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Forum: Talk Rays
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Within his first official hours as a Ray, veteran outfielder Cliff Floyd said he wasn’t much of a talker. He also said the kind of things that weren’t heard emanating from the Rays’ clubhouse during the 2007 season, which is an indication of the difference the 35-year-old might be able to make when dropped into the mix with a young team that gained plenty of experience last year.
“I was looking over the roster and looking at the position they’ve put themselves in and what Andrew [Friedman has] done to assemble a good team and thought it was good for my family and myself to come there and play some good baseball,” Floyd said on a conference call this afternoon after agreeing to a contract with the Rays. “I know what other people want to say outside of our organization right now, but talk is talk and hopefully we’ll come to spring training with a different agenda and ready to win some games next year.”
Floyd will get a guaranteed $2.75 million this season with an opportunty to earn an additional $2 million in incentives based on plate appearances in a deal that also includes a team option for 2009. Here’s how the option will work: Whatever Floyd makes in 2008, including the incentives he reaches, would be his base salary for 2009 if the team picks up the option. So if he hits all of his incentives in ‘08, his starting salary for ‘09 would be $4.75 million. Whatever that figure is, he could earn an additional $2 million in incentives in 2009. If the Rays decline the option year, they’ll pay Floyd a $250,000 buyout.
Friedman said he sees Floyd splitting time fairly evenly between right field and DH, though the distribution of playing time will depend on the handedness of the pitchers the Rays are facing and the status of Jonny Gomes and Rocco Baldelli. Floyd mentioned the allure of the DH several times in the conference call. He has spent the vast majority of his 15-year career in the National League, and he’s looking forward to giving his legs something of a break on a regular basis by taking advantage of the DH slot. He has had leg problems throughout his career but said he feels better now than he has in recent off-seasons.
“If you’re going to give me a day off, you can give me a day off and still give me four at-bats,” he said. “I feel like I can help this team tremendously.”
In addition to filling an on-field need as a lefty-hitting outfielder, Floyd also should be a significant help to the Rays in the clubhouse. Between he and Troy Percival, the Rays will have the kind of been-there, done-that leadership they were missing last season. Floyd acknowledged his experience should be helpful, but emphasized that serving as a mentor is not his primary goal.
“I’m not coming in to teach and play the big veteran guy [role],” he said. “I’m coming in to win some games. I want them to know I’m here to win and help them win, get this thing going.”
Posted by Matt, Tampa on 12/19 at 01:29 PM
I have to say, while it was a productive move it seems to be a waste. Why pay a platoon guy 3 million dollars of a 35 million dollar payroll? I think, if they stay true to those constraints, that 3 million could have been better spent. I think a back-up middle infielder/3B(in case Longoria isnt ready) and a LHP in the bullpen were much bigger problems. 95% of teams have at least 2 lefties in the pen the Rays had ZERO last yr. I think at least one is more important than an over-the-hill platoon OF.
Posted by Hugh, Crystal River on 12/19 at 09:36 AM
It is always interesting that bloggers are so negative. Who made some individual that NEVER played baseball at any level above T ball an expert? Given the talent level of the free agents and the asking price what would you have the club do?
I am optimistic, blend of many young players with some vets. This is a solid club with the addition of the new pitchers. The young pitchers have matured a year and should be better. This should be the best club in Rays history.
I bet Garza has his act together better than the above blogger.
Posted by Joe P, on 12/19 at 09:25 AM
Great signing for the money. If healthy, Floyd is still an above average player from an offensive standpoint. Especially against right handed pitchers, where we really needed help.
As for Prior, there is a much better chance that one or two of our young pitchers will be ready to assume a major role this season than there is that Prior will be healthy enough to pitch in the majors. As it is, he won’t be ready until the end of May in a best case scenario. Prior is never ready in the best case scenario. He’ll start maybe 10 games for someone this season, and he would cost a lot more than Floyd.
