Rays made a good trade

[Triple B]

Interesting.  I thought they needed bats. 

They've got the bats, they just need the hitting .......

[Velcro]

The main benefit of Bradfor is that he is a different look... a submariner... he isn't someone I'd want to pitch to a bunch of batters, but if you need to get one guy out... someone who scrapes his hand on the ground when he throws makes it tough on the batters to pick up the release point right away. 

[Matt]

its a good trade and means Reyes is most likely out of there.

Bradford is deadly against Righties.  which is a great balance to a guy like JP Howell

anytime you can add a guy with playoff experience to your bullpen then you are doing well.

[Triple B]

its a good trade and means Reyes is most likely out of there.

Bradford is deadly against Righties.  which is a great balance to a guy like JP Howell

anytime you can add a guy with playoff experience to your bullpen then you are doing well.

Makes you wonder, though, how he got through waivers ....

[BullMedic]

This guy was on the Mets,complete bum.  dont get too excited

Year Team W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV SVO IP H R ER HR BB SO

2006 NYM 4  2  2.90  70  0  0  0  2  3  62.0  59  22  20  1  13  45 

I wouldn't say those stats are for a complete bum!!!!

Sub 3.00 era, less hits than innings pitched. 3 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio. And only 1 hr in 62 innings pitched that year.

I guess we differ in opinions of bums!

Go Rays! Great move!

Don't forget a 0.00 ERA in all post season games he pitched in.

[mikebeau]

its a good trade and means Reyes is most likely out of there.

Bradford is deadly against Righties.  which is a great balance to a guy like JP Howell

anytime you can add a guy with playoff experience to your bullpen then you are doing well.

Makes you wonder, though, how he got through waivers ....

teams out of the rce wont spend the money.  who knows about the others.  Maybe they dont have a roster spot they want to open up

[Matt]

its a good trade and means Reyes is most likely out of there.

Bradford is deadly against Righties.  which is a great balance to a guy like JP Howell

anytime you can add a guy with playoff experience to your bullpen then you are doing well.

Makes you wonder, though, how he got through waivers ....

because the orioles...much like they do with everyone on their team....overpaid him for what he is.  (a RHP specialist) 

[Who'sYourData?]

Wow.  So much to comment on.

First of all, he did NOT get through waivers.  The Rays claimed him, as did some other teams.  The Rays had priority for whatever mystical reason, so they were awarded him.  Ballymore could have pulled him back, the Rays are send a player so they wouldn't pull him back.

If a player is claimed, he can only be traded to the team he was awarded.  If a player clears waivers, he can be traded to any team.

[Who'sYourData?]

Next, Bradford is a solid veteran reliever.  He is neither spectacular, nor rubbish.  His strikeouts are down this year, which isn't a particularly good sign.  He does induce A LOT of ground balls.  That makes him a great RP to bring into the game with runners on base and a two or three run lead.  He is also good because you don't expect him to give up a big inning, since he doesn't give up many extra base hits. 

On the other hand, if it's a one run game, he won't come in a strike guys out.  So there are some situations you'll use Balfour or Wheeler instead.  He won't ever be the closer here, unless three other RPs get hurt.

[Who'sYourData?]

Finally, he's owed about $1million more this season in the last year of his contract.  Certainly a rent-a-player scenario, though the Rays could look to re-sign him for next year.  He'll probably be out of the Rays price range, but you never know with RPs.  Wild guess that he might be a Type B free agent, so the Rays could possibly get a sandwhich draft pick as compensation after the season if he signs with another team.