Update: Here’s a tentative mock-up of the new design we’re working on. It’s still a little off the mark, but you get the idea. What do you think?
The new what next
Folks, I was wondering if there is anyone out there that could combine the classic Raymond Pettibon/Black Flag “My War” shirt design, WARp (wins against replacement), and a prominent Ray, like BenZo or James Shields? The design would have to be baseball oriented of course. Maybe it could have a bat and and ball or something like that, with the words My WARp underneath. We’re hoping to tie the image together with the blog in some way, and perhaps make shirts and stickers out of the image. You’d get the artistic credit, as well as the comfort in knowing that you helped out our site. So, who’s an artist???
Many of you are aware of that the Rays may be in the market to replace one Upton with the other. An acquisition of this caliber could give Rays some badly needed offense in the middle of their lineup, which is a plus. Overall, making a trade to Arizona for Justin Upton does seem intriguing, however the question stands; is this even feasible? Let’s see.
First off, OF Justin Upton is a career .335 BABIP/.278 BA/.357 OBP/.475 SLG/.832 OPS/.359 wOBA hitter, who’s averaged 18 homers and 61 RBI per season in his six seasons in the majors. Upton’s offensive production isn’t dissimilar to BJ, though with a lower strikeout percentage (22.9% vs 25.1%) and a higher OBP, Justin gets on base at a greater clip. Also like his older brother, Justin presents a threat on the base paths which is a plus. Defensively speaking, though he isn’t as dynamic of an outfielder as BJ, with a 9.6 UZR, a .916 RZR, and a .967 FP, Justin could be a good addition in the outfield. I’d imagine he’d get the opportunity to see a good amount of playing time with a lefty on the mound, and Maddon pinching Matt Joyce from the lineup. But, where do you put Upton, traditionally a right-fielder, when Joyce is in the lineup? Do you move Desmond Jennings to center, Joyce to left, and put Upton in right?
Another caveat, he’s slated to make $9.75 MM in 2013, $14.25 MM in 2014, and $14.5 MM in 2015, and well…that’s a sizeable chunk of change. Buster Olney seems to think that Tampa Bay could make it work. “The Rays could make that work, but it would mean dedicating roughly 20% of their payroll to one player,” Olney noted in a recent piece on his blog. There’s also the question of what Arizona would expect in return.
The Diamondbacks are in the market for a young short-stop, though I doubt that they’d be satisfied with only receiving Rays über prospect, Hak-Ju Lee. They’re seeking something that the Rays seem to have a plethora of, starting pitching. As Marc Topkin put it, “As much as it might pain them — especially with the AL East looking quite winnable — to trade James Shields or Jeremy Hellickson, in a free agent market that thins quickly after Zack Greinke, and in which Anibal Sanchez is seeking $90 million over six years, they should certainly have the opportunity to get the big bat(s) they need.”
I just don’t see the Rays being able to afford Upton in 2014 and 2015. Hedging starting pitching for what could be considered a one season rent-a-player just doesn’t seem like a wise move. Then again, many feel that the Rays chose to exercise James Shields contract option because his trade equity is high, and they stand to get a lot for him in return.
Nevertheless if one thing is certain, it’s that Andrew Friedman and company aren’t going to go out of their way to reveal their plans any time soon. That’s understandable when you consider that the Rays are at a competitive disadvantage. Friedman has made a few off the cuff comments following the recent GM meetings, most notably that they could be aggressive early this off-season rather than waiting until Friedmanary, which has been their pattern. With the level of conjecture surrounding Justin Upton, things should get interesting in the next few days and weeks.
Could this Upton take the place of the other? The rumor mill is turning, that’s for sure.
