bensheeps

From Tampa Bay Times article, "Or it could be elsewhere. Among contenders scouting Archer Sunday were the Brewers, D'backs, Dodgers, Phillies and Yankees, who Tuesday moved close to adding reliever Zach Britton from the O's. Some obviously are better positioned to give the Rays the kind of promising position players they'd like to add to the core they are integrating into the majors. A catcher and a power-hitting outfielder would seem pretty high on their shopping list." http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/2018/07/24/rays-kevin-cash-on-trade-market-i-think-well-be-very-active/ Is an offer of Woodruff, Nottingham, and one of Santana/Phillips/Ray close?

I've always thought that Archer would be a good addition with the hopes of helping him realize his "potential", but Hiura would be tough to move in a deal hoping for the potential. Got to vote "no" on a deal with Hiura but "yes" on exploring other options to get Archer here.

Will the Rays front office start to lean in the same direction as this beat writer and move Archer? https://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/2018/07/19/marc-topkin-rays-should-trade-chris-archer/

Another need for a "Like" button. Same thing happening in my house with my wife, my son's dog and I all yelling and dancing.

I post and Ramos leaves with an injury. [sarcasm]Anybody else I should put the hex on?[/sarcasm]

With recent injuries to Suter and Guerra (even if they are not serious) as well as the uncertainty of Davies and Nelson, I'm beginning to wonder if a deal for Ramos and ARCHER makes sense (ducks for the anticipated backlash). He doesn't have to be an ace, just better than the Miley/Wilkerson's of the world. What is a realistic proposal to get these two and more importantly what will the Rays ask for?

I will say it again. Yelich baserunning is a thing of beauty. No doubt he scores

Guess we have to get Jeffress in as well

I think by then we may have Nelson or Davies back Not to derail this discussion too much, but what is the latest on a timetable for Davies? I've seen nothing.

Yelich's baserunning is a thing of beauty.

Glad to see they taught Miller the important stuff right away - The "show me some love" symbol

Ok...grab a middle infielder to to see if you can find some more offense. But, more importantly, [sarcasm]lay the ground work for a Chris Archer deal later. Clearly this move is made after seeing Archer's latest tweet.[/sarcasm] @ChrisArcher22 Jun 7 To any parties interested, BMills is a great dude, teammate and player. He will help your team on many fronts. Looking forward to watching him drop head on people.

Sogard with the winning run

We had the same experience yesterday. Not a great way to start the day; but fitting foreshadowing of what was to come with the game.

2018 Brewers Season Predictions Win-Loss Record: 87-75 Playoffs (Yes, No): Yes Highest Playoff Level Achieved: Wild Card All Star Game Representative(s): Yelich, Knebel Offensive Player of the Year: Yelich Pitcher of the Year: Anderson Most Surprising Player: The starting pitcher traded for during the year Most Disappointing Player: Villar (looks more like 2017 than 2016)

Richard Justice not letting it go either. From his article, "Decision day: Tough calls for all 30 clubs" "Brewers General manager David Stearns is running out of time to add a starting pitcher, and maybe that means he doesn't intend to. But after watching Brent Suter and Wade Miley get roughed up in their most recent starts, here's a friendly reminder that Milwaukee has enough Minor League depth to pry Chris Archer from the Rays." https://www.mlb.com/news/pressing-decisions-for-all-30-mlb-clubs/c-269118662

We just have to get these two fans from draysbay.com a job in the Tampa F.O. Why Domingo Santana should be the Rays #1 target before Spring Training The Rays team is going to be just fine vs RHP in 2018. There’s enough talent there (Span, KK, Miller, Dickerson, and if they sign Duda)—that’s 5 above average bats vs RHP—and that doesn’t count Souza (121 wRC+ vs RHP in 2017), or Ramos or IF Duffy is healthy. It’s vs LHP that will be the struggle. At this point the only above average bats vs LHP the Rays have is Souza, Ramos, and Duffy—and that’s contingent on Ramos and Duffy being healthy. They have a heavy platoon split roster…and without adding a couple bats, they will be unwatchable vs LHP. Domingo Santana would be an incredible pairing with Souza. I don’t care about his defensive numbers. That’s why you have a DH. And strong, right handed bats like his don’t grow on trees. If the Rays don’t develop them, they can’t afford them. I get it can’t be at the expense of Archer—but an offer of Odorizzi and Colome should come pretty damn close. It sucks that the Rays really don’t have a pitcher that fits between the tier of Archer and Odorizzi available via trade. Santana matches the Rays greatest offensive weakness and also is not a platoon bat, something this offense greatly needs. He is also a bat that doesn’t just help now, but also during the next wave with four years of team control. Maybe they can sign him to a team-friendly extension. IMO, Santana is a player the Rays should be very aggressive to acquire. Posted by raysfaninminnesota on Jan 29, 2018 | 11:47 AM Agreed. Whether it be for a big deal for Archer (with two or three other very good pieces coming back) or for Odorizzi (with other smaller pieces by both teams to make it work if necessary), he is a guy that fits the Rays plan and budget moving forward. Posted by budman3 on Jan 29, 2018 | 1:36 PM https://www.draysbay.com/2018/1/29/16944560/tampa-bay-rays-news-and-links-rays-sign-minor-league-deals-christian-yelich-lorenzo-cain-ryan-weber#comments Also wonder if Aguilar is of any interest to the Rays as a chance to start the year in a 1B platoon with B. Miller so they can leave J. Bauers in the minors to start the year?

