Busy Day For The Rays

[love_that_reefer]

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Rays and free agent Troy Percival are working on a deal. He's believed to have offers from contenders, so we can't imagine that Percival would go to Tampa Bay without a promise of the closer's role. That'd make Al Reyes the eighth-inning guy, with Dan Wheeler and Juan Rincon working earlier in games. Only three spots would remain for a token lefty, Gary Glover, Chad Orvella, Grant Balfour, Scott Dohmann and others.

This is coming with the news that they are trading Delmon Young, Brendan Harris, and a prospect for Matt Garza, Juan Rincon and Jason Bartlett. Rays are filling holes and more importantly that are getting pitching. Kazmir, Shields and Garza in the rotation and Reyes, Percival and Rincon in the bullpen is just great to see from the Rays!!

[catman]

I read that it was Eduardo Morlan, not Juan Rincon, but otherwise, the deal is done:
The Official Site of Minnesota Twins: News: Minnesota Twins News
The Rays might just have some pitching that can compete with the "big boys" in the AL East now.

[love_that_reefer]

Yeah they turned down Rincon due to his history of injuries. Morlan is a good prospect so its a better deal.

[love_that_reefer]

Troy Percival is close to signing a multiyear deal with the Rays, ESPN's Buster Olney reports. It'd be no surprise if the Rays got about as much from Percival as the Tigers did when they signed him to a two-year, $12 million contract, but Tampa Bay wants to play with the big boys for once and that means going multiple years in this case. Percival likely will close for the team.

SLOW THE **** DOWN!!! The Rays just pulled a good trade and now they are going to sign a 38 yr old to close games when he hasn't done so in three years?? Be smart about this!! Sign him to a one year deal and make him a set up man and back up plan if Reyes sucks. Give Reyes another shot at closing. Percival and Wheeler setting up Reyes is an improvement but don't think they are done.

[catman]

Originally Posted by love_that_reefer Yeah they turned down Rincon due to his history of injuries. Morlan is a good prospect so its a better deal.

I agree with this, and wish Rincon had been the 3rd player from the Twins.
As to signing Troy Percival to close games, when he's right, he can be dominating. Not sure what he has left, but his arm should be fresh anyway.

[love_that_reefer]

Troy Percival will take a two-year, $8 million contract from the Rays, according to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal. Incentives could make the deal worth in excess of $10 million. Rosenthal says the Rays have reviewed Percival's medical records, but they won't give him a physical. Clearly, they have a pretty good idea of all the damage they'd find. Percival is passing on offers from the Yankees, Brewers and Giants to join the Rays. The Yankees offered a higher salary than Tampa Bay, but they wouldn't go to two years.

Yikes!! Four mil for this guy is just too much for such a risk. Percival will make the same amount in 08 that Crawford made in 07. That's ****ed up!

Rays still need to find a catcher, a RF/DH and more pitching not to mention resign Pena.

[McKain]

Yes, not doing a physical on a guy is a good thing, Tampa.

Hey, they should sign Robb Nen.

[love_that_reefer]

Rather have Prior without seeing him pitch.

[love_that_reefer]

Originally Posted by love_that_reefer Rays still need to find a catcher, a RF/DH and more pitching not to mention resign Pena.

The Rays and Phillies have joined the Padres in pursuit of free agent Geoff Jenkins. Jenkins would replace Delmon Young in right field in Tampa Bay, at least against righties. The Rays have the ability to cover their right field and DH spots with Rocco Baldelli, Elijah Dukes, Jonny Gomes and Justin Ruggiano, but they might add a veteran anyway. The Phillies reportedly believe Jenkins will be out of their price range.

The Rays would be wise not to get Jenkins. They still need to get Pena back which will cost a pretty penny for the Rays. Now they are going to give Jenkins around $18 mil for two years? If they do get Jenkins, they must get rid of Dukes and Gomes. No need for them. Baldelli and Jenkins can handle the RF/DH roles. It is encouraging to see the Rays are willing to spend to compete.

[catman]

Frankly, I'm surprised that the Rays dealt Young to the Twins, instead of one of their 3Bs, but I like the deal from the Twins perspective.

[catman]

How long will Bartlett be at SS for the Rays? Reid Brignac is nearly ready and has a lot more "upside" than Bartlett. Could another deal be in the works?

[love_that_reefer]

Brignac isn't ready yet. Reports said that Bartlett could move to second in '09 or become the utility man.