Posted by Joe, Odessa, FL on 12/18 at 08:48 PM
Unfortunately, another waste of time and money. Could have been better utilized on Mark Prior, with this same kind of incentive contract. Although somewhat of a health risk, potential could be huge if he returns to form. Giving up Delmon Young breaks up the best young outfield in the game, and for what, a mentally unstable pitcher. How are we goung to produce those runs and RBIs thae DY created? Surely not Gomes. Hopeful Baldelli will be healthy. This team is not as far off as most think.
Posted by Greg M, Tampa, FL on 12/18 at 05:03 PM
paying this guy 3-5 million dollars isn’t peanuts that’s anywhere from 10-15 percent of our payroll - seriously we would have been better off going with the young kids and locking some of them up long term.
Posted by Mike Lewis, Plant City on 12/18 at 08:44 AM
Rick : Ruggiano may get the shot in place of Gomes who had 126 K’s in 348
AB’s in 2007. He only batted .244 and his glove and arm are only fair.
Posted by Dave, Durham, NC on 12/18 at 12:29 AM
Rick, how did you determine that Ruggiano’s fielding is “horrible”? Have you actually seen him play in person? I don’t think that he’s a Gold Glove outfielder or anything, but he’s certainly adequate in left or right field, and definitely not horrible.
Posted by Fred Garvin, Bradenton on 12/18 at 12:13 AM
Floyd’s numbers per plate appearance last year were much better than Delmon Young’s. The Rays RF platoon will easily outproduce what Young did last year and probably what Young will do next year. The haters will always be haters no matter what the Rays do.
Posted by Rick Hourigan, Sarasota on 12/17 at 11:49 PM
Ruggiano strikes out too much for me. He struck out 151 times out in 482 AB’s in Durham last season. His power is okay but his fielding is just horrible. If you leave Floyd to hitting right handed pitching as the Cubs did last year it might work. Gomes hit better than 300 vs lefty’s last year. The key is getting Baldelli to get 400 AB’s. Rocco got 364 AB’s in 06 so it seems possible. GomerFloyDelli might be a good 5, 6 slot for Rays next season.
Posted by Joseph A. Perez, Franklin, NC on 12/17 at 10:54 PM
Vince, I agree with your question. I was also impressed with what I have seen and been hearing about Ruggiano.
I do, however, agree with signing a veteran left-hand bat, if just for the bench and as a pinch-hitter. You need leadership and role players to win.
Posted by Mike Pietrzyk, Valrico on 12/17 at 04:48 PM
another has-been for peanuts…..how ‘bout a blockbuster deal, Mr. Friedman??
Posted by vince, tampa on 12/17 at 04:13 PM
ok so what about ruggiano?whats the deal,the guy has been an allstar in every league he has played in and certainly looks ready to win the job in right but nobody is talking about him,instead we sign a 35 year old washed up bum who cant stay healthy..doesnt make much sense,i applaud the rays for signing players but wonder what to make of the ruggiano situation.
Posted by olaf berserker, wesley chapel on 12/17 at 04:00 PM
On dukes. YES.
Posted by Mike Robbins, Tampa on 12/17 at 02:48 PM
Floyd has been done as player for about four years now. He has hot streaks, but strikes out way too much now and is prone to injury.
Posted by Gary, Olney, Maryland on 12/17 at 02:17 PM
ok tell me the truth. Is Elijah Dukes as bad as we’re hearing?
Posted by Mr. Spring Training, Tampa on 12/17 at 01:54 PM
WHO CARES!!!!!
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Posted by Charlie Troeger, Auburndale on 12/24 at 10:48 AM
We must be starving to for information to even be debating about this. First we are upset because we don’t spend enough money and now we are upset because we spend to much. The Rays seam to be heading in the right direction. Let’s cut them some slack and encourage them to spend all the money so they can forget about building a stadium without AC. That would be their worst nightmare.