TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Maddon Needs More Options In Outfield

ADVERTISEMENT

By MARC LANCASTER The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 11, 2008

SEATTLE - The Rays were fortunate to have an outfielder on hand in Rocco Baldelli to step in for the injured Carl Crawford on Sunday, but they know that won't be an everyday solution.

Baldelli has yet to play more than five innings in the field in any game this season, and that's how long he went Sunday in perfect, 65-degree weather. While Baldelli could work up to play a full game in the outfield, the Rays have said from the beginning they aren't counting on him to fill that type of role.

"I think what we saw today is something we know we can get, and it's always nice to be able to move it a little bit forward," Manager Joe Maddon said. "But it's going to be at his pace; I'm not going to rush it."

That means a roster move may be in order today to give Maddon some more outfield options, and the Rays could go a few different ways with it.

The most likely would seem to be recalling Justin Ruggiano or Jonny Gomes from Durham, and Ruggiano would seem to have the edge given his superior defense. But that would require sending someone down, and the only player with options is Ben Zobrist.

The Rays believe SS Jason Bartlett should be ready to return by Tuesday's series opener in Oakland, which would allow them to jettison Zobrist. Or, they could keep him around since he has dabbled in the outfield at times.

Finally, the Rays could go outside the organization and acquire an outfielder who already has cleared waivers.

"This is obviously a tough situation as Carl is an integral part of our attack on both offense and defense," executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. "It is unclear how long he will be out at this time but I'm confident our other guys will step up as they have done all year with the other issues we have faced."

FREE WILLY: The Rays managed to win three consecutive games with 3B Evan Longoria out of the lineup, and his replacement deserves a hefty share of the credit for the past two victories.

Saturday night, Willy Aybar turned in a two-out double to spark the Rays' six-run sixth inning, then started the game-saving 5-2-3 double play in the bottom of the 10th. Sunday, he hammered two home runs down the left-field line for his first career multi-homer game.

Speaking in Spanish with bullpen coach Bobby Ramos interpreting, Aybar said his performance Saturday gave him confidence for the finale.

"The biggest thing is taking advantage of the opportunity every time they put my name in the lineup," Aybar said. "I try to help the team and try to do my job."

Longoria said he hopes to be back in the lineup Tuesday in Oakland, so Aybar's playing time will be cut back again, but he clearly has won the affection of his manager.

"Willy just comes ready to play every day," Maddon said. "I keep talking about him, and I don't care what his batting average is or whatever - I just know that he's ready to play, and I appreciate that about him."

MR. COOL: Maddon had hoped he wouldn't have to use new acquisition Chad Bradford on Saturday after the reliever spent much of the day flying from Baltimore to Seattle.

Circumstances forced his hand, though. Bradford ended up throwing 39 pitches to navigate dicey ninth and 10th innings and picked up a win as the Rays scored in the 11th. Seattle had the winning run in scoring position in the ninth, then had the bases loaded with one out in the 10th, but Bradford was unperturbed.

"He goes out there like he's in a rocking chair," Maddon said. "You go out to talk to him, he's fine. He gets in this moment and he's fine, he keeps throwing strikes, he keeps making quality pitches - he's fine. ... Totally under control. Loved it."

PRICE CHECK: With LHP David Price set to make his Triple-A debut Wednesday, Maddon acknowledged the Rays already have had lengthy discussions about bringing last year's top pick to the majors, perhaps before the end of this month.

"His performance to this point has been spectacular," Maddon said. "Moving him up to Triple-A, we just wanted to see him get involved there a little bit, and we have several different scenarios that we've kind of created mentally and we'll see how it all plays out."

Marc Lancaster

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT