Today the Surprise Rafters begin their season. Toby Hyde at Mets Minor League Blog has a great write up on the Mets players involved in the AFL.
Those players include:
RHP Jenrry Mejia
RHP Scott Moviel
LHP Eric Niesen
RHP Josh Stinson
2B Reese Havens
1B Ike Davis
SS Ruben Tejada
LF Lucas Duda
You can follow the Surprise Rafters game today already in progress on MLBGameday.
To take a peek at their official MLB website go here: Surprise Rafters
Update: Ike Davis hit a Grand Slam in the top of the 3rd to make the score 5-1. I like Ike.
Update: Surprise Rafters roll to a 17-4 win. Davis, Duda and Tejada combine to go 8/16 drive in 9 runs and 15 total bases. Good job future.
30 comments
trs86
10/13/2009-4:23pm at 4:23 pm (UTC -4)
I think Ike is going to be a stud. Bad part of this game is Ian Kennedy is pitching for the Rafters.
trs86
10/13/2009-4:28pm at 4:28 pm (UTC -4)
Things could be worse, saw this on mlbtr
Zambrano, Soriano, Dempster, Ramirez, Lee, Fukudome, Bradley, Lilly and Miles are owed $113.93M for next season.
That’s $113.93M for nine players.
GravediggerHebner
10/13/2009-4:47pm at 4:47 pm (UTC -4)
Somehow seeing Miles name on this list seems funny. Calls to mind “one of these things is not like the others.”
I think you have hit on the major reason behind the possibility, however slight, of the Mets being able to add a Zambrano or a Lee for 2010.
You seem to have a good head for formulating theories on trades and trade values, I would love to hear your opinion on what Lee, with “just” 1 year and $13 million coming, or Zambrano, with 4 years and $73 million coming, might cost (in terms of what the Mets would give up to get them).
trs86
10/13/2009-4:49pm at 4:49 pm (UTC -4)
Hmmm. Let me get back with you on that.
trs86
10/13/2009-4:57pm at 4:57 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, I could not figure out what Lee you were talking about to start with.
Zambrano, I just don’t see being traded. The Cubs would want either a guy who could step in and be a mid-rotation guy or a top hitter and those are two deficiencies for the Mets for sure. But not only that, I don’t see any team giving a top prospect or solid player for Zambrano right now. To much contract and too many questions.
Lee, that one is much more intriguing. They do have a few guys who could replace him in the lineup, but what would their goal be in doing it? They have a lot of cash tied up in a few players as I noted but can they trade Lee and improve anywhere? They don’t need the money for a salary dump. I guess a lot depends on what happens with Bradley. Now if the Mets would take Bradley and Lee for maybe Castillo, Parnell and Maine? If I were the Cubs I would have to consider it. Gets them the leadoff hitter they need, a reliever and a pitcher who could rebound and give you a backend starter. If I were the Mets, would Bradley kill the deal? That would increase the Mets payroll by about 13M, basically the cost of Lee.
GravediggerHebner
10/13/2009-5:12pm at 5:12 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks TRS, I appreciate your thoughts on this. I was chasing my tail thinking about “would the Cubs get more for Lee because he’s not crazy and has a short, reasonable contract as opposed to Zambrano who is and doesn’t?” and I couldn’t get past that.
The Cubs are really a big question mark right now with the new owners taking over. It will be interesting to watch it unfold, especially if it involves a Met-Cub transaction.
trs86
10/13/2009-5:19pm at 5:19 pm (UTC -4)
I think the big issue with Lee Grave, is how many teams are looking for a 1B? Braves most likely will resign LaRoche. Marlins would not be a fit nor would the Nats. Nobody in the central. West, Giants? Ishikawa was a terrible hitter but one hell of a fielder. Dbacks, don’t see a fit there but they will need a 1B most likely. AL: West, no one. Central, Indians but does not make sense. Whitesox with Thome gone? East, O’s but what good one one year do them.
So looking at that unless I am missing something there would not be enough of a market for him.
Like I said I wonder what they would want? Prospects do them no good and they have so many TERRIBLE contracts. The only way I see them moving a guy like Lee would be if you took one of those others with you.
wannybackstra
10/13/2009-5:41pm at 5:41 pm (UTC -4)
I think Lee’s one year deal opens him up to a lot of teams that might not consider him otherwise.
Just being creative here…
I could see the Bosox trading for him and moving Mike Lowell elsewhere (they’re going to look to improve offensively).
The White Sox are a good one, moving Konerko’s below average defense to DH and with Peavy on board will try to compete.
If TB moves Pat Burrell somehow, Lee could replace him as DH and spare Pena some rest at 1B — an unlikely scenario all the way around.
