Rays claim Russ Springer [Latest: Release Julio from AAA; DFA Joe Dillon and R.J. Swindle]

[brewdude15]

The Rays sure are making plenty of pickups lately. Not sure if Springer is the missing link to get them back into the postseason though...

[JoeHova]

link?

[crewcrazy]

Here's a link from the St. Pete Times. The Rays will owe the roughly $1 million left on his deal this year. Oakland let him go to allow him to pitch for a contender while also taking a look at some of the young guys they've been wanting to bring up now that they're out of it.

[JoeHova]

Thanks for the link. Springer has had an interesting career. He's only been good 3 or 4 times in his career, yet he's hung around for 17 seasons. Lately he's been useful, but he's 40 years old. Seems worth the risk for the Rays though. Even they can afford $1 million and he can just be dropped if he doesn't work out.

[brewdude15]

In a corresponding move, Jorge Julio has been released. He had a 5.96 ERA and a 24/15 K/BB ratio in 22 2/3 innings this season with Triple-A Durham.

 

Also, the Rays have DFA'd both Joe Dillon and R.J. Swindle (yes, the R.J. Swindle they just claimed on waivers the other day).

 

Link and Link

[hawing]

They acquire ex-Brewers just to DFA them? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[MNBrew]

Not a good day for 1/3 of the Tampa players who are former Brewers.

 

Looks a bit more secure for Kapler, Gross, Choate, Balfour, & Shouse (thanks to his getting a 2-yr. deal). Jury's still out on Jeff Bennett re: his Tampa performance thus far.

[JoeHova]

Jury's still out on Jeff Bennett re: his Tampa performance thus far.

Yes. Tampa can't have been happy about that grand slam he surrendered to another former Brewer yesterday.