Though many Yankees fans have grown weary of Stephen Drew’s low batting average at second base (and “grown weary” is admittedly an understatement), Chad Jennings of the Journal News offers a well-reasoned explanation for the team’s decision to stick with Drew and Brendan Ryan over the likes of Rob Refsnyder and Jose Pirela. Jennings notes Refsnyder’s poor second half at Triple-A and questionable glovework and also points to the fact that Ryan has been an ideal platoon-mate at second base, providing good defense and a hefty .286/.333/.500 batting line against lefties this year. Jennings dispels several oft-used myths, such as the Yankees’ reluctance to rely on young talent or the claim that only manager Joe Girardi would continue relying on a struggling veteran such as Drew.
A few more notes from the AL East…
- Darren O’Day’s time with the Orioles is quite possibly winding down, writes Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com. Despite being a bit older than typical free agents — he’s 32 and will pitch next season at 33 — O’Day is primed to cash in on a nice free-agent deal due to his recent string of dominant seasons. Manager Buck Showalter offered high praise for the sidearming setup man: “Darren, there’s no doubt he’s the leader of that bullpen,” said Showalter. The manager noted O’Day’s role in keeping the bullpen a tight-knit unit, noting that his shoes would be tough to fill if he ultimately signs elsewhere upon hitting the open market.
- Carlos Pena is humbled and grateful for the opportunity to sign a contract and retire as a member of the Rays organization, he tells Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. “As much as the Rays have meant to me, for me to even believe that I meant the same to the Rays as well, I couldn’t be more grateful,” said Pena. “This is a dream come true to end my career in such a way, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
- Rays top prospect Blake Snell was disappointed not to be called up in September, writes Topkin in a separate column, but the left-hander nonetheless has hopes of making the team out of Spring Training in 2015. Snell, 22, hadn’t pitched above A-ball heading into the season but broke out with an absurd 1.61 ERA, 10.9 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 134 innings between High-A, Double-A and Triple-A. Baseball America named Snell its minor league player of the year as a result of the strong performance. Snell could very well have a chance at cracking the roster next season, especially considering the fact that Topkin has recently said it seems likely that Tampa Bay will deal from its surplus of rotation options this offseason.
- Baseball America’s Matt Eddy examines Snell’s historic minor league season, noting that he’s tied for the second-lowest composite ERA for a starter since 2003, trailing only Justin Verlander. Of the 10 pitchers to have posted a composite 1.60 ERA or better across multiple minor league levels, Snell is the only one who reached Triple-A in his dominant season; the others spread their dominance across lower levels. Snell’s season, Eddy writes, was one of the best in recent minor league history.
The Rays have to seriously consider relocating for the sake of their scouting department and players. They deserve it and people deserve to witness that talent in person as well as making competitive contract offers.
Montreal anyone???
They’ve been trying to relocate to Tampa. Which has more prime locations for other bay area Cities to easily access the stadium. They have plenty of fans, (13th overall in tv). The Rays would see more consistent attendance in a more prime location than the trop is
NTM just having a field to play on that’s anything but the Trop will be much better, that place is horrible for fans and players
The Tampa Bay Rays of St. Petersburg
I know. I’m just dreaming of Montreal baseball. They do need to do something though. The fans, the players and the franchise deserve better than the status quo.
A Montreal team is a tall order because of the stadium issue. They can’t play in the Big O and the city won’t give a dime to a new one after that disaster.
The Rays are turning a large profit and have high ratings on TV and radio ….don’t let the owners cry poor when they are making money check your facts. The Rays will move to tampa and average around 21k a game which is just fine
O’Day has been a very good setup man for several years but getting good setup men is a combination of luck/scouting/coaching. No reason to break the bank for a guy like this.
Depends on circumstances. Boston should pursue O’Day as one of their top priorities. Good track record of consistency with good control. Sox are desperate for a complete bullpen teardown. Why not start here?
There is in Detroit. Best they seem able to come up with is Al Alburqurque. That isn’t getting the job done.