For starters, Rays vs Red Sox with Crawford back

Date: Sat, Aug 28, 2010

The Rays will try to bounce back from Friday's loss to the Red Sox tonight at Tropicana Field, and they'll have LFCarl Crawford back in the lineup.

Crawford was a late scratch from Friday's lineup due to a stomach virus.Manager Joe Maddon said Crawford is feeling better, but they'll see how he's doing in the next couple hours.

Should be another great pitching matchup here with Rays righthander Matt Garza and Red Sox righthander Clay Buchholz, who is 15-5 on the season and has won his last four starts (including giving up zero earned runs in each of his last three).

*Maddon said RHPGrant Balfour (intercostal strain) will start tonight for Class-A Charlotte and newly acquired OFBrad Hawpe will get some at-bats.

Rays lineup
Jaso c
Zobrist 2b
Crawford lf
Longoria 3b
Pena 1b
Joyce rf
Johnson dh
Upton cf
Bartlett ss
Garza rhp

Red Sox lineup
Scutaro ss
Drew rf
Martinez c
Ortiz dh
Beltre 3b
Lowell 1b
Nava lf
Kalish cf
Hall 2b
Buchholz, rhp

-- JOESMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Read Full Baseball Blog Post

Morning after video: Upton on key play, tough loss

Date: Fri, Aug 27, 2010

Rays CF B.J. Upton talks about getting thrown out at home on the key play of the night and losing the opener of the series to the Red Sox.

Read Full Baseball Blog Post

Morning after video: Upton on key play, tough loss

Date: Fri, Aug 27, 2010

Rays CF B.J. Upton talks about getting thrown out at home on the key play of the night and losing the opener of the series to the Red Sox.

Read Full Baseball Blog Post

Hawpe "couldn't be more excited" to join Rays

Date: Fri, Aug 27, 2010

Newly-acquired outfielder Brad Hawpe arrived at Tropicana Field this evening, saying he "couldn't be more excited" to join the Rays and a pennant race.

"I haven't been this excited since Igot called up to the big leagues,"said Hawpe, 31.."It's an opportunity to join the best record in baseball, the best team in baseball. It's late in the season. These guys have been playing great all year, so I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to just help them out."

Hawpe said he'll play Saturday and Monday for Class-ACharlotte before rejoining the big league club next week. Manager Joe Maddon said the left-handed hitting Hawpe will primarily be used as DHagainst right-handed pitchers, and occasionally in the outfield and first base. Hawpe, an All-Star a year ago, said he feels he can rebound from a rough season with the Rockies, hitting .255 with seven homers and 34 RBIs

"I didn’t play as well as I should have,"he said."I should have played better when I was there. I lost a role there and once you lose yourrole, they have some young guys that are there that were looking for their opportunities. That's how I got mine."

Hawpe said he had good conversations with the Rockies management last week, and they told him with the younger players expected to get more playing time, they'd try to put him in a situation where he could land with another club. After Hawpe cleared waivers, he had conversations with several teams, but heard good things about the Rays, and Maddon, and a lengthy discussion with executive VP Andrew Friedman Thursday night sealed the deal. He said adjusting to being DH, which he's rarely done, is something he'll have to get used to, but got advice from Jason Giambi.

As a side benefit, Hawpe said Tropicana Field, Yankee Stadium and the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington are the only three big league stadiums he's never played in.

Noting that the Yankees and Rangers are both likely playoff teams, Hawpe quipped, "We'll play them in the playoffs and knock them all out there."

--JOESMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Read Full Baseball Blog Post

Hawpe "couldn't be more excited" to join Rays

Date: Fri, Aug 27, 2010

Newly-acquired outfielder Brad Hawpe arrived at Tropicana Field this evening, saying he "couldn't be more excited" to join the Rays and a pennant race.

"I haven't been this excited since Igot called up to the big leagues,"said Hawpe, 31.."It's an opportunity to join the best record in baseball, the best team in baseball. It's late in the season. These guys have been playing great all year, so I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to just help them out."

