UPDATE: (5/14, 10:05pm EST) - Vote in the poll. Who got fleeced?!
May 14, 8:33pm (EST) - The Tampa Bay Rays have extended young ace Scott Kazmir. The deal is said to be for 3 years, worth a reported $28.5 million. There is also a club option for the 2012 season, which could bring the total value of the deal to […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays, _Polls | 1 Comment »
According to Mark Bowman at MLB.com, the Atlanta Braves have acquired Greg Norton from the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named later or cash considerations. As reported here at Fleece Factor, the M’s deginated Norton for assignment last week when they decided to promote prospects Jeff Clement and Wladimir Balentein. The Braves’ current […]
Filed under: Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays | 3 Comments »
Jon Heyman at SI.com gives us the latest on the Barry Bonds* saga. Bonds, MLB’s all-time home run leader, is waiting patiently back in his Beverly Hills home waiting for his phone to ring, and for someone to make him an offer. Apparently, even with all the baggage he has, Bonds* can’t believe that nobody […]
Filed under: San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers | No Comments »
According to Bill Chastain at MLB.com, just one day after reporting to the team, first baseman Dan Johnson was designated for assignment by the Tampa Bay Rays. Last Friday, the Rays claimed Johnson after the Oakland A’s had placed him on waivers.
It seems Johnson was sent down to make room on the team’s 25-man roster […]
Filed under: Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
According to Adam McCalvy at MLB.com, the Milwaukee Brewers traded left-handed hitting outfielder Gabe Gross to the Tampa Bay Rays for 6′5″ minor-league right-hander Josh Butler. The 23-year old Butler will head to Class A Brevard County.
The Brewers will call-up outfielder Tony Gwynn, Jr. from Triple-A Nashville to replace Gross on the team’s 25-man roster. Gwynn made four starts […]
Filed under: Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Tampa Bay Rays claimed first baseman Dan Johnson off of waivers this morning. The Oakland A’s had been trying to swing a trade for the backup 1B, but nothing materialized, so they lost him to waivers. Johnson had been out of options.
Johnson should see a […]
Filed under: Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays | 1 Comment »
UPDATE: (4/18) 4:20pm (EST) - As per ESPN.com, the 6-year deal is worth $17.5 million. In total, the deal could reach $44 million. Longoria’s 2014 option is worth $7.5 million (or $3 million buyout), and his 2015 option will cost $11 million. The 2016 option is worth $11.5 million (could rise to $14 million depending on […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays, _Polls | 3 Comments »
ESPN’s Jayson Stark has a few good MLB rumors up in his Rumblings and Grumblings column today. Let’s check ‘em out:
Stark reiterates that the Tampa Bay Rays, of all clubs, may actually be forced to trade away pitchers when Scott Kazmir and Matt Garza return from the DL in early May. On March 28, Fleece Factor […]
Filed under: Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
In keeping with today’s trend of dollar signs, Yahoo Sports! released a piece today (citing Forbes magazine) detailing how much each major-league franchise is worth. No real shocker that the Yankees were at the top of that list, valued at $1.306 billion, a rise of 9 percent from the previous year. The Bronx Bombers were […]
Filed under: Boston Red Sox, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays | 2 Comments »
The 2008 payrolls were released earlier this month by Major League Baseball, and there were a few surprises. What isn’t much of a surprise is that the New York Yankees were once again #1 on that list, topping $209 million (yet another payroll record).
Of interest though is that both the Detroit Tigers and New York Mets have leap-froged the […]
Filed under: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals | No Comments »
UPDATE: (4/14) 10:04pm (EST) - As per the St. Petersburg Times, Kazmir threw a successful 2 innings in an extended spring game and felt good. The current plan is for him to throw 3 more times in the minors before rejoining the Rays on May 3rd in Boston.
Apr 5, 12:51pm (EST) - According to Brittany […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
UPDATE: (4/14) 4:01pm (EST) - According to the Boston Herald, Kyle Snyder has cleared through waivers and has accepted an assignment to AAA Pawtucket.
