The Tampa Bay Rays have opted to DFA RHPR Kyle Farnsworth. Josh Leuke has been recalled from Triple-A Durham to fill his spot on the roster.
Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors reports,
“Farnsworth, 37, served as the Rays’ closer back in the 2011 season and posted a masterful 2.18 ERA with 25 saves, but it’s been downhill since then. He posted a 4.00 ERA last season and has pitched to a 5.76 ERA with 5.8 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 in 29 2/3 innings this season. His fastball is averaging a career-worst 92.5 mph. Farnsworth signed a one-year, $1.25MM contract with the Rays back in February.”
What will this cost the Rays? Marc Topkin notes,
“Farnsworth had a base salary of $1.25-million, with another $1.65-million in incentives. He made another $200,000 by reaching the first two – $50,000 for appearing in 30 games, $150,000 for 35. He had pitched in 39 overall and the Rays would have had to pay him another $150,000 if he got to 40.”
But it’s also important to realize you cannot start to discuss stadium sites without first discussing what Tampa Bay’s transit picture will look like in 2025 (or 2035 or 2045).
While it’s all well-and-good to figure out how many people currently live within a 30-minute drive of Carillon vs. a 30-minute drive of Downtown Tampa (hint: it’s the same), the region’s transportation picture will be drastically different by 2035. And the presence of light rail and/or rapid-transit buses will reshape our impressions of a “reasonable” commute.
Earlier this year, Rays owner Stu Sternberg acknowledged “transit (is) the real difference-maker…it’s a foregone conclusion: wherever we end up (with a new stadium)…there will be a stop there.”
And forget just a “stop” – a new stadium could be a regional hub: think Penn Station and Madison Square Garden. Transit really could be a difference-maker – even more than the stadium’s location.
With an extensive transit footprint, not even Downtown St. Petersburg looks like a bad stadium site. Truth is, there would be no bad stadium site if the light rail could whisk you from Wesley Chapel to The Trop in under an hour.
I’m not saying a new stadium in Downtown St. Pete make sense, but successful transit would make our sprawling region look a lot smaller.
Yet despite huge momentum for light rail right now, Hillsborough County doesn’t even have a referendum lined up for voters to weigh in on it. And like a new baseball stadium, it doesn’t have money for the project either, yet.
I’ve always thought that a stadium funding package could piggyback a transit referendum, just as Raymond James Stadium did with school funding back in 1996. But Kevin Thurman, Executive Director at Connect Tampa Bay, tells me that’s not likely for legislative and practical reasons.
Nevertheless, Florida has long been a petri dish of growth management experiments and before this region can worry about a new stadium, it needs to figure out its long-term transportation strategy.
There is no doubt transit provides a great value to a community. But if light rail is determined to be too costly for the value it provides, the region needs to figure out how it will address growth. Otherwise, the 30-minute commute time from Downtown Tampa won’t extend past Dale Mabry.
And just as the elected leaders in Tampa Bay need to take a hard, honest look at whether spending huge amounts of money on light rail is right for this region, they need to take the same hard, honest look at stadium costs.
Pro sports teams provide great value to a region’s image, if nothing else. But at some point, the public cost outweighs the value…and the region needs to figure out how much it really wants to pay for these luxuries.
Remember this dude? In light of his 2.11 ERA and 81% LOB percentage, I’d gladly take JP Howell over Kyle Farnsworth or Cesar Ramos and day of the week. (Photo courtesy of Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
The Rays continue their five-game road trip in Los Angeles Friday, where they’ll take on the NL West leading Dodgers. Tampa Bay is coming off a pair of losses to the Diamondbacks, including a disappointing 9-8 loss Wednesday night — in a game where the bullpen royally crapped the bed, giving up a combined eight runs on 10 hits and four walks.
The Dodgers are 11-4 in their last 15 games, outscoring their opponents 58-32 — a differential of 25 runs. The Rays, on the other hand, are 9-6 in their last 15, having been outscored by their opponents 55-53. Tampa Bay has cooled down significantly, offensively speaking, exposing the rust and flaws of an inconsistent bullpen. Enter Josh Leuke.
