With all our pitching prospects, I can't imagine us not making more deals for position players. With Tampa's overcrowded position player farm system and lack of pitching, I wonder what pitching prospects it would take to pry BJ Uptown from Tampa. He could make a good OF and will end up a great hitter, IMO. Uptown/Cabrera/Ramirez/Hermida could be a good, young nucleus for the future.

The way that BJ played this year, he'll only have a job in the majors if he stays in the American League. If he's anything other than a DH, then it will be a very long season for his team. He can hit fine, but his 53 errors in AAA last year were mindnumbingly awful. Most Little League players can do better than that.

 

Maybe Joey Gathright would be a good bet? He's very fast (some would say the fastest player in baseball), he can hit for average, and he won't be anything better than a fourth outfielder for the Rays next season since they have Carl Crawford, Rocco Baldelli, Delmon Young, and Jonny Gomes... a very talented group of young outfielders.

Don't give up on Upton yet. Those errors came at the tough position of shortstop and were largely attributed to a lack of focus.

I wouldn't mind picking up Joey Gathright to patrol CF.....how's his arm?

Probably better than JP's. I've been watching the Rays video highlights from this season, and he made some pretty impressive plays in the field too. He seems like a very, very fun player to watch. (Go on the Devil Rays website, and look in their video archives for August 2005. There are some nice highlights of Joey there.)

 

Of course, remember, it's the Devil Rays. They want, need, and crave good young pitching.

 

This means that if Joey were on the trading block, they'd seek Vargas or Olsen, maybe both of them.

I don't think the Rays are parting with Upton. I also don't think that they would trade one of their outfielders just to trade, although I think it is in their best interest to part with one of them. I was just reading their site today cause I'm interested to see what happens with Delmon Young, who seems to be ready for the majors.

Can Gathright actually play CF? Can he read fly balls? Does he get decent jumps? Des he know his position on the turf?

I take back what I said about Pie...the D-Rays need vetern bullpen arms, give them Villone, Mota, and $$ for Gathright.

Updating what I said about Gathright... MLB.com says that the Padres are interested in getting him, according to the Hot Stove report today.

Updating what I said about Gathright... MLB.com says that the Padres are interested in getting him, according to the Hot Stove report today.

 

i doubt it since they just traded for Mike Cameron

There was talk of the Yankees going after Cameron now.

Paul Loduca for Fernando Nieve

Juan Pierre for Renyel Pinto, Angel Guzman

 

NOTE THERE IS A RUMOR PIERRE IS NEXT. TO CUBS FOR PINTO AND 2 OTHER MINOR LEAGUERS

I take back what I said about Pie...the D-Rays need vetern bullpen arms, give them Villone, Mota, and $$ for Gathright.

 

Devil Rays generally consider their bullpen strong.

Well, I still think our natural trading parther is the DRays. They have the best position player farm system and we now likely have the best pitching farm system. Maybe their new owner will realize they can't rape every team like they did with the Mets. They can only play 3 OFers and Upton seems like he's destined for RF or LF. We could make a trade that helps both teams. I'd give up Vargas in a second for Upton, but I doubt the DRays would.

 

I'm a big fan of Gathright as well. He'd look good in CF if we can pull off a trade of Pierre for a solid group of prospects. Baldeli (sp?), Crawford and Young is their future OF. The rest are trade bait for pitching prospects, IMO.

Well, I still think our natural trading parther is the DRays. They have the best position player farm system and we now likely have the best pitching farm system. Maybe their new owner will realize they can't rape every team like they did with the Mets. They can only play 3 OFers and Upton seems like he's destined for RF or LF. We could make a trade that helps both teams. I'd give up Vargas in a second for Upton, but I doubt the DRays would.

 

I'm a big fan of Gathright as well. He'd look good in CF if we can pull off a trade of Pierre for a solid group of prospects. Baldeli (sp?), Crawford and Young is their future OF. The rest are trade bait for pitching prospects, IMO.

 

 

They arent going to trade Upton.

I would love to get Gathright. Only problem is what they are asking for him.