We just have to get these two fans from draysbay.com a job in the Tampa F.O. Why Domingo Santana should be the Rays #1 target before Spring Training The Rays team is going to be just fine vs RHP in 2018. There’s enough talent there (Span, KK, Miller, Dickerson, and if they sign Duda)—that’s 5 above average bats vs RHP—and that doesn’t count Souza (121 wRC+ vs RHP in 2017), or Ramos or IF Duffy is healthy. It’s vs LHP that will be the struggle. At this point the only above average bats vs LHP the Rays have is Souza, Ramos, and Duffy—and that’s contingent on Ramos and Duffy being healthy. They have a heavy platoon split roster…and without adding a couple bats, they will be unwatchable vs LHP. Domingo Santana would be an incredible pairing with Souza. I don’t care about his defensive numbers. That’s why you have a DH. And strong, right handed bats like his don’t grow on trees. If the Rays don’t develop them, they can’t afford them. I get it can’t be at the expense of Archer—but an offer of Odorizzi and Colome should come pretty damn close. It sucks that the Rays really don’t have a pitcher that fits between the tier of Archer and Odorizzi available via trade. Santana matches the Rays greatest offensive weakness and also is not a platoon bat, something this offense greatly needs. He is also a bat that doesn’t just help now, but also during the next wave with four years of team control. Maybe they can sign him to a team-friendly extension. IMO, Santana is a player the Rays should be very aggressive to acquire. Posted by raysfaninminnesota on Jan 29, 2018 | 11:47 AM Agreed. Whether it be for a big deal for Archer (with two or three other very good pieces coming back) or for Odorizzi (with other smaller pieces by both teams to make it work if necessary), he is a guy that fits the Rays plan and budget moving forward. Posted by budman3 on Jan 29, 2018 | 1:36 PM https://www.draysbay.com/2018/1/29/16944560/tampa-bay-rays-news-and-links-rays-sign-minor-league-deals-christian-yelich-lorenzo-cain-ryan-weber#comments Also wonder if Aguilar is of any interest to the Rays as a chance to start the year in a 1B platoon with B. Miller so they can leave J. Bauers in the minors to start the year?

While maybe not this exact plan, I think something like this is the only way for Archer to be a Brewer. Use Santana to replenish the farm system and then spin some of them (as well as ours) to Tampa for Archer.

I suppose that would be my expectation with Fan Fest tomorrow. Although having Yelich and Cain in attendance may be the excitement they were looking for. They do like to announce deals there, though. Looking forward to the WWE moment tomorrow. Stearns at the microphone on the main stage. Doors fly open. "Oh my gawd! That's Chris Archer!" Hey it worked for the Kevin Mench trade as the cameras followed him through the tunnels of Miller Park

Looks like I picked the wrong night to go out with the family. Just WOW

HH19 If the Yelich deal happens, how quick for the next to go down? Are they lined up that close? (I know, I'm getting greedy )

Rule 5 question... Let's say that Kyle Wren is part of the return in a Chris Archer trade today. Can the Rays put Wren on the 40-man and thus protect him from the Rule 5 draft? Or could Wren still be selected since he was not on a 40-man roster before the deadline even though he would have changed organizations?

Here's the take from draysbay.com https://www.draysbay.com/2017/10/23/16501042/tampa-bay-rays-trade-rumors-jake-odorizzi-miami-marlins-kansas-city-royals The Brewers are the loosest fit among the teams in this piece. The Brewers were surprisingly successful in 2017, winning 86 games and controlling the National League for the first half plus of the season. Back in November, Fangraphs projected the Brewers to win 73 games and come in fourth place. Despite this team success, the Brewers struggled with rotation depth and will need to add a starter or two in the offseason. Jimmy Nelson’s potentially career-altering labrum tear complicates the issue. Josh Hader and Brandon Woodruff are interesting arms, but hardly reliable for stability and innings in the rotation. Getting an arm to stick behind Chase Anderson and Zach Davies could be a priority this offseason. Milwaukee’s lack of willingness to deal prospects was clear when Milwaukee passed on the opportunity to add Sonny Gray or Jose Quintana. Convincing David Stearns to trade quality prospects will be difficult. If the Brewers do want to trade prospects for a pitcher in the offseason, players such as Monte Harrison, Lucas Erceg and Freddy Peralta could be part of discussions, along with Jonathan Villar as a cheap buy-low candidate. I'm ok with the "cheap buy-low candidates", but don't think prospects like those named should be spent on Odorizzi. How about a low cost Jesus Aguilar as someone to bridge the gap to their up-and-coming 1st base prospect?

Does this article on the Rays website suggest a possible match with the Brewers? http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/257071378/rays-biggest-needs-are-first-base-rotation/ "Biggest needs 1. First base: Logan Morrison and Lucas Duda gave the Rays plenty of firepower at the position in 2017. Both are free agents, so unless the market is unkind, there's a good chance each will sign elsewhere. Jake Bauers, who spent the season at Triple-A Durham and packs plenty of power, is a good bet to win the job. If Bauers is not able to win the job in the spring, the Rays might try to re-sign Duda or Morrison, if one doesn't get the offer he is looking for. Mike Napoli also might serve as an interesting option. The Rangers have an $11 million option for the veteran's services in 2018 with a $2.5 million buyout. He could provide a right-handed bat to complement Bauers, who hits from the left side." "Gray areas 1. Left field" "X-factors 1. Money to burn? The Rays should shed a good bit of payroll with the collection of free agents they're likely to lose. And the team could trade one or more of its higher-paid pitchers, which puts Jake Odorizzi and Archer front and center." Does a Santana & Aguilar package make sense for the start of an Archer deal?