Rays make official the one-year deal with Colby Rasmus

Colby Rasmus can earn up to $2-million more in incentives in a deal first agreed to January 9. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

At long last, the Tampa Bay Rays made official the one-year, $5-Million contract with free agent outfielder Colby Rasmus. He has a chance to earn an additional $2-Million in incentives (details of which are below). To make room on the 40-man roster, the team released outfielder Jason Coats, who was recently acquired from the Chicago White Sox.

Rasmus slashed just .206 BA/.286 OBP/.355 SLG/.641 OPS/.257 BABIP/.282 wOBA last season for Houston, following a 2015 campaign in which he batted .238 with a .475 SLG with 25 home runs and 61 RBI and a 117 wRC+ in 137 games. He is coming off October surgeries for a cyst in his ear as well as hip and core muscle maladies — which tends to explain his offensive fall-off.

Though he is still recovering from the procedures mentioned above, Rasmus — who reportedly is doing well — has been cleared for running and baseball activities, although he plans to be cautious in Spring Training, with the possibility he may be sidelined in the early going, with an eye on making sure he is ready for the regular season opener.

Rays Vice President of Baseball Operations, Chaim Bloom, told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) the team is “comfortable” with Rasmus’ rehab progress, and they  “are optimistic” he will be ready to start with season.

Rasmus presents another left-handed bat to the outfield along with Kevin Kiermaier and Corey Dickerson. Bloom said Rasmus will spend time in both left and right field, as well as get reps at DH, and in centerfield when Kevin Kiermaier needs a day off. It is his versatility that gives Rays manager Kevin Cash more options.

We know he has a lot of sock in his bat, said Bloom. He can change a game with his power. But he’s also a very good athlete, and he impacts a game defensively. And for us to get someone we see is a very good defensive outfielder, with the ability to play center field, and layer that on to how he can impact a game at the plate, that was a very attractive combination for us.

The Rays’ front office hopes for a bounce-back season, in the batter’s box, from Rasmus, the outfielder has drawn strong defensive reviews, especially last year when he posted a +20 DRS, and is known as a good base runner even though he doesn’t often attempt to steal.

Rasmus cited several factors that enticed him to sign with Tampa Bay, including the team’s proximity to his Alabama home, his familiarity with several Rays players, and a reunion with former Toronto Blue Jays hitting coach Chad Mottola.

Rasmus attributes the work he put in with Mattola for his renaissance at the plate:

Motor helped me to see some things, Rasmus said. I developed some bad habits from my younger days coming up with the Cardinals. … He helped me fix those things. … And just helped me get comfortable in my own skin.

As for the terms of his contract, Rasmus is set to make a base salary of $5-Million. From there, he can earn up to $2-Million in incentives based on plate appearances:

400 pa: $100,000
425 pa: $100,000
450 pa: $100,000
475 pa: $100,000
500 pa: $200,000
525 pa: $400,000
500 pa: $500,000
575 pa: $500,000
Total:  $2,000,000

Also $250,000 each time he is traded.

Noteworthiness

— Citing Evan Grant (Dallas Morning News), Jeff Todd (MLB Trade Rumors) writes that the Rays have opened a dialogue with Texas about infielder Jurickson Profar:

It seems that the discussions are just preliminary at this point, but it does seem there’s a rather intriguing possible match on paper. Tampa Bay is in need of a second baseman after trading Logan Forsythe (and might also like the idea of having another player capable of playing short). For Texas, Profar is something of an underutilized asset; the Rays possess a variety of pitchers that might be of greater function. Of course, lining up on value and finding common ground isn’t as simple as finding mutual interest; it remains to be seen whether these talks will gain traction.

The teams were linked with one another at the 2016 trade deadline for either Profar and Joey Gallo, yet the Rays did business with the San Francisco Giants instead of the Rangers, trading LHP Matt Moore for SS/3B Matt Duffy.

Who’s on second? The aftermath of the Logan Forsythe trade: part two

Your new second baseman, Willy Adames? (Photo Credit: USA Today Sports)

As J.J. pointed out on Friday, following the unexpected trade of infielder Logan Forsythe, the Tampa Bay Rays have a lot to figure out over the next couple of weeks as they head into Spring Training. Piggybacking on the aforementioned piece, what follows are some other options for Erik Neander and the Rays to fill the hole at second.

