[picappgallerysingle id="3225667"]According to Marc Topkin, the Rays might be “very interested” in reliever Brian Fuentes to fill  the important closer role that Rafael Soriano handled last season. 

Quite honestly, if the money makes sense, this would seem like a great move for the Rays.  This is a guy who has strung together six straight 20+ save seasons for a number of teams.  He’s a 35-year-old veteran who has played on playoff contenders. 

And, aside from all experience he has, I see his greatest value in what he might be able to do for Jake McGee in the bullpen. As a lefty, Fuentes has been a successful closer.  McGee is often mentioned as a future closer for the Rays.  What better way to give him some on-the-job training than to bring in a successful lefty closer like Fuentes.

It has been reported a lot lately that the Mariners are shopping their closer David Aardsma. The Rays need a closer, and its no secret. Now, MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that the Mariners are looking for an impact bat in return for Aardsma. Would BJ Upton fit the bill as that impact bat? I am not suggesting that this would be a one-for-one deal, as it would probably include some prospects on each side, but I think this would be an awesome move for the Rays.

Aardsma would not be that expensive. He is going to arbitration with the Mariners, so he will likely earn more than his $2.75 million contract from 2010. He will probably be in the 3.5-4 million range. That is not too bad for the Rays to pay, and it is similar to what BJ Upton will earn for 2011. Aardsma is a hard-thrower, and would immediately step into the closing role for the Rays. The Rays would most likely be apprehensive to make this trade, but I think the Rays could definitely make it work with the addition of prospects into this trade.

In 2010, Aardsma had a good year. He ended the season with a 3.44 ERA and 31 saves for a struggling Mariners team. He also had a good 1.17 WHIP and 49 strikeouts in 49.2 innings pitched. Aardsma has a connection to the Rays, as he was college teammates with Jeff Niemann and Rays former first round pick Wade Townsend at Rice University. Also on that team were big leaguers Phillip Humber and Paul Janish.

I would love to see the Rays make a trade like this. It would be a high price to pay, sure, but look at what Rafael Soriano was able to do for the Rays. When the Rays have a solid closer, not the rotating closer that Joe Maddon loves, it is successful. I also think the Rays would be able to work out a contract extension for Aardsma once he got here, if the Rays could pull off this trade.

If the Rays do trade BJ Upton, I would see Leslie Anderson, Matt Joyce, and Desmond Jennings in the outfield, with Jennings stepping into center in place of Upton. I also think you would see Ben Zobrist rotating around the outfield, when he is not playing the second half of the second base platoon with Sean Rodriguez. This is, of course, assuming that he does not become the Rays everyday first baseman.

What do you think of this trade proposal? Share your thoughts in the comments.

This move would show the Rays are trying to do more than build the bullpen with young, unproven guys and we may have a chance to win next season. Hopefully the Rays can make this move and beat out the Yankees for him. The Rays do have one thing going for them in the fact that he will get a chance to close with the Rays.

The Nationals, who are trying to add a back-end reliever themselves, might reluctantly include Drew Storen or Sean Burnett in a trade.

Drew Storen was the 10th overall pick in the 2009 draft.  Most have deemed him as the closer-in-waiting for the Washington Nationals. If Adam Kilgore is correct in his assessment that the Nats could trade him, wouldn’t the bullpen depleted and youngster-aggressive Rays be jumping at the chance to get a pitcher like Storen?

He finished his rookie season with a 4-4 record, 3.58 ERA with five saves in seven chances.  He’s not yet a sure-thing.  But, the Rays don’t have have anything close to a sure-thing in their bullpen right now.  If you look at the big picture and recognize how important Rafael Soriano was to the Rays in 2010, obtaining a closer from a strength in starting pitching and Matt Garza makes sense. 

A trade of Matt Garza for Drew Storen would make sense now and for many years into the future.  If there’s really an opportunity here, I hope Andrew Friedman jumps on it.

Going into the off-season, CC said all the right things.  He liked here in St. Pete.  He wanted to stay.  Perhaps he’d even give a hometown discount.  Fat chance.