Hawpe said he'll play Saturday and Monday for Class-ACharlotte before rejoining the big league club next week. Manager Joe Maddon said the left-handed hitting Hawpe will primarily be used as DHagainst right-handed pitchers, and occasionally in the outfield and first base. Hawpe, an All-Star a year ago, said he feels he can rebound from a rough season with the Rockies, hitting .255 with seven homers and 34 RBIs

"I didn’t play as well as I should have,"he said."I should have played better when I was there. I lost a role there and once you lose yourrole, they have some young guys that are there that were looking for their opportunities. That's how I got mine."

Hawpe said he had good conversations with the Rockies management last week, and they told him with the younger players expected to get more playing time, they'd try to put him in a situation where he could land with another club. After Hawpe cleared waivers, he had conversations with several teams, but heard good things about the Rays, and Maddon, and a lengthy discussion with executive VP Andrew Friedman Thursday night sealed the deal. He said adjusting to being DH, which he's rarely done, is something he'll have to get used to, but got advice from Jason Giambi.

As a side benefit, Hawpe said Tropicana Field, Yankee Stadium and the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington are the only three big league stadiums he's never played in.

Noting that the Yankees and Rangers are both likely playoff teams, Hawpe quipped, "We'll play them in the playoffs and knock them all out there."

--JOESMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Read Full Baseball Blog Post

Carl Crawford scratched from lineup due to stomach virus

Date: Fri, Aug 27, 2010

Rays leftfielder Carl Crawford has been scratched from tonight's lineup due to a stomach virus.

Here's the new Rays lineup:

Upton cf
Bartlett ss
Pena 1b
Longoria 3b
Aybar dh
Zobrist rf
Rodriguez 2b
Shoppach c
Joyce lf
Price lhp

-- JOESMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Read Full Baseball Blog Post

Carl Crawford scratched from lineup due to stomach virus

Date: Fri, Aug 27, 2010

Rays leftfielder Carl Crawford has been scratched from tonight's lineup due to a stomach virus.

Here's the new Rays lineup:

Upton cf
Bartlett ss
Pena 1b
Longoria 3b
Aybar dh
Zobrist rf
Rodriguez 2b
Shoppach c
Joyce lf
Price lhp

-- JOESMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Read Full Baseball Blog Post

Rays vs. Red Sox, for openers

Date: Fri, Aug 27, 2010

UPDATE, 6:08: Maddon said recently-acquired Brad Hawpe will play a couple minor league games and likely join the Rays next week, and will be post-season eligible.

Maddon said Hawpe will primarily be a DHagainst right-handed pitchers and get some work in the outfield, as well as maybe first base. He pointed out that Hawpe was an All-Star just a year ago, and just didn't get much playing time this year due to the emerging young outfielders with the Rockies.

"That could be to our advantage," Maddon said.

Maddon admitted the possibility of getting MannyRamirez through waivers was a long-shot, but said the Hawpe addition could be interesting.

*In other news, RHPGrant Balfour said he feels good enough to pitch tonight, but will pitch in minor league games with Class A Charlotte Saturday and Monday before rejoining the team possibly Wednesday. Balfour said though he's been on the DL, he hopes he can return to the same form as when he left.

*First-round pick OFJosh Sale and fellow draft pick Drew Vettleson were at the Trop and in uniform, participating in batting practice with the big league club. "An unreal feeling,"Vettleson said.The two said they were a bit nervous to begin with, but veteran Gabe Kapler helped break the ice - and calm them down - by playing a game with them in the outfield while shagging fly balls. "Ihope it's not the last BP Itake on this field,"Sale quipped.

UPDATE, 3:55: Rays lineup, the new version against lefthanders:
Upton cf
Bartlett ss
Crawford lf
Longoria 3b
Pena 1b
Zobrist rf
Aybar dh
Rodriguez 2b
Shoppach c
Price lhp

DEVELOPING:The Rays have already had an eventul day, signing Rockies OFBrad Hawpe to a minor-league deal (with plans to promote him to the majors by Tuesday's deadline for post-season eligibility) and learning that the White Sox won the waiver claim on Manny Ramirez.

And now it's time for them to get down to the real business at hand, trying to knock the Sox further back in the wild-card race. David Price will be on the mound, seeking his 16th win, in a marquee matchup with Boston's Jon Lester.

