The GBT - The Good, The Bad and The Telling sandwich, where The Bad is nice and lean and the The Telling is ripe.
Red Sox 3, RAYS 2 (boxscore)
THE GOOD: They were minor league games, but Chris Archer and Jake Odorizzi got stretched out nicely on Saturday. Archer struck out 8 and walked just 2 in 6.2 scoreless innings during the triple-A game. He threw 105 pitches (65 strikes) and appears ready for his Opening Day start. Meanwhile, Odorizzi was equally impressive in the double-A game, striking out 8 in 7 innings. He allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He threw 100 pitches (69 strikes).
THE BAD: Alex Colome will start the season on the 15-day DL…The Rays have lost several more high-round draft pick as busts. Outfielder James Harris, who was the #60 pick overall (between the first and second rounds) in the 2011 draft, has been released. Harris never advanced past single-A, hitting .215 with a .291 OBP in 4 seasons. Shortstop Brandon Martin, the 38th pick overall in the 2011 draft has also been released. He missed the entire 2014 season and never advanced past single-A, hitting .211 with a .281 OBP in 3 seasons. Outfielder Andrew Toles, who was the Rays’ minor player of the year in 2013 has been released according to Marc Topkin. He was a 4th round pick in 2010 but never advanced past high-A.
THE TELLING: Juan Francisco can opt out of his minor league contract on April 5…Tickets are still available for Opening Day although the Rays do expect a sellout. Gates will open at noon and players will greet fans at the doors…New…Alex Cobb played catch on Saturday. Drew Smyly threw another bullpen session on Sunday…Matt Andriese will start today. Jim Miller and Everett Teaford will start the split-squad games tomorrow.
THE JUNKYARD DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- Scott Diamond, a free agent starting pitcher who made 24 starts for the Twins in 2013, worked out for the Rays recently. [Darren Wolfson]
- Marc Topkin takes a look at the spots still up for grabs including the final 2 rotation spots: “the Rays are looking at internal and at least a few external options to join Chris Archer, Nathan Karns and Jake Odorizzi [TampaBay.com]
- Brad Boxberger expected to get most of the save opportunities with Jake McGee out. Grant Balfour is expected to be ready to start the season. [TampaBay.com]
- Here is a closer look at the battle for the second catcher position. [TBO.com]
- Ken Rosenthal says the Rays are one of several teams looking for starting pitchers. [FoxSports.com]
- Jon Heyman is not sure how the Rays will be able to put together a great season. [CBSSports.com]
Orestes Destrade spoke with Rocco Baldelli about his new role.
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4 Comments
Just looked at the "Player Nicknames" section of the site...of the 14 people on there, 11 are no longer with the team. THAT'S turnover.
I thought the release of Andrew Toles was curious. There was a suspension issue last year I think? Could it be related to that? Seemed a little quick to give up on him.
I don't think Toles was suspended last year. I seem to remember reading he went home to take care of "personal issues". There must be something big about him that hasn't gone public because he put up some really good numbers in 2013. Considering how long they gave Sale to clean up his mess, this seems like a really quick trigger for Toles.
It seems Silverman, for better or worse, has cleaned house of lots of the problem children in the system. For whatever reason, Friedman did not do so. Most of these guys look like lost causes, but it does give me a little pause. If I were Tim Beckham, I'd make sure I took advantage of my MLB at-bats this season, because these guys aren't messing around.
BTW -- that is all good by me. Glad to see the org. with some urgency.