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that “Josh Lueke was called up by the Rays late Thursday, according to Durham-based blogger Adam Sobsey, though there was no word from the team.” On one hand, Lueke could be filling a DL spot for Chris Archer who was removed with right forearm tightness after 1-2/3 innings of work Wednesday night. However, both Archer and team officials were confident he would be fine and make his next start. The question begs: Who’s spot could he be taking? Kyle Farnsworth’s. Farnsworth, 37, struggled in 2013, posting a 5.76 ERA while allowing a .306 average and .828 OPS.
He, along with Cesar Ramos, posted a combined 11 IP/20 ER/13 H/1 BB slash line in their last six outings. Compare that to JP Howell, who’s given up no runs on two hits and three walks in his last six outings, a span of 5-2/3 innings. In light of Farnsworth and Ramos’ “questionable” outings of late, I’d think that Howell’s $2.85 MM contract with the Dodgers might actually be a small price to pay for a solid pen. But that’s neither here or now.
Rays and Dodgers series starters.Rays and Dodgers offensive production at home, away, and over the last 14 days.Rays and Dodgers, by the numbers.
Chris Capuano: Per the Chicago Tribune, “Capuano isn’t the highest profile starter in the Dodgers’ rotation, but he’s quietly put together a strong second half. He’s recorded at least six shutout innings in three of his last four outings, and he enters Friday’s contest on a 13-inning scoreless streak. The 34-year-old is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three interleague starts this season.” Only a handful of Rays batters have any any experience against Capuano, and even then it’s only a minimal amount of experience at best. Expect Capuano to lean heavily on four pitches: his fastball, sinker, slider, and change-up. Opposing batters are hitting .291 and .271 (respectively) off his fastball and sinker, and if the Rays can force a mistake, they can make him pay. Key match-ups: Yunel Escobar (1-2), James Loney (2-4, 2 RBI), Ryan Roberts (2-5).
Zach Greinke: Per Rotowire, “Greinke won Monday against the Cardinals as he pitched 6.1 innings and allowed two runs, eight hits and one walk to go along with four strikeouts.” The Rays last faced the 29 year-old RHP in 2012, tagging him for eight runs on 14 hits and five walks in 13 innings of work. Lefties seem to be having a good amount of success against Greinke this year, posting a .289 BA/.357 OBP/.507 SLG/.375 wOBA. Key match-ups: Matt Joyce (6-15, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB), Jose Lobaton (1-3), James Loney (2-8, HR, RBI, BB), Ryan Roberts (2-6, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB), Sean Rodriguez (3-9), Luke Scott (2-7, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB).
Clayton Kershaw: Per Rotowire, “Kershaw gave up two earned runs on six hits and two walks with five Ks in six innings Tuesday in St. Louis.” This should be an interesting game. Kershaw has gone no fewer than six innings only twice this season — back in April — while relinquishing no more than four runs twice as well. Interestingly enough, Kershaw is 0-3 in those four games. As Steve Kinsella of DRaysBay notes, “He is much like the National League version of Chris Sale as when he pitches he seldom gets run support. Over his last 5 outings he has a record of just 2-2 but a sparkling ERA of 2.00. He has worked 36 innings and allowed just 25 hits. He has struck out 37 batters and only issued 3 walks.” Nevertheless, as a potential candidate for the NL Cy Young Award, don’t expect a blowout by the Rays Sunday. Key match-ups: Jason Bourgeois (1-4), Yunel Escobar (2-5, RBI, BB).
Noteworthiness
Tampa Bay is 3-3 against the Dodgers, with all six games taking place at the Trop in 2002 and 2007. Tampa Bay is the only major league team to have never played at Dodgers Stadium.
With Matt Kemp on the DL as usual, look for Yasiel Puig to carry the offensive load along with Hanley Ramirez if he is healthy. They are two of the hottest hitters on the planet the last two months, and have helped the Dodgers get the division lead that they have today at 5 1/2 games.
Puigmania, eh?
Since the All-Start break the Dodgers bullpen leads the National League in holding the opposition to a .176 batting average and are second in the league with a 2.04 ERA.