Kind of surprising here. He’s a guy that can eat some innings, and considering most team’s bullpen woes (Detroit, perhaps?), it’s odd that he passed through. He is making $835,000 this year.
Apr 11th […]
Filed under: Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Rays | 4 Comments »
The Tampa Bay Rays are rumored to be bringing up top prospect Evan Longoria, according to the Tampa Tribune. The move seems to be official, although no “formal” announcement has been made. He’ll be replacing Willy Aybar, who may be headed to the 15-day DL.
It’s about time, even though we’re just about two weeks into […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
Once again, Tampa Bay Rays reliever Al Reyes was a complete disaster last night - only this time, it wasn’t on a baseball field.
Apparently, Reyes was out celebrating his 38th birthday and decided to get completely sloshed at a local Tampa bar. In the process, Reyes picked fights with random patrons, was punched in the […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays, _Off-Field Fleeces | 8 Comments »
According to the Tampa Tribune, Rays’ starter Matt Garza has been placed on the 15-day DL due to “nerve irratation”.“I’ve usually been able to get through it, just kind of pitch through it and wear the pain and get it right after the game and get my work in,” said a very frustrated Garza. Garza […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays | 2 Comments »
The injury bug never seems to leave Rays’ OF/DH Cliff Floyd. According to the Tampa Tribune, Floyd is set to have surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. Floyd willbe placed on the 15-day DL as a result. Floyd has been plagued with injuries for a number of years, so this does not […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
According to Marc Topkin at the St. Petersburg Times, All-Star outfielder Carl Crawford will certainly listen to any offers from the Tampa Bay Rays regarding a long-term contract enxtension. He did note that he wasn’t even sure when or if talks will take place with the organization on the subject, but that he “couldn’t imagine” […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
According to Marc Topkin at the St. Petersburg Times, the Tampa Bay Rays inexplicably gave relief pitcher Dan Wheeler a 3-year, $10.5 million contract, with an option for a fourth season (2011). After being traded from Houston to Tampa Bay last season, Wheeler made 25 appearances for the Rays, and went 0-5 with a 5.76 […]
Filed under: Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays | 3 Comments »
UPDATE: As expected, Crawford’s option was exercised while the Rays chose to buy out Baldelli instead.
Marc Lancaster of The Tampa Tribune reminds us that the Tampa Bay Rays must decide by the end of today whether to pick up their 2009 contract options on outfielders Carl Crawford and Rocco Baldelli.
Crawford’s ‘09 option will cost them $8.25 million, […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays | 1 Comment »
Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times reports that the Tampa Bay Rays “could deal one of their young starters, Edwin Jackson or Jason Hammel, who are out of options” in order to acquire an outfielder.
As we’ve documented at the Fleece Factor, the Rays are seeking an outfielder to take the place of injured Rocco Baldelli. Names that have […]
Filed under: Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays | 1 Comment »
As per John Hickey of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the Mariners are still deciding on whether or not to trade outfielder Jeremy Reed. They have apparently held talks with both the Tampa Bay Rays and San Diego Padres about the left-handed hitter, however. The M’s need to decide how many bats they want to keep on their bench, […]
Filed under: San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
UPDATE: (3/25) 9:17am (EST) - According to the NY Newsday , Mets’ GM Omar Minaya plans to meet with Johnson’s agent in the next day or so. The Mets appear to have interest here, as Reed has always hit lefties well.
Mar 24 - Recently released outfielder Reed Johnson is drawing interest from several clubs, […]
Filed under: Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays | No Comments »
UPDATE: (3/24) 4:33pm (EST) - As per the St. Petersburg Times, Longoria will be heading down to AAA, and Willy Aybar will start at 3B for the first 2 months of the season. That way, the Rays can control Longoria until 2014, not 2013. Stingy bastards.