No word yet on the Rays lineup, but here is what the RedSox have planned:

Scutaro ss
McDonald cf
Martinez c
Beltre 3b
Ortiz dh
Lowell 1b
Drew rf
Lowrie 2b
Hall lf
Lester p

Read Full Baseball Blog Post

Rays vs. Red Sox, for openers

Date: Fri, Aug 27, 2010

UPDATE, 6:08: Maddon said recently-acquired Brad Hawpe will play a couple minor league games and likely join the Rays next week, and will be post-season eligible.

Maddon said Hawpe will primarily be a DHagainst right-handed pitchers and get some work in the outfield, as well as maybe first base. He pointed out that Hawpe was an All-Star just a year ago, and just didn't get much playing time this year due to the emerging young outfielders with the Rockies.

"That could be to our advantage," Maddon said.

Maddon admitted the possibility of getting MannyRamirez through waivers was a long-shot, but said the Hawpe addition could be interesting.

*In other news, RHPGrant Balfour said he feels good enough to pitch tonight, but will pitch in minor league games with Class A Charlotte Saturday and Monday before rejoining the team possibly Wednesday. Balfour said though he's been on the DL, he hopes he can return to the same form as when he left.

*First-round pick OFJosh Sale and fellow draft pick Drew Vettleson were at the Trop and in uniform, participating in batting practice with the big league club. "An unreal feeling,"Vettleson said.The two said they were a bit nervous to begin with, but veteran Gabe Kapler helped break the ice - and calm them down - by playing a game with them in the outfield while shagging fly balls. "Ihope it's not the last BP Itake on this field,"Sale quipped.

UPDATE, 3:55: Rays lineup, the new version against lefthanders:
Upton cf
Bartlett ss
Crawford lf
Longoria 3b
Pena 1b
Zobrist rf
Aybar dh
Rodriguez 2b
Shoppach c
Price lhp

DEVELOPING:The Rays have already had an eventul day, signing Rockies OFBrad Hawpe to a minor-league deal (with plans to promote him to the majors by Tuesday's deadline for post-season eligibility) and learning that the White Sox won the waiver claim on Manny Ramirez.

And now it's time for them to get down to the real business at hand, trying to knock the Sox further back in the wild-card race. David Price will be on the mound, seeking his 16th win, in a marquee matchup with Boston's Jon Lester.

No word yet on the Rays lineup, but here is what the RedSox have planned:

Scutaro ss
McDonald cf
Martinez c
Beltre 3b
Ortiz dh
Lowell 1b
Drew rf
Lowrie 2b
Hall lf
Lester p

Read Full Baseball Blog Post

Hank Steinbrenner: "Rest assured" Yanks will make playoffs

Date: Fri, Aug 27, 2010

Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner isn't too worried about the Red Sox coming on too strong, or he expects the Rays to fade.

Steinbrenner told the New York Daily News he was confident the Yankees would make the playoffs - though he acknowledged winning the division may be tough - and play into October to defend their title.

"Obviously, we're in the toughest division by far in baseball,'' Steinbrenner said. "So it's going to be a struggle down to the wire. We'd like to win the division, but I think we can be rest assured we're going to get the playoffs, then it's a matter of what we do from there."

Read Full Baseball Blog Post

Hank Steinbrenner: "Rest assured" Yanks will make playoffs

Date: Fri, Aug 27, 2010

Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner isn't too worried about the Red Sox coming on too strong, or he expects the Rays to fade.

Steinbrenner told the New York Daily News he was confident the Yankees would make the playoffs - though he acknowledged winning the division may be tough - and play into October to defend their title.

"Obviously, we're in the toughest division by far in baseball,'' Steinbrenner said. "So it's going to be a struggle down to the wire. We'd like to win the division, but I think we can be rest assured we're going to get the playoffs, then it's a matter of what we do from there."

Read Full Baseball Blog Post

Manny claimed - by White Sox

Date: Fri, Aug 27, 2010

UPDATE, 7:05: The Rays did make a claim on Ramirez, but it was for naught as the White Sox and Rangers were ahead of them.

UPDATE, 2:33: Word is out, it's the White Sox, according to ESPN's Jayson Stark and others. Stark's Twitter post says there were "strong indications"Rays and Rangers also put in claims.

UPDATE, 2:27: Let the narrowing down continue, as the Rangers claimed Manny but did not get him, according to the Dallas Morning News. That means it also was not the Rays, Yankees, Red Sox or Twins. White Sox still most likely among ALteams, but what about A's, who need a bat? Or one of several NLteams, either to get him or keep him from going elsewhere as Dodgers decide if they are in or out of race.

