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Joyce Could Become Fixture In Rays Lineup

The Associated Press

Matt Joyce, in his rookie season with the Detroit Tigers, smiles as he walks toward the dugout following his three-run home run off a pitch from Texas Rangers' Vicente Padilla in August.

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By JOE HENDERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 17, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG We know what the Rays did last season, and it was sensational, but the challenge now is to sustain that success. It's a tricky game that involves trying to fill a need before you actually need it.

With that in mind, we introduce Matt Joyce. He is the latest vision straight from the crystal ball of Rays vice president Andrew Friedman, acquired during the winter meetings in exchange for 14-game winner Edwin Jackson.

Joyce, an Armwood High School lad, was introduced to his once-and-future hometown Tuesday.

He is personable, talented, predictably thrilled about the trade, and he has a great story to tell. He grew up a Rays fan. His dad, Matt Sr., used to regularly take him to the fields at North Brandon Little League for hours of batting practice.

Dad coached his son up until high school, and converted him to a left-handed hitter even though the younger Joyce is right-handed in just about everything.

It worked. As a rookie last season with Detroit, Joyce hit 12 homers in 92 games, including four in a memorable run in July that earned him American League Player of the Week distinction. Friedman is gambling that was a preview of what's ahead.

Friedman said Joyce "will certainly contribute" in the upcoming season - the Rays' first as defending American League champion - but he clearly expects the bigger impact in 2010 and beyond.

"We feel like he's got above-average power. We feel like he is an above-average defender," Friedman said. "We think he's got a chance to develop into a very good player, and even short of that, we feel like he can help this team for many years. The fact that he'll be here for a minimum of six years is valuable to us and something we have to keep in mind."

The Rays have plenty of potential replacements ready to fill Jackson's role, but they're a little short on position players in the system right now. The Tigers had extra outfielders but needed pitching.

So they made the trade and declared open competition for Jackson's rotation spot between David Price, Jeff Niemann and whoever else they want to throw in the fray. Joyce slides in under a low spotlight and platoons in right field with Gabe Gross and Fernando Perez. He essentially fills the hole left by Eric Hinske's departure, except that Joyce has a chance to become a fixture instead of a one-year rental.

Friedman loves those forward-thinking deals.

People didn't know what to make at first of Friedman's moves that brought Dioner Navarro, Jason Bartlett, Matt Garza, Grant Balfour, Akinori Iwamura and Carlos Pena here, either. The Rays wouldn't have come close to accomplishing what they did last season without them.

Jackson was another player Friedman acquired with an eye toward the future.

Giving up Jackson is a risk, because he has the stuff to be a 20-game winner, and he has had a taste of success. Joyce could be something special too, though. At first glance, you think Friedman should have gotten more for someone with an arm like Jackson's. Friedman's track record is awfully good, though. He has earned some trust.

With that in mind, this deal looks fine right now.

A year or two from now, it may look even better.

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