So, I bring up the Rays.  The Angels would seem to have a glaring hole in their lineup.  If they call Andrew Friedman looking for a first baseman, namely Hank Blalock, should Friedman listen, or hang up the phone?

Here’s my serious question.  Could a trade be worked out that would send Blalock to Los Angeles that would bring Scott Kazmir back to Tampa Bay?  Kaz is struggling as a starter.  A record of 3-5 with a 6.34 ERA is ugly.  Blalock and, say, Andy Sonnanstine for Scott Kazmir seems fair.  It doesn’t have to be Sonnanstine.  We can negotiate someone from the minor league system. 

The Rays just shook off a season-ending injury to JP Howell.  How about adding Scott Kazmir to the bullpen as a lefty specialist?

I realize Burrell falls into the “lightning in a bottle” category, but he did hit 33 home runs two years ago in the National League.

Riggans at least stands a chance at a big league roster spot.  The Mets’ list of catchers include such no-names as Omir Santos, Chris Coste, Henry Blanco and Josh Thole.  We wish him good luck.

Has anyone noticed that Aubrey Huff has yet to find a home for 2010?  No, I’m not even remotely suggesting that the Rays pursue bringing him back to Tampa Bay. 

The Baltimore Sun ran an update a couple of days ago noting what seems to be a lack of interest in the ex-Rays slugger. 

Perhaps the .189 batting average with just two home runs down the stretch in 40 games with the Detroit Tigers is having an impact on the lack of interest. 

“It was frustrating. I was expecting to be an everyday player, but it just didn’t happen. … There’s no doubt when I played, it wasn’t pretty. There are no excuses performing like I did, but I have been an everyday player my whole life, and the whole situation took me by surprise.”

Following in the footsteps of Rocco Baldelli and Scott Kazmir, Akinori Iwamura purchased a full-page ad in today’s St. Petersburg Times to express his gratitude to the Tampa Bay Rays and fans. 

“Thank you to the club owners and management, to Joe Maddon and the coaches, to my fellow players and most of all, to you, the wonderful fans who immediately made me feel so welcome so far away from my home.  I hope you’ll remember me with good thoughts for my efforts on the field and even for my “Rayhawk” haircut during our run to the World Series.”

Aki’s a class act.  And, the Rays turned him into Rafael Soriano by way of Jesse Chavez, so his value will continue on.

He published a thank you add in today’s St. Petersburg Times.

An excerpt:

“Now, as I move to the next chapter in my life and career, I want to that you, the fans, for all your support and your continued support of the Rays.

I would also like to thank the Rays’ organization, management, my former teammates, and the media, all of whom have been a part of this journey and it’s memories.”

Good luck Kaz, we miss you. You will always be better than Batting Practice Sonnanstine.

Actually, it’s been quite a news-making week for Guillen.  Just a few days ago, he was quoted in the Kansas City Star as saying he was “embarrassed” by the money he’s making this season.

“If I suck, then I suck. And I suck. That’s the way I’m playing. If you suck, you suck. You have to take responsibility in this game. Right now, that’s the way I feel.

“Yes, I suck.” 

I wonder what kind of quotes he made after the injury.

Jason Hammel is 5-4 with a 4.07 ERA so far this season with the Colorado Rockies.  Better than that, he’s coming off a June where he was 4-0 with a 3.40 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP.  These are pretty impressive numbers from someone who could rarely manage more than a spot-start with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Hammel spent the 2008 season in the Rays bullpen, mostly in mop-up duty.  In the minors, he made 110 starts compared to only seven relief appearances.  Overall, he was 37-34 with a 3.46 in the minor leagues.  But, when he came up to the big leagues, he couldn’t hold onto a starting job. 

The Rockies pretty much knew when they acquired him this spring that he would be a starter.  And, if you listen to Rockies’ pitching coach Bob Apodaca, he’s not suprised with the results.

“I’m not surprised at all.  But I think his emphasis has changed. He thought of himself more as a breaking-ball pitcher. We needed to get him thinking about the importance of his fastball.  He has such good off-speed stuff — his slider, curve, changeup — that I think he underestimated and maybe didn’t emphasize his fastball enough.”

Over on www.raysallday.com, I compare the Jason Hammel trade for Aneury Rodriguez to the Edwin Jackson trade for Matt Joyce.  In the end, I think the Hammel trade could be worse.

photo:  commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jhammel.jpg

Jonny Gomes seems to have latched onto the Cincinnatti Reds roster, putting up decent numbers in limited amount of playing time since being recalled from Triple-A Lousville.  He’s hitting .313 with five HR and 16 RBI in 83 at bats.

It would also appear that the Reds fans have latched on to Jonny Gomes, much like Rays fans did.  Gomes’ hometown newspaper in Santa Rosa, CA ran an article about his popularity among Rays fans. 

See if this type of quote sounds familiar:

Wrote one fan to the Reds’ Web site. “Gomes is a good player. He makes up for any natural lack of natural ability with his desire and hustle. This guy gives 110 percent on every play, and you can’t teach that. I would love to see him in the line up daily, as it will give the other guys some meaning to the word hustle.”

It seems like every time there’s discussion about what the Rays lack compared to last year, there’s talk of clubhouse leadership being lost with the departure of Cliff Floyd.  That may be true, but it’s hard to replace the energy that Jonny Gomes brought to the team. 

photo: flickr.com/photos/62373848@N00/536849079

In the final results of All-Star voting, Josh Hamilton has been selected as the third starter in this year’s game in St. Louis.  Clearly, this selection is based on last year’s performance and not on what he has done this year.

Last year, Josh hit .304 with 32 home runs and 13o RBI.  Clearly a sensational season.  And, perhaps more important in his nationwide appeal, he put on a spectacular display of power in the Home Run Derby of the 2008 All-Star festivities. 

This year, however, has been plagued by injury and average statistics.  He’s currently on rehab making his way back from abdominal surgery on June 9.  He has played in only 35 games, hitting .240 with just six home runs and 24 RBI. 

Obviously, his appearance in this year’s game will be a gift of the fan vote.  He would not have been selected by the players or by manager Joe Maddon without it.  Torii Hunter or Carl Crawford would have been much more deserving selections based on this year’s performance. 

photo:  picasaweb.google.com/…/q76vqNX2kDt1wsv15ReH9g