Rays continue to roll through spring; Beat Jays 10-0. Plus Possible trade candidates...again

For the second straight day the Rays routed their way to a victory. Today the star was the Blue Jays defensive who had five errors in one inning. The fifth inning couldnt have gone worse for the Jays. The Rays scored 10 Runs and that was more than enough. Jonny Gomes is heating up again, going 3-4 with home run, tying him with Carlos Pena for the team lead(4). BJ Upton(2-4) and Carlos Pena(2RBI) continue to have quietly impressive springs. Eric Hinske started at 3B and Elliot Johnson at SS to show some defensive flexibility that will help them make the club.


It was all good news on the mound. Jason Hammel pitched only four innings by design to allow relievers to get more work in. Hammel was impressive, giving up only three hits and no walks. Trever Miller, Al Reyes, Dan Wheeler, Gary Glover and Troy Percival, the five keys to the Rays pen, pitched a combined five scoreless innings only giving up two hits and striking out six. The best sign was from Percival, who struck out two in his scoreless frame, after a disasterous outing on Sunday.

In other news:

Brian Anderson's career as a Rays isn't quite over yet. While his playing days are now done, the Rays were impressed by Anderson and named him assistant to Pitching Coach Jim Hickey. Anderson will assist in scouting and monitoring the staff. Quote from The Heater:

"It's not something I ever dreamed of," Anderson said. "I was honored."

Also we have some encouraging news on Scott Kazmir. Kazmir, who hasn't thrown of a mound in over a week, will begin tossing from 90-120 feet in the next few days and could see some time on a mound next week.

Reports are coming out of Seattle that the Rays maybe interested in OF Jeremy Reed.

"A veteran American League scout said Monday that Tampa Bay also is interested in Reed as a left-handed hitting outfielder to platoon with Jonny Gomes. The Rays might be willing to trade some young pitching to land someone who might get 350 or more at-bats this season."

Reed is left handed, can play CF and has two more years of team control. He played a career high 141 games in 2005, but only hit .254/.322/.352. Reed can hit righties ok, but can't touch a lefty(.271/.329/.396 compared to .165/.245/.226) for his career. We all know the only thing Gomes mashes better than lefties is blondes, so a platoon with Reed looks pretty good on paper. Plus by all accounts Reed is a very good defender.

The Mariners did have interest in Edwin Jackson and J.P. Howell last season.

Another option that may be available is Matt Murton of the Cubs. The Cubs just picked up former Jays OF Reed Johnson and have been trying to move Murton. The problem with Murton is he is suited for the corner OF and not much else. He is, however, a pretty good offensive player with a career line of .296/.365/.455, but like Gomes is much better against lefties.

Tampa Bay Rays: Jason Hammel RHP #49

40 Rays 40 Days










Jason Hammel
RHP #49
HT:6'6 WT:220

The Dish: Jason Hammel was originally selected by the Seattle Mariners in 23rd Round (686th overall) of 2000 draft. Hammel did not sign with the Mariners and was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 19th Round in 2001. Hammel spent three seasons in the lower minor leagues compiling a record of 17-16 in 51 starts. In 2005 Hammel started the season at AA Montgomery and had a good deal of success going 8-2 with a 2.66 ERA in 12 starts. He received a promotion to AAA Durham making 10 starts going 3-2 with a 4.12 ERA. He briefly started the 2006 season with the Rays making his debut on 4/11/06. He was sent down and made 24 starts for Durham, going 5-9 with a 4.23 ERA. The Rays recalled him in late August and he was in the rotation for the final month. His major league numbers were largely unimpressive; 0-6 with a 7.77 ERA and giving up 12.48 hits per nine innings. Hammel started the 2007 season at Durham and made 13 starts. The Rays called him up in June and Hammel made 24 appearances including 14 mostly unsuccessful starts for the Rays. Hammel didn't last more than six inning in any start.

2007 Numbers: (AAA Durham) 4-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 13 starts. (Rays) 3-5 with a 6.14 ERA in 24 appearances(14 Starts).



Jules Fantasy Impact: None, none what so ever.

Role for '08: While Hammel has been bad in the major leagues he probably will start the season with the Rays. He is out of options and would be claimed on waivers if the Rays tried to pass him through. He will mostly likely start the season as the long man out of the bullpen, but could be a trade candidate for the Rays.


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Rays comeback falls short; Indians win 12-10

Forget Jason Hammel it should be Jason Hammered. Hammel was absolutely lit up today by the Indians to the tune of NINE earned runs in 3.1 Innings. The Rays have their first losing streak of the spring after todays 12-10 loss to the Indians. They also have another streak going. For the second straight day a rotation candidate(Jackson yesterday)struggled leaving me to believe that Andy Sonnastine and Jeff Niemann should be the favorites for spots four and five in the rotation. The complex part of the equation is Hammel and Jackson are both out of options and aren't reliable now, but you'd hate to give them up for nothing in return. Al Reyes and Trever Miller pitched perfect innings. Grant Balfour gave up a run in his inning. And Finally Wade Davis and Jake "Jack" McGee finally had a scoreless appearances, going one inning a piece.

Eric Hinske is proving his value at the plate ripping an RBI double. Hinske may be the odds on favorite to stick with the team if Rocco goes on the DL. Hinske is hitting .462 this spring compared to John Rodriguez who is hitting 0.53. Hinske can also play more positions than Rodriguez and has a better track record in the Majors. My other favorite in the "Rocco Roster Spot Race", Justin Ruggiano, is hitting .231.

Evan "Encore" Longoria was 2-5 putting his average at .375, but that still may not be enough after Joe Maddon was quoted in the St. Petersburg Times as saying Longoria has had some "not so good" ABs this spring. It's seems more likely that even if Evan hits .500 he won't be making the team out of spring. B.J. Upton added a 3 run home run to his spring stat line. John Jaso had a 2-run double.

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