According to Rays Radio Blog, Neander will use the next couple of weeks to sort out the situation:

Neander says the organization will use the next couple of weeks for clarity in determining the team’s second base situation, looking at internal and external options. Among the internal options are Tim Beckham, Nick Franklin and Daniel Robertson, or Brad Miller, if the team is to acquire one of the available free agent bats still available that plays first base.

How might the Rays solve this quandary?

Brad Miller

It appears, at the moment, the plan is to move Brad Miller over to second base from first, where last season he was shifted from shortstop. Miller is athletic enough to play shortstop, and a transition to second base likely would not be a problem.

If they plan to go in this direction, Tampa Bay could sign one of the remaining right-handed free agent first baseman such as Mike Napoli, Mark Reynolds, or Chris Carter. Or, as Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) suggested, they could actually go get two first-base types, one that hits from each side, creating platoon advantages:

…they could actually go get two first-base types, one that hits from each side, creating platoon advantages, a more potent bench and — depending on who — potentially a better glove. Among lefties, think Brandon Moss, the return of Logan Morrison (recovering from wrist surgery) or maybe Pedro Alvarez.

Tim Beckham

Prior to the Forsythe trade, Beckham was expected to get most of his at-bats against left-handed pitching, after slashing .259 BA/.302 OBP/.457 SLG/.759 OPS/105 wRC+ in 216 plate appearances against southpaws. However, there is a thought that he could play a much larger role, given the team’s need up the middle.

Be that as it may, his career .218 BA/.275 OBP/.408 SLG/.683 OPS/85 wRC+ line against right-handed pitching, paired with the fact that he makes far too many mental (and base running) gaffes, is likely enough to keep Beckham in a bench depth role.

Nick Franklin

Acquired in the 2014 trade of David Price, Franklin was expected to get the bulk of the playing time in a platoon with Forsythe heading into the 2015 season. Yet as fate would have it, Franklin strained his oblique at the end of Spring Training, and started the season on the disabled list. The switch hitting Franklin played well when he was able to get on the field last season, slashing .270 BA/.328 OBP/.443 SLG/.771 OPS with six home runs in 60 games.

He again could have a bead on the second base job in 2017, especially against right-handed pitchers, as he slashed .285 BA/.347 OBP/.482 SLG/.829 OPS in 152 plate appearances against righties last season. To his credit, his promising rookie campaign in 2013 suggests Franklin’s success is not a fluke.

Daniel Robertson

Robertson owned a 110 wRC+ over 511 plate appearances last season with Triple-A Durham, posting an impressive 11.4% walk rate, and a 19.6% strikeout rate. Things were not always peachy with Robertson though.

Through the first 82 games of the season, the infielder was staked with a lackluster .648 OPS, a .075 ISO, and just 16 extra base hits in 348 plate appearances — the unfortunate result of a hamate bone fracture the previous season. Robertson was able to bounce back after working with hitting coach Chad Mottola, and finished the year with an .860 OPS, a .147 ISO, and 13 extra base hits over 36 games (163 PA).

Willy Adames

Adames probably will not crack the Opening Day roster, but that has more to do the team’s desire for an extra year of control — while trying to avoid Super-2 status — than it has with his perceived readiness.

Many within the organization are very high on Adames, including Rays farm director Mitch Lukevics:

His attitude, his aptitude, his work ethic — all the intangibles make Willy Adames stand out along with his skill. His ability to field a ground ball, to throw a baseball, to hit a baseball makes him a very unique player.

Adames, 21, tore up the Southern League for the Rays Double-A affiliate Montgomery Biscuits, slashing .274 BA/.372 OBP/.430 SLG/.802 OPS/134 wRC+ with 11 homers and 57 RBI.

Still, his brief October-November stint in the Dominican League, where he hit .167 in 10 games, reinforces the idea that a few months with Triple-A Durham may be needed.

