlos Pena, Chris Richard**, and Ben Zobrist

Outfielders (10): Pat Burrell, Carl Crawford, Gabe Gross, Matt Joyce, Gabe Kapler, Fernando Perez*, Ray Sadler**, B.J. Upton and Jon Weber**

**Non-Roster Invitee; *Disabled

March 17, 2009

Rotation Narrowed Down

With one month of Spring Training completed, the Rays’ have narrowed down the 5^th spot in the rotation to David Price, Jason Hammel and Jeff Niemann.  Questions though still remain concerning their bullpen and the outfield (center and right) situation.

The top four spots in the rotation are set – James Shields gets the nod as the Opening Say starter and will be followed by Scott Kazmir, Matt Garza and Andy Sonnanstine.   

David Price is just about everyone’s favorite for the final spot (including myself) but there is much speculation that Price will open the season in Triple-A Durham.  The Rays’ want Price to refine his changeup and also limit his innings… “We want him to be very successful right out of the chute, without any hesitation or backward movements,” manager Joe Maddon said. “We don’t want him going back and forth between here and Triple A. When he gets here, we want him to stay here for a very long time. That’s why we want everything to be as perfect as possible.”

This essentially leaves Jason Hammel and Jeff Niemann as the frontrunners for the last spot.  Hammel and Niemann are both out of options, which means they’d need to pass through waivers in order to be sent back to the minors… something that the Rays’ will not do under any circumstances because of their valuable assets.

Both Hammel and Niemann have been starters throughout the majority of their professional careers.  Last year Hammel opened the season in the starting rotation, making five starts (2-2) as Scott Kazmir was on the DL.  Once Kazmir returned, Hammel joined the bullpen making 35 appearances.  Niemann appeared in five games for the Rays’ making two starts (1-1) with three relief appearances and is having an outstanding spring.

Regardless whether it’s Hammel or Niemann, the odd-man out will be headed to the bullpen – that is unless a trade occurs.  The bullpen meanwhile is strong with Dan Wheeler, J.P. Howell, Brian Shouse, Grant Balfour, Hammel or Niemann and Joe Nelson to set-up the penciled in closer Troy Percival.   

Outfield wise, the loss of Fernando Perez for 3-months with a dislocated wrist put a kink in the outfield alignment.  Perez was benchmarked to replace B.J. Upton at least for the opening week while the Rays were on the road.  Although Upton continues to make progress from his off-season left shoulder surgery, it’s looking more and more like Upton will be placed on the DL to start the season.

As with any long-term injury there becomes an opportunity and Justin Ruggiano gets it – this time around.  Ruggiano is likely to make the opening day roster and will share time in right with Ben Zobrist and possibly Matt Joyce.  Matt Joyce, acquired in the Edwin Jackson trade is recovering from right leg tendinitis which had sidelined him all spring.  Joyce said he felt great after his first spring game in a minor league exhibition Tuesday with Durham against Fort Myers.

Joyce is slated to play the outfield on Wednesday in a minor league game and if all goes well he could get some at-bats with the Rays’ on Thursday when they play the Cardinals.

Upton faced live batting practice for the first time on Sunday… “It felt good seeing the spins in the rotation on different pitches and things like that,” said Upton.  But as far as speeding up his rehab, Upton said he’s under no pressure to do such.

On Monday, the Rays’ reduced their spring training roster to 44 when they sent LHPs Carlos Hernandez, and Jake McGee (recovering from Tommy John surgery), RHPs Mitch Talbot, Wade Davis, Jason Childers, Dale Thayer, Winston Abreu, Julio DePaula and Dewon Day.  Joining the pitchers were SS Tim Beckham, INF Chris Nowak and C Matt Spring.

Hernandez and Talbot were two of the candidates for the fifth starter’s spot.  Hernandez said he was disappointed, but encouraged by how he felt and looks forward to getting back to the majors for the first time since 2004.

Davis, Talbot and Thayer were optioned to Triple-A Durham, McGee was optioned to the minors with no team specified. Beckham appears to be headed to the Rays’ new Class-A affiliate in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  All the other players were reassigned to minor-league camp.

After the Ray’s game on Monday night against Pittsburgh, LHP Randy Choate was reassigned to minor league camp.  The Rays’ now have 43 players in camp which includes Chad Bradford and Fernando Perez – both of whom will be out for 3-4 months.

Non-Roster Invitees

The group of non-roster invitees grew as the Rays’ added a few known veterans to the mix of things as Jason Isringhausen, Adam Kennedy and Morgan Ensberg were signed to minor league contracts. 

In 10 Major League seasons with the Angels and Cardinals, Kennedy has a .276 career average with 57 home runs and 423 RBIs.  In addition, while playing for the Angels he was the 2002 American League Championship Series MVP after hitting .357 with three home runs and five RBIs against the Twins.  The Angels went on to defeat the Giants in the World Series.

Isringhausen went 1-5 with a 5.70 ERA and 12 saves with the Cardinals in 2008.  He underwent his second hip surgery in two years after the 2006 season and came back strong in ‘07.  In 63 games, he posted a 4-0 record with a 2.48 ERA and 32 saves while walking only 28, striking out 54 and giving up just four home runs. Last season, Isringhausen experienced lingering right elbow tendinitis along with a torn tendon, and he appeared headed for retirement.

Ensberg was named to the National League All-Star team at the last minute in 2005, replacing the injured Scott Rolen.  Ensberg had a career year in 2005, batting .283 while hitting 36 home runs and compiling a career high 101 RBI.  After disappointing seasons for the Astros in 2006 and 2007, the team designated Ensberg for assignment on July 29, 2007, ending Ensberg’s six year tenure with the club.

Rays on Deck

Spring Training Stats