[picappgallerysingle id="5360169"]Ok. Everyone is excited that the Pat Burrell era is over. I am too. I’ll admit, I thought the Pat Burrell free agent signing two years ago was a good one. But, it failed.
So, the Rays have turned the page. They have fired Pat Burrell and promoted Hank Blalock. My thoughts on Blalock? Sell high.
If any team comes asking about whether Hank Blalock is available, I listen. I try to work out a trade that makes the Rays a better team. An arm for the bullpen. A worthwhile piece for the minor leagues. I listen.
Let’s face it. Hank Blalock has proven himself at the major league level. He hits for power, doesn’t do much for batting average, and gets hurt some. And he can play third or first.
If there’s a team in baseball that asks what it would take to get him, I listen. The Rays have alternatives in Durham that makes Hank Blalock expendable.
Hank Blalock is not Pat Burrell. And, for the moment, that’s a good thing. But, if another team values him more than the Rays do, I let him go. The Rays have alternatives in Durham. Heck, if it means that Desmond Jennings appears in a Rays jersey, I jump up and down.
For the moment, I think a Blalock departure would signal a Matt Joyce or Dan Johnson arrival. Heck, Willy Aybar could play just about every day as the designated hitter. But, the Rays have alternatives. It’s time to put the best team on the field and the roster. 2010 is the season to go for it all.