Mar 18, 11:47am (EST) - Marc Topkin at the St. Petersburg Times […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays | 3 Comments »
UPDATE: (Mar 20, 1:57pm EST) - Buster Olney of ESPN reiterates today that Boston centerfielder Coco Crisp is on Tampa’s radar to fill the void left by Rocco Baldelli’s latest injury, especially after Kenny Lofton spurned them. As far as a potential return for Boston, Olney writes, “Tampa Bay is loaded with a wide range […]
Filed under: Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
According to ESPN.com’ Jayson Stark, the Tampa Bay Rays are believed to have made an offer to free-agent outfielder Kenny Lofton in the last 48 hours, but Lofton decided to say no thanks.
The team is currently looking for a “platoon-type oufielder.” Stark notes that they could just go with non-roster players Eric Hinske or Jon […]
Filed under: Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
MLB Fleece Factor has now finished team outlooks of all thirty MLB teams!
And to be fair to the A.L. East, let’s vote on the champion of that division like we have with the others. I’ve linked the individual team outlooks below for those teams, alphabetically. Check them out, and then vote in the poll below for the team you think […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, _Polls, _Team Outlooks (2008) | 3 Comments »
Just when we thought it was safe, and that Fleece Factor didn’t jinx Rays’ ace Scott Kazmir, word now comes down that he won’t be starting on Opening Day. As per ESPN.com, Kazmir’s left strained elbow “will definitely knock out the Opening Day assignment,” according to Rays manager Joe Maddon.
Kazmir was scheduled to play catch today, […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
Here’s a rundown of some decent MLB rumors and notes from baseball guru Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports:
Seven teams have expressed interest in left-hander Horacio Ramirez after he was released by the Mariners, according to the pitcher’s agent, Steve Canter. Ramirez was a bust for the M’s (check out our review of his time in Seattle here) […]
Filed under: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays | 2 Comments »
As per the St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Rocco Baldelli will be sidelined indefinitely with what is described by him as a ”metabolic and/or mitochondrial abnormalities” that cause the athlete to become extremely fatigued after even the shortest workouts.
Baldelli describes the condition this way: “I think the best way to describe it is literal muscle […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
As a possible insurance policy against Rocco Baldelli’s ongoing hamstring problems, the Tampa Bay Rays are considering bringing free agent outfielder Kenny Lofton on board, according to the Tampa Tribune.
Baldelli, slated to play right field and some DH for the Rays in 2008, has only played in two games the Spring, both as a DH. […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
Marc Lancaster at the Tampa Tribune gives us the latest on the Tampa Bay Rays rumor front. Let’s get to it:
Scott Kazmir is on to “Phase 2″ in the rehab of his left elbow. That means the inflammation in the elbow has subsided and that he has started indoor exercises like simultating his throwing motion. He […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
UPDATE: (3/1) 12:28pm (EST) - According to the St. Petersburg Times, the inflammation in Kazmir’s elbow is “going away a bit”, but there is no set date for a return.
UPDATE: (2/27) 4:10pm (EST) - As per Marc Lancaster at The Tampa Tribune, Kazmir has said he “definitely” plans to be ready to pitch on Opening […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays | 4 Comments »
Baseball America has issued it’s list of the 100 best prospects heading into the 2008 season. I’ve listed the top 25 below, but definitely check out Baseball America’s list in it’s entirety. And don’t forget to also check out MLB Fleece Factor’s very own interview with Baseball America’s Jim Callis.
Without further ado, here are the top 25 according […]
Filed under: Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays | 12 Comments »
A volcanic eruption occurs when pressure on the magma chamber well below the mountain’s peak causes the chamber to succumb and allow magma to seep up through the volcano’s vents, sometimes resulting in magnificent explosions. Some volcanoes can remain dormant for many years before an inevitable explosion.
Well, the volcano that is the Tampa Bay Devil Rays has […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays, _Polls, _Team Outlooks (2008) | 10 Comments »
According to Foxsports, the Tampa Bay organization has had internal discussions about possibly offering a deal to Barry Bonds*. Manager Joe Maddon acknowledged that some minor discussions have indeed taken place, but says they have not gone past that.
Bonds’ agent, Jeff Boris, says Bonds* is NOT retiring and will play somewhere next season. He went […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