The highlights from today’s press conference introducing him as a Boston Red Sox millionaire, he said such things as he doesn’t care where he hits or fields.  Huh?  Here’s a guy who wouldn’t play centerfield or bat leadoff for the Rays.  Throw enough money at him and he’s happy cleaning toilets.

What has rubbed me wrong is his statement…

Instead of getting booed, they can boo somebody else now. I took my share of leftfield torture.”

Torture?  Seriously?  Somebody’s going to have to help me remember when Carl Crawford was subjected to booing in left field.  Anything that might resemble torture.  Why in the world would this guy say something as stupid as that?  Here’s a guy who was championed as the face of the franchise…even with Evan Longoria on the team. 

(Edit:  It’s been pointed out several times already that I totally blew interpretation of  this quote.  My apologies to CC on this one.  Looks like I had a chance to take a swipe at Red Sox fans and didn’t take it.  My bad.)

Again, CC, good luck in Boston.  But, I for one am hoping you might hear some boos here in Tampa Bay when you return.  Especially if it’s playing center batting leadoff.  There were times where the Rays would have been a better team with you playing there.

[picappgallerysingle id="9395240"]I have to admit, I’m sort of feeling like I’ve been hit in the groin this morning.

What a cold, wet slap in the face fans of the Tampa Bay Rays are waking up to this morning.  Tell me it’s just a dream.  A nightmare.  Did CC really sign with the Boston Red Sox?

No, I really don’t think Carl Crawford is a @$*^!.  Who can blame him?  $20 million per for seven years is ridiculous.  How could anyone turn that down, I guess?   CC has been and might always be my favorite Rays player.  All good things must come to an end. 

Going into this off-season, there was always a very real possibility that CC would end up with the Yankees or the Red Sox.  I’m pretty sure most of us hoped he would end up in Los Angeles playing with the Angels.   Or, perhaps with the Rangers, Astros or Tigers.  Anywhere but the Yankees or Red Sox.  But, money prevailed.

You might as well guarantee that the Yankees will now land Cliff Lee.  There’s no possible way they let him get away.  Carl ending up in Boston to play with Adrian Gonzalez and the Red Sox gang forces the Yankees to save face. 

And, as for the Rays?  Well, we try to be optimistic.  In 24 hours, Carlos Pena, Carl Crawford and maybe Jason Bartlett have left.  The starting pitching staff is still here.  Longoria and Upton and Zobrist remain.  But, a return to the playoffs may be more incredible than it was in 2008.

CC, I wish you well in Boston.  I just hope your post-season days are over.  You can play for the Red Sox.  I just don’t want you to win.

In order for the Rays to actually have a chance this season, they need a couple more bullpen arms and a bat or two. George Sherrill signed with the Braves yesterday for 1 year, 1.2 million. It makes you wonder why the Rays did not pursue him. That would’ve definitely been in their price range.

The Rays have been mediocre at best this winter meetings, and now there is talk that they could trade Garza for prospects. Could the Rays be writing off next year and rebuilding for a couple years from now? It sure looks like it, as they have not made any moves that will impact their team next year.

In other Rays news, according to the Heater, both Gary Sheffield and Johnny Damon would like to sign with the Rays. For me, either would be great veterans to fill the Rays DH void. Damon would give the Rays a better average along with his 20+ homers, but I think you take what you can get. Damon could also occasionally play in the outfield, giving him more options than Sheffield. Both would be great for the clubhouse and both live in the area. Hopefully the Rays can get a deal done with one of them to fill the DH void. Even if they are busts, they wouldn’t cost much.

In 2010, Guerrier pitched in 74 games in 2010, collecting a 3.17 ERA in the very good Twins bullpen. In his 71 innings pitched, he allowed only 7 homers. He had 13 games finished, but only 1 save last season. He had an even better year in 2009, pitching in 79 games and having a 2.36 ERA. He allowed 10 home runs that year. He doesn’t strike out very many batters, as he has a 5.9 K/9 in his 7 seasons. He does allow quite a few hits, allowing 8.4 hits/9 in his career.

Last season, he earned $3.15 million. I would expect him to earn a similar amount on the market, if not a little bit more. I do not think that is out of reach for the Rays, and it is certainly worth it for what Matt Guerrier gives you. The question is, could you get a guy like Bobby Jenks or Chris Ray for less?