Conclusion

The trade of Forsythe could be a make or break moment in the 2017 season before the first pitch is even thrown. Whatever the case, Neander and company will need to make the right decision, and fast, if the Rays are to be a threat in the AL East once again. In the words of Topkin, one thing for sure, the Rays will consider all options.

Noteworthiness

— The Rays have not yet announced the signing of outfielder Colby Rasmus, although that’s not due to any issues with his physical, tweeted Topkin.

It is likely that the team is waiting to sort out a roster move before making the Rasmus deal official. Per Topkin, the most likely options to open a 40-man roster spot are trading RHP Erasmo Ramirez, ditching either reliever RHP Eddie Gamboa or Ryan Garton, or dropping OF Jason Coats.

— Four Rays prospects made the MLB Pipeline Top 100 list:

21: INF Willy Adames
31: RHP Brent Honeywell
33: RHP Jose De Leon
76: INF/OF Jake Bauers

Jason Hanselman (The Process Report) took an exhaustive look at the fantastic four, and it is worth your while to read up!

— While in New York on other city business, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman went directly to Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred with his push to keep the Rays in the Sunshine City with a new stadium at the Tropicana Field site.

Who’s on Second? The Aftermath of the Logan Forsythe trade.

After trading leadoff man and fan favorite Logan Forsythe, the Rays now have a huge hole to fill in the infield and their lineup.  (Photo Credit: Cliff McBride/Getty Images)

After the news hit on Monday, that the Tampa Bay Rays had traded infield fixture and former team MVP Logan Forsythe to the  Dodgers, for pitching prospect Jose De Leon. The overall consensus among Rays fan was “Why? Why trade an elite Second baseman and clubhouse leader (with 2 years of club control) for a talented but unproven prospect? It also raised questions about the aspirations of the front office to win in 2017.

Undoubtedly, the offseason acquisitions of the Boston Red Sox make them the odds on favorites to win the A.L. East. Are the Rays considering 2017 a wash less than a month away from Spring Training? Or is this there another deal in the works? As far as the trade is concerned, only time will tell. Let’s not forget that Forsythe was once on the opposite side of an unpopular trade. Forsythe was acquired prior to the 2014 from the Padres for left handed reliever Alex Torres. Let’s explore some of the options for second base both within the organization and in free agency.

Option 1: Move Brad Miller or Matt Duffy to 2B and sign a veteran free agent First Baseman/DH

Miller has played second base before with the Rays and Mariners, and the Rays have made it evident that they’re committed to Matt Duffy at Shortstop. Miller committed 14 errors in 105 games with the Rays last year at Shortstop. Miller committed only 3 errors in 3 seasons (37 games) with the Mariners at Second Base. Miller has made it clear that he’d prefer playing Shortstop. Would Miller consider being the Rays everyday Second baseman? Matt Duffy has played Second base on a very limited basis for the Giants (18 games in 2 seasons). If either player were moved to second, the Rays would most likely sign a free agent to play First base.

Here are some likely candidates still remaining:

Mike Napoli’s has been recently linked to the Rays. A year removed from Sleep Apnea surgery. The well rested Napoli posted a career high in both HR’s(34) and games played (150), while posting an OPS of .800 last season for the A.L. Champion Indians. There’s no doubt the Rays lineup would be vastly improved with Napoli’s 30 HR potential in the 5th slot behind  Longoria and Miller.

Another interesting free agent option is veteran journeyman slugger Chris Carter. Carter mashed 41 homers last year but struck out a dismal 206 times, leading all Major League hitters. Carter’s power is undeniable but his inability to consistently get on base (career OBP .314) leaves much to be desired. Carter and Souza Jr. in the same lineup could be a nightmare for Rays fans. While the potential of 50+ homers at the bottom of the Rays lineup seems tantalizing, the duo could easily combine for 300 strikeouts. Napoli is overall a better fit both offensively and defensively, signing him to a one year deal would come at at steeper price than it would for Carter, who is also a defensive liability.

Other notable free agent 1B/DH; Brandon Moss, Pedro Alvarez, Billy Butler, Adam Lind, Logan Morrison.

