Stark: Junior to Tampa?

by BK on Jun 13, 2008 11:38 AM EDT

Another trade speculation diary FanPost. I was checking out Jayson Stark's column from today and found this hidden little nugget:

But if you're looking for a destination Griffey could land in next year, once there are no worries about surrendering prospects or picking up a $16-million contract, here's a club we've started to hear some guesswork about: Tampa Bay.

The Trop is an easy commute from Griffey's home in Orlando. It's a fun team on the rise, with a chance to win. And it's an AL team that could mix in some DH-ing opportunities. So why not?

"If I were them, I think it would be a great move," said one veteran baseball man. "You run him out there with his big smile and his sweet swing, and it's a drawing card. And even if he's slipped, you're putting another left-handed bat in the middle of that lineup. Could be scary."

It's hard to argue that Griffey wouldn't be a better fit in Tampa than he is here. Payroll is the biggest concern that they didn't address. He'd make 2.2 million more than their highest-payed player currently, and if signed would account for 16% of their total payroll. Would Tampa be willing to spend that money for this season, let alone his option/buyout for next? Also, what would be a fair return for him from Tampa? They have a system loaded with good prospects, we should be able to fish at least one of them for him, right?

*EDIT*: As sidnancy brought up, the original article was referring to Tampa as a possible destination for 2009. However, why not speculate for this season? The numbers I cited for salary were for a deadline deal this year, so let's see what we've got. Questions to consider:

1. Would Tampa be interested in acquiring Junior before the trade deadline?

2. Would Bob/Walt deal him?

3. Who would be a fair return for Junior from Tampa?]

*EDIT #2*: I found another article from today, this one by Jon Heyman, about Griffey playing in Tampa, this one about a deadline deal. Here's an excerpt:

Griffey, 39, has a no-trade clause but has told intimates that if the Rays stay in the race, he'd consider waiving his veto power to go home. Or close to home, anyway. Tampa is much nearer his Orlando-area residence than any other big-league city. Griffey's tony Isleworth community is about an hour from St. Petersburg, where the Rays play.

The speculation is happening, even by Junior himself. What do you guys think?

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I love it. Lets call Walt and see if he can get this done before the All-Star break.

"When I got my award, I just wore my usual stuff," Dunn said.
"Was it for the Reds organization or all of baseball?" Bruce said.

by Madville on Jun 13, 2008 11:48 AM EDT 0 recs

In a heartbeat.

And I’d throw in a slightly-used manager (“like new”) and a left-handed “hitting” (I use the term loosely) center fielder for free.

Hey Dusty...Are you sure you're OK? You might need an MRI.

by Paul Householder on Jun 13, 2008 12:30 PM EDT 0 recs

You're missing the first sentence

Next year, when they can sign him as a free agent.

Often wrong, never uncertain.

by sidnancy on Jun 13, 2008 12:57 PM EDT 0 recs

Damn, you're right.

I misread that. Alright, this turns from “speculation from a media source” to “speculation from a RR commenter”. I still think this is a viable option for a deadline deal. Tampa is second in the AL East right now and will surely be looking for another bat to overtake Boston. Realistically, they could have some interest.

"My wife ain't never ran and got me no pheasant." - Fistbands

by BK on Jun 13, 2008 1:12 PM EDT up 0 recs

They could also use a sparring partner for Johnny Gomes

It looks like they alternate Gomes, Hinske and Floyd at DH. At this point Griffey may not represent that much of an upgrade over the two LHB, Hinske and Floyd. But they’re also starting Gabe Gross in RF, and they can’t be too pleased with that.

The Teen Tycoon of Rock

by ken on Jun 13, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

Original post edited.

"My wife ain't never ran and got me no pheasant." - Fistbands

by BK on Jun 13, 2008 1:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

can the Reds get Carl Crawford?

The Dusty Path to the World Series!*

*Note this is not an endorsment of Dusty Baker.

by justin007000 on Jun 13, 2008 1:11 PM EDT 0 recs

Answers

1. Only if they think he’s the final piece that wins them a championship this year – he’s a whole lot cheaper after Oct. 15.
2. There should never, ever be an untouchable. Even Bruce, if the price were right, should be traded.
3. The Reds are either going to get salary relief or a prospect for Jr; I’m guessing $4 M(his remaining salary after Aug. 1) to $6M (buyout + 1/2 his salary), or a B-level pitcher. The money might be a problem because that kind of cash transaction would have to be approved by Selig.

Often wrong, never uncertain.

by sidnancy on Jun 13, 2008 2:42 PM EDT 0 recs

Salmon trade completed.

It’s not Jr. to Tampa Bay, but for what it’s worth the Reds and Royals completed the Brad Salmon deal today. The Reds received RHP Henry Arias, a 6-foot-3, 201-pound 23-year old from the Dominican Republic.

At Burlington of the Low-A Midwest League, Arias went 2-3 3.78. In 18 games, all in relief, and 33 innings Arias allowed 32 hits, struck out 30 and walked 18. He has two saves and a 1.50 WHIP.

In three seasons, Arias is 8-11 with a 4.47 ERA. In 45 games, including 19 starts, he has thrown 137 innings and allowed 145 hits. He has struck out 106 and walked 63 with a 1.52 WHIP.

The word on Arias is that he hits 90 with his fastball and keeps it down. He has allowed just eight home runs in 137 innings. He is at times wild, sometimes effectively so, but overall walks too many. He is roughly equally effective against right-handed and left-handed hitters.