Update: As expected, BJ Upton has turned down the Rays $13.3 MM qualifying offer. According to MLB Trade Rumors, “With Upton turning down the one-year, $13.3 MM offer, the Rays will now receive a compensatory draft pick if Upton signs with another team as a free agent. It was no surprise that Upton declined the offer and it seems as if it’s as equally a foregone conclusion that he will leave Tampa Bay, as the Rays can’t afford the expensive, multiyear contract that Upton will surely command on the open market.” Ironically, another Upton has been mentioned as a potential replacement, current Arizona Diamondbacks out-fielder Justin Upton.”
Like his brother, Justin Upton, 25, has been mentioned as trade fodder for the last couple of seasons. Upton is a dynamic hitter with a career .832 OPS. He also comes with a fairly reasonable contract, in line to make $9.75 MM in 2013, $14.25 MM in 2014, and $14.5 MM in 2015. It’s been speculated that James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson or David Price would have to be dealt in order to obtain the younger Upton, though it’s doubtful that Price will be going anywhere before the start of the 2014 season. Let the rumors fly.
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Just a few nuggets of information, lovingly bundled together for you in one handy piece.
First, the Rays have extended a qualifying offer to BJ Upton for a one year, $13.3 MM contract. Under the new MLB rule, Upton has a week to decide whether to sign or not. If (and when) Upton signs with another team, the Rays will receive a compensatory draft pick, as per the latest collective bargaining agreement. The Dodgers, Phillies, and Nationals all have rumored interest in Upton.
Also, Tampa Bay has reinstated C Robinson Chirinos and OF Brandon Guyer from the 60-day DL. They’ve also added Frank De Los Santos to the 40-man roster. Chirinos missed the entire 2012 season, following a concussion incurred at the end of Spring Training. Guyer missed the majority of the 2012 season after an injury which preceded shoulder surgery.
Finally, below is a picture that speaks a thousand words. The Rays pitching staff really did rewrite the record books in 2012! For once I’m not speaking in hyperbole.
The American League Cy Young Award finalists were just announced. Tampa Bay Rays ace, David Price, is one of the three finalists, along with Justin Verlander and Jared Weaver. And though Fernando Rodney isn’t in the top three, it’ll be interesting to see where he ends up among the other potential Cy Young candidates. As Marc Topkin put it, “(the) top 5 would be an accomplishment.”
RA Dickey, Gio Gonzalez, and Clayton Kershaw are listed as the National League Cy Young candidates.
The Cy Young winners will be announced November 14.
Baseball America just released their list of minor league free agents. Included on the list in the Rays organization are RHP Matt Tora, first-basemen Ryan Garko and Henry Wrigley, utility infielder Will Rhymes, and out-fielder Jesus Feliciano. You can see the list of Rays minor league free agents below. I suspect that things could get interesting.
Matt Torra has become a household name with many familiar with the Rays organization, as have Will Rhymes and Jesus Feliciano. Henry Wrigley had a monster year in Triple-A, and looked as though he had more than an ice-cubes chance to (at least) get an opportunity to fill the assumed hole at first in 2013.
Tampa Bay Rays Minor League Free Agents
RHP: Chris Andujar (HiA), Bryan Augenstein (AAA), Jay Buente (HiA), Matt Buschmann (AA), Lance Pendleton (AAA), Ryan Reid (AAA), Matt Torra (AAA)
C: Craig Albernaz (AA), Nevin Ashley (AAA)
1B: Ryan Garko (AA), Henry Wrigley (AAA)
2B: Will Rhymes (AAA)
3B: Omar Luna (AA)
OF: Brad Coon (AA), Jesus Feliciano (AAA), Isaias Velasquez (AA)
Folks, I was wondering if there is anyone out there that could combine the classic Raymond Pettibon/Black Flag “My War” shirt design, WARp (wins against replacement), and a prominent Ray, like BenZo or James Shields? The design would have to be baseball oriented of course. Maybe it could have a bat and and ball or something like that, with the words My WARp underneath. We’re hoping to tie the image together with the blog in some way, and perhaps make shirts and stickers out of the image. You’d get the artistic credit, as well as the comfort in knowing that you helped out our site. So, who’s an artist???