Option 2: Sign veteran Second Baseman to mentor Willy Adames

Adames made great strides last year in AA Montgomery, where he slashed an impressive  .274/11/57 with 13 stolen bases and an OPS. of .804 for the Biscuits. Many believe Adames could be ready by the All-Star break. If so, signing a veteran such as Chase Utley to usher in Adames makes sense. Utley is at the twilight of his career and could fetch a fair price. The savvy veteran hit 14 homeruns and posted an OPS of .716 for the Dodgers in 2016. The 38 year old Utley would most likely platoon with Nick Franklin, but would provide invaluable experience and leadership for a relatively young Rays roster.

Other notable free agent 2B: Aaron Hill, Kelley Johnson, Alexei Ramirez.

Option 3: Ride out the season with Nick Franklin and Tim Beckham

Nick Franklin played very well in the second half of ’16. In 60 games Franklin posted an OPS of .771 while playing 6 different positions for the Rays. The Rays are hoping the former first round pick (27th overall in’09) of the Seattle Mariners is a late bloomer and will continue to produce in 2017. Speaking of late bloomers. There’s always Tim Beckham. Beckham’s poor play has made him the goat for many Rays fans. Beckham committed numerous base-running blunders and struggled both offensively and defensively in 2016. With the current lack of depth at middle infield, it’s very likely we will see more Beckham in 2017 in some capacity. Whether he will be able to turn his career around remains to be seen. Adames and Robertson far from ready, so signing a second baseman seems imperative if the Rays are to remain competitive this year in the A.L. East.

Finally and perhaps more importantly. Who will bat lead-off now that Forsythe is gone?

Kevin Kiermeier seems the most obvious choice, but has historically struggled in the leadoff spot. Kiermeier seemed to settle in nicely in the 2 hole last season. If the Rays elect to move Kiermeier back to the leadoff  they’ll run the risk of a potential regression. Recently acquired Mallex Smith is a prototype lead-off hitter but along with Adames and Robertson will start the year in Durham. Corey Dickerson is 25 lbs thinner and has always had adequate speed. If Dickerson can show more consistency at the plate and improve his OBP., Dickerson could be a “Dark Horse” candidate.

In Conclusion, the Rays have a lot to figure out these next couple of weeks as they head into Spring Training. I think it’s a safe to assume that the Rays aren’t done making deals yet. whether these moves will come via trade or free agency remains to be seen.

Rays deal Logan Forsythe to the Dodgers for Jose De León

The Tampa Bay Rays completed a 1-to-1 trade Monday afternoon, sending INF Logan Forsythe to the Dodgers for RHP Jose De Leon. (Photo Credit: Kim Klement/USA Today Sports)
The Tampa Bay Rays completed a 1-to-1 trade Monday afternoon, sending INF Logan Forsythe to the Dodgers for RHP Jose De Leon. (Photo Credit: Kim Klement/USA Today Sports)

According to Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times), the Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to trade Logan Forsythe to the Los Angeles Dodgers for top pitching prospect Jose De León. The team later confirmed the deal.

In a statement following the trade, Rays GM Erik Neander called the move bittersweet, while also noting the club’s excitement to add De León:

We are very excited to add Jose De León to the Rays organization. He’s a talented starting pitching prospect who can soon become a key member of our major league rotation. It’s a bittersweet day, though, as we part ways with Logan Forsythe in this trade. He’s not only a first-class player, but he’s also a great teammate and leader in the clubhouse. We will miss him, and we thank him for all he did as a Ray.

After ranking as a top-thirty prospect leaguewide entering the 2016 season, De León battled through some injuries to earn his big league debut. Though he wasn’t terribly impressive in four MLB outings, amassing 17 innings of 6.35 ERA/6.97 FIP ball, De Leon tore through Triple-A over with 86-1/3 innings, posting a 2.61 ERA and 3.24 FIP, with an 11.57 K/9 and a 2.08 BB/9.

Trading Forsythe could hurt the 2017 team, especially against left handed hurlers, however, Neander, is confident they have internal options to take over at second, including Nick Franklin, Tim Beckham and Daniel Robertson. They could also shift Brad Miller to second base and look externally for a first baseman. If I may, neither Franklin nor Beckham appear to be the heir apparent to Forsythe. Franklin might be best served in the utility role, and did play well when he was able to get on the field last season, slashing .270 BA/.328 OBP/.443 SLG/.771 OPS with six home runs in 60 games.