We Are ... Marshall!

by Thundering Turtle on Jun 13, 2008 10:04 PM EDT 0 recs

On another note,

Colorado outrighted Cory Sullivan to AAA today. He’s a player who might have been worth claiming. I’ve always thought he was underrated and underappreciated in Colorado. He plays very good defense, is a capable hitter and has some speed, although it hasn’t shown up much in his SB stats.

Would he be better than Patterson?

We Are ... Marshall!

by Thundering Turtle on Jun 13, 2008 10:14 PM EDT 0 recs

I would be better than Patterson

Hope Springs Eternal! Go Reds

by Caleb on Jun 14, 2008 9:12 AM EDT up 0 recs

Just got a call from Walt, Caleb...are you available to suit up for Sunday's game?

"When I got my award, I just wore my usual stuff," Dunn said.
"Was it for the Reds organization or all of baseball?" Bruce said.

by Madville on Jun 14, 2008 12:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

He'd be better than Patterson

but given that he’s a left-handed hitter as well, I don’t see any real benefit to adding him to the roster.

"Hard being everybody’s hero, I suppose." - Buck O'Neil on Willie Mays

by Slyde on Jun 14, 2008 10:31 AM EDT up 0 recs

Let me help you on your sentence structure.

That should read: “He would be better than Patterson.”

by Brian B on Jun 15, 2008 5:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

hey red fans give us junior!

i think that the rays might be willing to give jeff niemann and maybe another b prospect for junior but the reds would have to eat almost half of his contract to make this deal work

by RaysOfHope on Jun 15, 2008 5:03 PM EDT 0 recs

Okay, but you have to take Corey Patterson too.

He’s scrappy!

by Brian B on Jun 15, 2008 5:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

no way im a reds fan too and hate corey!

hated that they signed him and hate that they find a way to play him and hate how they made jay bruce wait 2 months for this regret! all because he is dusty baker’s guy! and no way i want corey on 2 of my teams in 1 year i would have to take kidnap for that! want to right now anyways!

by RaysOfHope on Jun 15, 2008 10:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

I would personally

Eat all 8 pages or so of his contract to get that money off the books. And I LOVE Junior.

"Got a bump on the ole noggin, but otherwise god. And I get a new vehicle probably, w00t!"

by jch24 on Jun 15, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

Money?

Who cares about the money? The $6 million he’s owed the rest of this season plus the $4 milion buyout? If we can get anything at all in return we should be happy. Especially considering there’s no way we’ll get any draft picks out of him – we’d have to give him the buyout and offer him arbitration first.

by Brian B on Jun 15, 2008 9:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

He'll be at least a Type-B free agent

he was a Type-A free agent after last season, and it’s based off of 2 seasons worth of data. So, even though he sucks so far this year, he was still very good last year from the perspective of the outdated stats that Elias uses to calculate rank for free agent types.

I’d still rather get a prospect than a draft pick though.

"Hard being everybody’s hero, I suppose." - Buck O'Neil on Willie Mays

by Slyde on Jun 15, 2008 9:57 PM EDT up 0 recs

True but . . .

in orde rto get the draft picks, the Reds would still have to give Griffey the $4 million buyout AND offer arbitration to him (dangerous), AND Griffey would have to reject arbitration . . . THEN the Reds would get draft pick compensation. I can’t see it getting that far.

by Brian B on Jun 15, 2008 10:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

I understand

I’d rather he were traded, especially if they can get out from the $4M they owe him next season. It may not seem like a lot, but it can buy a good bullpen arm at the very least.

I don’t think there is any way he accepts arbitration. I don’t think he hates Cincinnati, but I have a feeling (all my own speculation) that emotionally, he’s ready for a change. It can’t be easy being around all of that losing.

"Hard being everybody’s hero, I suppose." - Buck O'Neil on Willie Mays

by Slyde on Jun 15, 2008 11:25 PM EDT up 0 recs

I don't care if the Reds eat his whole contract.

If they can land a good prospect or two for him, it’s the right move. They’re gonna be paying him anyways, might as well get an actual return on the investment.

by Geki on Jun 15, 2008 8:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

Huh?

The John Herman SI.com article says this about Griffey in 2000:

His trade to the Reds nine years ago was originally seen as a homecoming for Griffey, who grew up in Cincinnati. However, back then his first choice was actually Atlanta, which was the big-league city closest to Orlando at the time.

What? Of course, the article also says this:

He’s such a natural and still so good you almost wonder if he can homer on call.

Hmmm. Still talking about Griffey?

by Brian B on Jun 15, 2008 10:48 PM EDT 0 recs

Jon Heyman is kind of a dipshit

He’s particularly bad with trades—both proposing them and remembering them. He’s also, in my opinion, very limited in recognizing value and achievement in players because he’s a dyed-in-the-wool BA/RBI/Wins guy.

I guess you can’t expect someone who doesn’t believe in the value of on base percentage to know that, statistically, Miami is about 200 miles closer to Orlando than Atlanta. It just feels closer.

You have rats in Spain, don't you - or did Franco have them all shot?

by Man Mountain on Jun 16, 2008 11:59 AM EDT up 0 recs

Jon Heyman is one of my guilty pleasures

i routinely curse outloud when reading his articles. actually, when reading your post, i curse outloud at you, because calling him “kind of a dipshit” is kind of a glowing compliment. bad form, MM.

If you don't get a good-night kiss, you get Kafka dreams.

by Charlie Scrabbles on Jun 16, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up 0 recs