The BJs might finally want a guy who can hit a HR at 1B and a one year deal would a refreshing concept there.
The Tigers: Cabrera should/could be a DH, even if only for one year.
The Rangers with Blalock off the books and Smoak still a year away. Lee would be a nice addition to a strong defensive infield. 1 year deal perfect for them.
Seattle. Would be perfect for them.
San Francisco. Ditto.
Atlanta. Better than LaRoche and plays two halves to every season. LaRoche might want multiple years too.
Mets.
Dodgers. Could look to upgrade offensively at 1B for the right price.
Florida might be able to pay him if they move Uggla (who might be a good person to swap). Good stop gap to Logan Morrison and a popular guy in Miami.
Anaheim. Kendry to DH with Vlad gone. Will need to replace Vlad’s bat.
trs86
10/13/2009-5:47pm at 5:47 pm (UTC -4)
I think a few of them make sense. Dodgers I don’t see because I think they are happy with their youth movement. Marlins are a possibility especially if they move Uggla. Atlanta does not seem to fit to me unless they can’t get LaRoche, Seattle does not seem to be in compete mode. Rangers, good point. Angels, makes no sense. They have enough DH’s even without Vlad. Tigers won’t bring on the payroll, BJ’s if they don’t trade Halladay and want to get rid of Overbay, TB I don’t see, and Whitesox make sense if they have the money.
wannybackstra
10/13/2009-5:58pm at 5:58 pm (UTC -4)
re: the Dodgers there were rumors in the LA Times earlier in the summer that they might look to acquire a real thumper for 1B. I think either Keith Law or Rob Neyer have addressed this on ESPN.com too.
re: the Angels, who in the world do they have that could replicate Guerrero’s production at DH? Gary Matthews? Reggie Willits? Also consider that they may lose Figgins too. I think Lee would make a lot of sense for them.
re: the Tigers, they brought on Aubrey Huff’s salary late this season, didn’t they? With Fernando Rodney and Huff both leaving I wouldn’t discount them making a saucy move.
re: the Braves, why wouldn’t lee fit? They obviously need to add a bat and who wouldn’t prefer one year of Derek Lee to potentially 3 or more of Adam Laroche?
trs86
10/13/2009-6:01pm at 6:01 pm (UTC -4)
Eh, agree to disagree on those teams. Not really worth our top efforts. LOL.
GravediggerHebner
10/13/2009-6:02pm at 6:02 pm (UTC -4)
Wanny, the only thing I’ve read/heard recently that I can throw out there regarding your list of potential teams is this “nugget” regarding the Tigers:
according to some talking head on MLB Network (sorry I can’t recall which one) the Tigers will be looking to add a corner OF with Magglio becoming primarily DH. If it unfolds that way Cabrera would stay at 1B.
wannybackstra
10/13/2009-6:07pm at 6:07 pm (UTC -4)
Sure would seem to, Grave. I guess that puts Carlos Guillen in LF (a risky proposition in of itself) and the new outfielder would play RF (man, Jermaine Dye would seem to be there kind of guy).
GravediggerHebner
10/13/2009-6:20pm at 6:20 pm (UTC -4)
Unless I missed something Polanco’s contract is up. Could Detroit possibly try converting Guillen to 2B? He seems to have played almost everywhere else.
trs86
10/13/2009-6:23pm at 6:23 pm (UTC -4)
Guillen is about dead. LOL. They may even entertain the idea of him just being a permanent backup. I am sure they will be in on a guy like Lopez and that might be their only offensive upgrade.
wannybackstra
10/13/2009-6:24pm at 6:24 pm (UTC -4)
I think the reason he no longer plays 3B is because throwing is an issue for him (I could be wrong about that). Anyway, I read in the last couple of days that they’d prefer prospect Scott Sizemore to take the job. If not, Ryan Raburn would fill the position.
wannybackstra
10/13/2009-5:25pm at 5:25 pm (UTC -4)
If the Cubs actively seek a trade for Derek Lee it would reek of a desperation salary dump. There’s no reason to trade a guy on a one year deal, who is as productive as he is on both sides of the ball (so to speak) and is one of MLB’s good guys. If the Cubs have to relieve themselves of salary obligations there are much more obvious candidates including the aforementioned Zambrano and Bradley, as well as Soriano, Fukudome and others. Trading Lee isn’t even a band-aid to the salary problems caused by so much dead weight.
That said, there won’t be many takers for those other guys while Lee would probably attract quite a few.