As for Beckham, this may be his final opportunity to prove he is a viable Major League option. To say he has been a disappointment is an understatement to say the least. He still makes far too many mental (and base running) gaffes — some of  which led to his banishment to Triple-A at the end of last season.

Robertson owned a 110 wRC+ over 511 plate appearances last season with Triple-A Durham, posting an impressive 11.4% walk rate, and a 19.6% strikeout rate. Through the first 82 games of the season, the infielder was staked with a lackluster .648 OPS and just 16 extra base hits through 348 plate appearances. Yet he finished the year with an .860 OPS and 13 extra base hits over 36 games (163 PA).

A question whether Willy Adames could make the transition to second remains. Whatever the case, the Rays will use the next few weeks leading up to Spring Training to clarify the second base options.

Noteworthiness

— I won’t be the only one who misses Forsythe at the top of the order:

— With a roster space open, the Rays made official the one-year, $1-Million deal (plus up to $1.15-Million in incentives) with RHP Shawn Tolleson. Topkin listed the incentives in his latest piece for the Heater blog:

35 games: $50,000
40: $75,000
45: $75,000
50: $100,000
55: $150,000
60: $200,000
65: $250,000
70: $250,000

I wrote about the pending deal last week.

Rays nearing deal with Shawn Tolleson; trade Mikie Mahtook

The Tampa Bay Rays are said to be nearing deal with RHP Shawn Tolleson. (Photo Credit: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Tampa Bay Rays are said to be nearing deal with RHP Shawn Tolleson. (Photo Credit: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Rays are close to a major league agreement with former Texas Rangers closer Shawn Tolleson, reports Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times). Additionally, the Rays announced that they have traded outfielder Mikie Mahtook to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash.

Tolleson was non-tendered by the Rangers last month after a poor 2016 campaign (7.68 ERA/3.89 FIP over 36.1 innings), however, he was excellent as recently as the 2014/15 seasons. In his two-year run of success, the right-hander logged a 2.88 ERA/3.57 FIP and fanned 24.4% of batters while walking just 7.6% (9.1/2.8 K/BB) across 144 innings of relief. Because of it he earned the ninth-inning role and he fared well, racking up 35 saves in 2015, while earning $3.3-Million in his first year of arbitration.

2016 was not kind to Tolleson, who saw his strikeout plummet to 17.3%, even though he walked only 6.0% of batters. The culprit? An obscene 24.2% HR/FB rate. Tolleson was able to accrue 11 saves and one hold, yet his four blown saves consequently led to his expulsion from the closer’s role in favor of teammate Sam Dyson.

According to Topkin, while Tolleson missed time with a back injury in 2016, he’s now said to be healthy, which gives him a decent shot at cracking the Rays’ bullpen. Should he return to form in Tampa Bay, the Rays will be able to control the righty through the 2018 season.

Since he is expected to sign a major league deal, the Rays will need to make another cut from the 40-man roster in order to add either Tolleson or Colby Rasmus.

On that very subject, the Rays were able to clear one roster spot Wednesday afternoon with the trade of Mahtook, who was selected as the 31st overall pick in the 2011 draft.

Mahtook debuted in 2015 and posted an impressive .295 BA/.351 OBP/.619 SLG/.970 OPS line with nine home runs in just 115 plate appearances — including an impressive .353 BA/.397 OBP/.706 SLG/1.103 OPS over the final 24 games of the season. His bat regressed in 2016, however, with the outfielder slashing just .195 BA/.231 OBP/.292 SLG/.523 OPS with three homers over 65 games (196 big league plate appearances). Mahtook was sidelined by a broken left hand for a good portion of the 2016 season, though his injury likely didn’t have much to do with his lack of production.

Noteworthiness

— To better know a Ray… The guys on Hot Stove talked to Rays outfielder Mallex Smith about learning he was traded twice in one day, his 2016 season and more.