As I have mentioned before, I have had a lot of time to think since the Rays have done nothing but make roster moves and lose a key piece of the bullpen. I know I wrote an article similar to this earlier in the offseason, but I have a few new pieces.
Right field options:
By Trade:
Hunter Pence RF Hou: I have always liked Pence. He has a great combination of power, speed and contact and is a decent fielder. He had an off year last year and may not cost as much due to that. He is a young option and would go great in the 2nd or 5th place in the lineup. We might be able to land him for Jeff Niemann and Ried Brignac since they have n older Tejada at short. We may need to give up one maybe two lower end prospects as well. Not a bad price for a great outfielder like Pence.
Acquisition grade: A-
Jeff Francour RF Atl: Francour is a great young player. The only problem is that the only good year he had was his rookie year. He's not done too well since. He may just need a change in uniform and a better team to start him back up. He would take less of a package than Pence would since he is a lesser quality player. He has great skills, he just needs to figure out how to use them. We may be able to land him for Mitch Talbot and Justin Ruggiano if we can convince the Braves GM like we did last year in the Willy Aybar trade that proved to be very very one sided.
Grade: B+ if we can get him at a low cost.
By Free Agency:
Adam Dunn OF: Dunn would be the prolific power hitter our team has been looking for. He would be perfect next to Pena. The only problem is Dunn strikes out a lot. Pena does not. He hits for a low average which is not what you would want on a very fast team like the Rays because the Rays can run themselves into scoring position and you would have Dunn up to get them right out of it. Dunn is a slow outfielder and may be best fit for a DH. He would be a very pricey DH when we have Willy Aybar who could do as good if not better since he is a switch hitter and Aybar hits for great average and could hit 25-30 homers if he played a full season.
Grade:C- He is not good enough at fielding and would eat a ton of salary.
Raul Ibanez OF: Ibanez is entering the last stages of his career but he is still producing. Last season he had a .293 average and 23 homers. He would be exactly what we are looking for at the plate. He would be a great contact hitter for us. He is iffy in the outfield but would be better than Dunn.
Grade: B- Ibanez would provide exactly what we are looking for and would be a great clubhouse presence.
Designated Hitters:
By free agency:
Jason Giambi DH: Giambi is an older player at 38, but because of this he would likely not make as much money as he did with the Yankees. I know what your thinking, why would we hire a former beloved Yankee? Because he would fill a void and would be a good presence. He hits for power like we need.
Grade: C
Milton Bradley DH: Bradley is coming off a great year last year with the Rangers. He hits 30-35 homers and can hit for a good average. he is only 31 and could play the outfield if we absolutley needed it as an emergency last outfielder basis.
Grade: B
Closers
By Free Agency:
I only have one more since I covered most in the last article.
Chad Cordero CP: Cordero is coming off surgery and has been somewhat injury prone since he begun his career. He would likely start as a middle reliever and if he is good move into the closers role. We would not need to pay him much at all and he has been a great closer for the Nats in the past.
Grade C