But the point of my rambling is that I wouldn’t expect Chicago to expect all that much in return considering how obvious it is that they are dumping him. I think they’d be happy with Murphy and a decent minor league pitcher.
trs86
10/13/2009-5:31pm at 5:31 pm (UTC -4)
True, they would not get much. Which would lend me to think they would not trade him. Also, we have yet to hear that they need to dump salary just to dump salary. I think they are fine with their payroll, just not the players that are taking it up. So as you said moving a guy like Bradley, Zambrano or Soriano would be much more likely.
GravediggerHebner
10/13/2009-5:37pm at 5:37 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks, Wanny, I appreciate your input as well.
For the record, if I could acquire Derrek Lee for 2010 in exchange for Daniel Murphy and a decent minor league pitcher I would, unless I’m overlooking some horrific financial ramification of 1 year at $13 mil.
Unrelated, for kicks I’m listening to WEEI out of Boston and there seems to be a consensus among the callers that Papelbon is public enemy #1 and that he should be banished. Fickle, fickle.
wannybackstra
10/13/2009-5:44pm at 5:44 pm (UTC -4)
I work with a Sox fan (a fellow Raiders fan, by the way) who has always wanted Papelbon out. He feels vindicated.
Agree with TRS that the chances of Lee being moved are slim.
wannybackstra
10/13/2009-4:53pm at 4:53 pm (UTC -4)
Stinson was not even on my prospect radar until he was named to this team. It’ll be interesting to see how he’ll perform.
stickguy
10/13/2009-5:24pm at 5:24 pm (UTC -4)
maybe havens will have a monster winter over at 2B. I will not, under any circumstances, give up my dream of a 2010 season without Luis. Actually, one of the 2 posters left over at MB that can hold an intelligent conversation (heck, that can form a complete sentence), really made my point:
“Castillo’s 96 OPS+ is disappointing, and if anything it shows me that we need to sell high right now on him. He’s a one dimensional player (OBP) and his .346 slugging percentage just isn’t good enough to accomodate a guy who no longer has speed or range in the field. Castillo had 12 doubles and 1 HR last season … his offense is a paper tiger.”
credit to Old Backstop.
No, not the biggest problem, but an area where there is plenty of room to improve.
Not sure if they can get the right player (although Lopez just might do it), but 2B, along with RF, are the 2 areas beside the gaping hole at LF and C (and 1B deepnding on your perspective!) where they could realistically upgrade the support players.
trs86
10/13/2009-5:27pm at 5:27 pm (UTC -4)
Is it an AREA that has plenty of room to improve? Could we use the money else where? maybe. But it would be difficult to improve 2B that much.
trs86
10/13/2009-5:29pm at 5:29 pm (UTC -4)
Also, I find it hard to believe that you do not compare Castillo’s numbers with other 2B and think he is an issue but you are willing to give Murphy a pass when his offense is close to the worst of any 1B in the MLB.
stickguy
10/13/2009-6:01pm at 6:01 pm (UTC -4)
never said that Murphy put up huge numbers last year. But, unlike Luis, I actually think he can and will improve in 2010. Luis, however, I will bet will go downhill. ANd if he loses another step, and 30 points off of OBP, he won’t be worth a ST invite.
My point was, they should not give up on trying to improve at 2B too if possible. And if they can sell high on Castillo, go for it.
Oh, if you want the #s on murphy:
“Murphy had a 110 OPS+ (.800 OPS) in the second half. While I don’t expect him to come out in 2009 and post a .900 OPS, I think he’s capable of posting a .280+ average with 15-18 HR and a lot of XBH. He wont hurt you if you upgrade elsewhere as his OPS+ is likely to be over 100, but there is room to upgrade there if you have no other choice.”
trs86
10/13/2009-6:04pm at 6:04 pm (UTC -4)
Why is his OPS likely to go up as much as it could stay the same or go back down? Who knows if Castillo will be even more healthy next year. Point is that Castillo is ABOVE league average for 2B and Murphy is way BELOW league average for 1B. Hell I would upgrade both if I could but…
asod75
10/13/2009-6:05pm at 6:05 pm (UTC -4)
Ike Davis 3-5 with a homer, double and 6 RBIs thus far today.
Lucas Duda 1-4, 2 RBIs, double, run
Ruben Tejada, 2-5, double, 2 runs, RBI, SB
Not bad, although the AFL is a hitter’s league. Surprise squad is up 17-2 in the 7th.
trs86
10/13/2009-6:25pm at 6:25 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, I have been watching the gameday. Certainly an offensive show from the Rafters.
trs86
10/13/2009-6:26pm at 6:26 pm (UTC -4)
Mets players 8/16 with 9 RBI. LOL.
wannybackstra
10/14/2009-8:52am at 8:52 am (UTC -4)
The most encouraging news from the Rafters game is that Davis’s grand slam was hit off a left handed pitcher.