UPDATE, 2:09: The Rays were not likely to claim him because of the risk of taking on the full $4.4-million he is owed; their better route was for him to clear waivers and then negotiate a deal with the Dodgers, offering prospects for salary relief. Fox Sports reports the Yankees weren't the claiming team either.

DEVELOPING: Hearing that Manny Ramirez has been claimed on waivers, now the question is which team.

The White Sox had been connected the most with Ramirez, and they would have claiming priority over the other ALcontenders. The other NLteams all had priority.

The claming team and the Dodgers will have until Tuesday afternoon to work out a deal, though the Dodgers can either a) let him go, and force the claiming team to assume the remaining $4.4-million on his contract, and b) pull him back off waivers and keep him the rest of the season.

Read Full Baseball Blog Post

Manny claimed - by White Sox

Date: Fri, Aug 27, 2010

UPDATE, 7:05: The Rays did make a claim on Ramirez, but it was for naught as the White Sox and Rangers were ahead of them.

UPDATE, 2:33: Word is out, it's the White Sox, according to ESPN's Jayson Stark and others. Stark's Twitter post says there were "strong indications"Rays and Rangers also put in claims.

UPDATE, 2:27: Let the narrowing down continue, as the Rangers claimed Manny but did not get him, according to the Dallas Morning News. That means it also was not the Rays, Yankees, Red Sox or Twins. White Sox still most likely among ALteams, but what about A's, who need a bat? Or one of several NLteams, either to get him or keep him from going elsewhere as Dodgers decide if they are in or out of race.

UPDATE, 2:09: The Rays were not likely to claim him because of the risk of taking on the full $4.4-million he is owed; their better route was for him to clear waivers and then negotiate a deal with the Dodgers, offering prospects for salary relief. Fox Sports reports the Yankees weren't the claiming team either.

DEVELOPING: Hearing that Manny Ramirez has been claimed on waivers, now the question is which team.

The White Sox had been connected the most with Ramirez, and they would have claiming priority over the other ALcontenders. The other NLteams all had priority.

The claming team and the Dodgers will have until Tuesday afternoon to work out a deal, though the Dodgers can either a) let him go, and force the claiming team to assume the remaining $4.4-million on his contract, and b) pull him back off waivers and keep him the rest of the season.

Read Full Baseball Blog Post

Rays sign OF Hawpe to minor-league deal

Date: Fri, Aug 27, 2010

UPDATE, 2:50:The deal is official, Hawpe will join Class ACharlotte for a brief stay starting Saturday.

DEVELOPING: The Rays are going to sign OFBrad Hawpe to a minor-league deal, with the 2009 All-Star expected to join the team by Tuesday.

Hawpe, 31, was released by the Rockies after hitting .255. He hit .285 last season with 23 homers and 42 doubles, and was an All-Star selection. And there is even a Rays connection - he hit the ball that Carl Crawford made the spectacular catch on to win MVPhonors in the All-Star Game.

Hawpe is a lefthanded hitter who play primarily rightfield for the Rockies. His numbers and playing time were down this season, though he is still a .280 career hitter, and the Rockies let him go after he cleared waivers.

When Hawpe was designated for assignment Aug. 18, he didn't seem surprised: "Ihaven't been playing too much for various reasons, and I wasn’t going to be back next year. If I hadn’t been playing the last two months, then the next six weeks they are going to be taking care of younger guys. I could be gone in six weeks or be gone now. I get a chance to hopefully be part of a team that’s in contention and will go into the playoffs.”

The minor-league deal makes sense for two reasons - 1) the Rays' 40-man roster is full so they have to make some kind of move to create room, though it could be as simple as shifting J.P. Howell from the 15-day to 60-day disabled list, and b) Hawpe hasn't played since Aug. 18.

The deal comes with little risk for the Rays beyond the roster spot as they have to pay only the pro-rated portion of the minimum salary, which would be less than $100,000. Hawpe was making $7.5-million in the final season of a 3-year, $17.43-million deal. He had a $10.15-million team option for 2011.

Hawpe averaged 25 homers and 90-plus RBIs over the 2006-09 seasons.

Read Full Baseball Blog Post