Per DRaysBay, “The Rays will meet up with Carl Crawford who is back and healthy in 2013. Overall he is hitting .295/.344/.425 while proving that he can perform in the leadoff spot. He has played in 76 games and has 11 stolen bases while only getting nabbed 4 times.”
Ben Zobrist, right, slaps hands with Evan Longoria after scoring on Matt Joyce’s double to kick off the Rays’ three-run first inning. Zobrist had led off the game with a double off Diamondbacks starter Randall Delgado. Yunel Escobar later added a two-out, two-run double. (Photo courtesy of the Associated Press)
If I may be so frank, the pitching staff was less than stellar or sharp in last night’s 9-8 loss to the Diamondbacks. To add insult to injury, Chris Archer was pulled after only 30 pitches, suffering what has been called a minor injury — right forearm tightness. Though he’s not expected to miss much — if any — time, the thought that an injury could hamper an already short handed staff is nerve wracking, to say the least.
And even though the Rays hitters ground into five double plays, I’d be hesitant to place any of the blame on them — they did their part, scoring eight runs on 16 hits, including four doubles. No, the loss can and should be firmly blamed on the pitching staff. A few peripherals:
Chris Archer was in calm down mode after giving up a run in the first. Archer retired five batters in a row before he was pulled two outs into the second inning.
After not relenting any runs, earned or otherwise, since June 24th, Alex Torres gave up three earned runs in the third inning. That’s going to happen from time to time, however these three runs came at a pretty inopportune time.
Kyle Farnsworth, buddy…seriously. Farnsworth couldn’t get through a clean inning once again. He gave up two runs on two hits, including a Martin Prado double. He could only retire one batter before Joe Maddon pulled him in favor of Jake McGee with runners in scoring position. Farnsworth has now giving up six runs in his last six outings — a span of 3-1/3 innings overall.
Jake McGee also proved to be largely ineffective, culling together 1-2/3 innings of 3 H/1 ER/1 BB/1 K ball. Granted he came into the game under precarious circumstances, he wasn’t able to be the dominating pitcher he’s expected to be.
I couldn’t care less that Fernando Rodney has converted his last 18 save opportunities, he’s given up 15 hits and six walks in 16 outings, extending back to June 24th.
It just so happens that this is our favorite moment from last night’s debacle. You can read a blow by blow account of the game at our Tumblr page, or by clicking this screen shot.
Tampa Bay fell two-and-a-half games behind the Red Sox going into the weekend series against the Dodgers.
Noteworthiness
Maddon said the biggest issue to him was the performance of the bullpen… That they don’t usually give up that much.
Wil Myers, who was pulled from the game early, has experienced asthma symptoms while playing in the Arizona fall league. Myers noted that he’s fine, and expects to play Friday.
It was confirmed, Archer had a cramp in his right forearm. He could make the next start.
Don’t forget, the Rays have announced a number of ticket promotions designed to boost attendance down the stretch. Among them are:
1,000 lower level seats at Tropicana Field will be available online through raysbaseball.com for $9.53 for every remaining home game this season, in partnership with WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM.
A Buy Two, Get Two free deal on outfield seats for all for all remaining Tuesday home games beginning with the Mariners game on Aug, 13 – and including Sept. 10 vs the Red Sox. This offer is available online through raysbaseball.com via coupons that will be appearing regularly in the Times.
Another $2 Kids Night on Wednesday, Aug. 14 vs. Seattle. Fans who buy one full-priced ticket online in select seating areas can buy up to three tickets for kids 2-14 for $2 each. There also will be free parking in team lots for cars with four or more passengers. The first $2 Kids Night on July 31 drew drew 25,095, including approximately 9,700 kids.
And for any game, fans who buy four or more tickets via raysbaseball.com will receive 10 percent off face value.
How Longo Got His Groove Back, the highly acclaimed follow-up to Kevin Rodney Sullivan’s late 90’s romantic drama. (Photo courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports)
Ever heard the saying SSDD? No? Hmm… How about Déjà vu? Think back to last Wednesday when Wade Miley and the Diamondbacks handcuffed Jeremy Hellickson and the Rays in a 7-0 loss, at the Trop. Helly couldn’t command any pitches in that game and Arizona made him pay. The Diamondbacks tagged Helly for four runs on seven hits in 4-1/3 innings of work, while Miley shutdown the Rays, holding Tampa Bay to two hits and no runs over 6-1/3 innings of work.
