Back to the Rays Report

Roger Mooney

Roger Mooney covers the Tampa Bay Rays for The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8. He has covered the Rays since their first season in 1998, including 11 years for the Bradenton Herald. Roger has also covered Florida, South Florida and Florida State football, the Bucs and the Lightning.

 @RMooneyTrib
 TBO_Rays
Send us your questions

More Links:

• Schedule/Results
• Player Stats
• Team Stats

Most Recent Entries

• Robinson product Gibson advances to NCAA track finals
• Panini previews Gold Standard autographs
• UD unveils Military Machines inserts for 2012 Goodwin Champions set
• Rays @ BoSox: Guyer out for the season, Jennings close to returning and lineups
• USF softball: It’s game day
• Weekly Tampa Bay fishing report
• Rays at BoSox: Rivalry renewed
• Karen Cooley returns as Zephyrhills girls swimming coach
• USF beats Pitt, stays alive
• The Nerds head north
• Jeffrey Shank out as Gulf boys basketball coach
• Berkeley Prep captures Academic Team Champion Award - again
• This week’s signings and offers
• Berkeley Prep wins FHSAA Academic Award standings
• Shank out as Gulf boys hoops coach

More

• Bucs Report -Tribune staff
• Rays Report - Roger Mooney
• Bolts Report - Erik Erlendsson
• Bulls Report
• Prep Report - Hillsborough
• Prep Report - Pasco
• Prep Report - Region
• Prep Report - Recruiting Updates
• Prep Report - Football
• Go Fishing: On The Waterfront
• The Sports Bookie - Bob D'Angelo
• Gators Report - Tribune staff
• Youth Sports Report
• NFL Draft Report
• Go Ask: Frank's Tacklebox
• Bucified Bert Blog
• BUK Power - Bucs Fan Blog
• Pigskin Preacher - NFL Fan Blog
• Breakfast Bonus - Tom McEwen
• Highlands Sports

Monthly Archives

• May 2012
• April 2012
• March 2012
• February 2012
• January 2012
• December 2011

Is Blalock in Rays DH plans?

Posted Mar 23, 2010 by Roger Mooney

Updated Mar 23, 2010 at 02:54 PM

ROGER MOONEY
CLEARWATER There was some head-scratching when the Rays signed Hank Blalock to a minor league contract March 8. What were the Rays going to do with another first baseman/designated hitter whose skills appear in decline?

But in the past two weeks, Blalock has opened a few eyes, most notably those of manager Joe Maddon.

“I think Blalock coming in and doing as well as he has probably raised questions that I did not anticipate in the beginning,” Maddon said before Tuesday’s game with the Phillies at Bright House Field.

The two-time All-Star whose career hit a bump during the 2007 and 2008 seasons because of a shoulder injury, has displayed some of his old skills at the plate during his seven games.

The left-hander is hitting .278 with a .611 slugging percentage and a .409 on-base percentage. Four of his five hits have been for extra bases – three doubles and a home run.

“He can open up different options in regard to the DH role,” Maddon said. “I’m not taking anything away from Pat (Burrell). (Blalock) just permits you to do some different things on a certain day. It gives us more options, and the fact that if he continues along this pace, which I anticipate, I anticipate him to really start swinging the bat well over the last couple of weeks, it’s going to make it interesting.”

Burrell, in the final year of a two-year deal that will pay him $9 million this season, is batting .200 this spring. This after a dismal 2009 when he hit .221 with 14 homers and 64 RBIs.

Maddon said Tuesday he hopes Burrell gets hot this spring just to boost Burrell’s confidence and to bring a little momentum into the season.

It’s hard to see the Rays using two designated hitters, especially when one is paid $9 million.

On the other hand, Blalock can play first base and third, making him the back up for Carlos Peña and Evan Longoria.

Of course, the Rays have switch-hitter Willy Aybar to perform those roles.

Blalock’s contract allows him to opt-out April 1 and seek a spot on another team if he feels there’s no place for on the Rays and he doesn’t want to open the season at Triple A Durham.

The Rays signed Blalock as part of their never-ending quest to add depth.

Maddon had always seen Blalock from the other dugout. Having spent time with him during the past two weeks, Maddon is impressed with Blalock’s makeup.

Maddon also likes the changes Blalock has made to his game.

“Look at his year last year, a lot of power (25 home runs), batting average (.234), on-base percentage (.277) not good, so he was all or nothing,” Maddon said. “He was not very patient, obviously. He’s working better at-bats already. I know he understands the importance of all that.”