Welp, at least the Rays got five hits and a run off Miley this time around — that’s approximately a 75% improvement in the hits column, and a 100% improvement in the runs column. And Hellickson? He, uh…at least he reached base twice on a fielder’s choice and his first major league hit — a single to left. Oh, and he pitched an out deeper into the game.
To his credit, Hellickson did a better job of commanding his pitches this time around — throwing 37 fastballs (one swinging) and 14 change-ups (two swinging) for strikes. However, too many of those pitches were left in hittable spots and he, again, was punished with four runs on five hits (including a fourth inning Cody Ross three-run blast to right-center), and three walks.
Jeremy Hellickson outcome chart (Courtesy of Brooks Baseball)
Oof.
The New What Next
AL pitcher and rookie of the month Chris Archer will attempt to recover from his 7 IP/7 H/4 ER loss last Friday. He’ll toe the rubber against 23-year old RHP Randall Delgado. The D’Backs acquired the fastball/curveball/change-up pitcher in the Justin Upton trade. Delgado’s fastball has good velocity, though it tends to flatted out when he leaves it up in the zone. That leads to a lot of flyballs and homers. Too, his change-up and curveball still need work. The curveball is his best offspeed pitch, though he doesn’t have a consistent feel for it. It can be a good swing-and-miss weapon when it is right. Don’t forget, you can check out our series preview here.
Rays 8/7/13 Starting Lineup
Zobrist 2B
Joyce RF
Longoria 3B
Myers CF
Loney 1B
Escobar SS
Johnson LF
Molina C
Archer RHP
Noteworthiness
The Rays start the day a game-and-a-half behind the Red Sox after Boston’s 15-10 (yes, you read that right) win over the Astros last night.
Hopefully Longo’s solo shot to left is another sign that he’s getting toasty once more.
With Desmond Jennings slated to miss the next two weeks, Sam Fuld figures to shoulder some added burden. The Process Report’s RJ Anderson asserts that this a good time to examine some of the recent changes to Fuld’s swing.
If you haven’t noticed, the Stadium Saga is once again heating up. Not so fast buckeroo, John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times notes, “There are still plenty of details to be worked out. For instance, an amendment to allow the Rays to look at stadium sites outside of St. Petersburg must be written.” While Ken Hagan of the Hillsborough County Commission is expected to cull together a search committee across the bay, Michael Sasso of the Tampa Tribune reports, “Coincidentally, the Pinellas County Commission is expected to discuss how to divvy up some of its hotel bed taxes at a Tourist Development Council meeting this week. One possibility is redirecting some of the bed tax money now going to pay off Tropicana Field bonds toward a new potential stadium, Pinellas County Commission Chairman Ken Welch said.” Noah Pransky of Shadow of the Stadium (and WTSP) adds “Pinellas County, home to Tampa Bay’s beaches, brings in a lot more bed tax money than Hillsborough County.”
The Rays have announced a number of ticket promotions designed to boost attendance down the stretch. Among them are:
1,000 lower level seats at Tropicana Field will be available online through raysbaseball.com for $9.53 for every remaining home game this season, in partnership with WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM.
A Buy Two, Get Two free deal on outfield seats for all for all remaining Tuesday home games beginning with the Mariners game on Aug, 13 – and including Sept. 10 vs the Red Sox. This offer is available online through raysbaseball.com via coupons that will be appearing regularly in the Times.
Another $2 Kids Night on Wednesday, Aug. 14 vs. Seattle. Fans who buy one full-priced ticket online in select seating areas can buy up to three tickets for kids 2-14 for $2 each. There also will be free parking in team lots for cars with four or more passengers. The first $2 Kids Night on July 31 drew drew 25,095, including approximately 9,700 kids.
And for any game, fans who buy four or more tickets via raysbaseball.com will receive 10 percent off face value.
